TODAY'S WOMAN: Buying wisely, just what you need
Gleefully buying every baby gadget going is part of the fun when you're expecting your first child. But by the time when your third baby is on the way, practicality has most definitely kicked in.
"I certainly suffered from new mum syndrome," recalls Beauchief's Sarah Tully. "I bought everything in sight. It was great fun, she says. "With your first, you've no idea what you're going to need, so you buy the lot.
"And it certainly never crossed my mind to buy anything secondhand."
READ MORE: Nearly new bargains for baby, from NCT
The 43-year-old, whose third baby is due on August 18, has seen the light, though - at an NCT sale at Nether Edge earlier this month.
"I was amazed to discover how popular the sales are; there were queues outside the doors," she comments. "It was really well organised and there was a huge range of babies and children's clothes, toys and equipment."
Sarah bought a Moses basket compete with bedding for 10, a baby gym for 15 and armsful of clothes for 25.
"Prices were really low - I got such a lot for 50."
Sarah, who is mum to Daisy, 8, and 4-year-old Merlin, decided on secondhand third time around from an entirely practical viewpoint.
"Experience has taught me some valuable lessons. I now know exactly what I need and don't need," she says.
"The only problem is, though, that I've got rid of nearly everything I used for my first two children so I needed to buy again.And when your family is about to grow to five, cost is a big issue."
Discovering the buggy she had set her cap at was going to cost as much as a secondhand car made her decide to rein her horns in.
"The one thing you've got to get right is the buggy," she says.
"I learned that lesson when I sent my husband and his dad to buy Daisy's pram. What a mistake that was. It proved to be a testosterone purchase. The buggy was huge and looked like a tank. There was this tiny little baby in this monstrous four-wheel drive of a buggy that was an absolute nightmare to get on the bus."
After "thorough research", Sarah has decided to spend a hefty 389 on a buggy she feels sure will fit the bill perfectly.
"It's a Quinny Buzz with adjustable handlebars and a good write-up," she says knowledgeably. "But its pricetag means it's the only new item I am going to buy. "
She had contemplated finding things on Ebay, though having to buy items unseen was putting her off. Then she found out about the NCT sales.
"I'm convinced. It's a fantastic system - everyone's a winner. The sellers, the buyers and the NCT all benefit," she says.
"I've got no problem at all with buying secondhand things for my new baby and I don't see why anyone else should have either. It makes so much sense. Most baby clothes and equipment are only used for a couple of months before the baby outgrows them.
I'd love to see the sales catching on and I wish more NCT sales could be held in areas of Sheffield where incomes are lower.
"And when my exorbitantly priced buggy has been outgrown, it will definitely be passed on at an NCT sale."
What do you think? Add your comment below.
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Friday 10 February 2012
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