I went to Toy's R Us yesterday to get a better idea of what to get my 2 yr old for Christmas and while I really want to get him a train set I couldn't believe the prices. He loves trains, has a Lionel going around his room, couple toy trains and a GeoTrax "rope n ride". I came home and started looking on ebay at the geotrax(thinking I'd just expand off what he has) or wooden trains trying to find any cheaper then the stores. In most cases they want more+shipping. It's not that I can't afford it but the prices are just stupid. Geotrax wants $5.99 for 2 pieces of track. are you kidding me? And all the little "town sets" are $15-$20.... Then you have the wood sets $80-$120 plus all the accessories. If you've bought this stuff you know! It would take hundreds of dollars just to get it started. I did like the Imaginarium train table/set but even on sale it's somewhat expensive. So here's what I'm wondering...how many of you have trains, tractors, & other toys a 2yr old would like that you want out of your way, that I could buy somewhat cheap. Kind of a win win situation. A "personal garage sale" I just want him to have more then 3 things under the tree. I got most of his gifts off ebay last yr and he didn't know the difference. He was just excited to have all these new "to him" toys.
Have you tried Craig's List? Sometimes you can find 'garage sale' stuff there. :o)
Also, sometimes you can find the toys at Big Lots for cheaper than Toys R Us. . .
Good luck!
Hi C., my name is R., I live in Belle Plaine which is about 20 minutes south of Wichita. Just wondering if you have tried Atwoods in Derby. They are usually pretty cheap, my sister and brother-in-law got a wooden train set from there a couple of years ago for i believe about 15 dollars and my nephew loved it. They have since then upgraded to a big table train but he i think still plays with the other, i wil ask my sister about it and let you know if she is willing to sell it or just give it to you. my email is ____@____.com if you ever want to email me. Otherwise our church will be having a Church Giveaway for Christmas i think at the end of this month or the beginning of next, we give away toys and clothes to whoever might need them. if you want the info just let me know and i can get it for you. hope this helps a little, God bless
Try craigslist. I occasionally see train toys on the Wichita list.
Also plan on attending the "Just Between Friends" sale on Nov 20-22. Check out there website at JBFsale.com. THis is a great consignment event with everything you need for your kids. I do suggest going early if at all possible for the best selection. We have found some great deals on kids clothes and toys.
Oh, man! Too bad you didn't catch me before I sold our Thomas set. We had a huge collection of all the engines, from Thomas, James, Percy, all the way to Lady, some collector pieces, Christmas car, jewel car, circus car, etc. Tons of track, and I even threw in 4-5 Thomas videos. Sold the whole shootin match for $25 at my garage sale. It even included 2 battery powered engines that pull the whole train! Also extra track stuff like a landscape mat, trees, bridges and buildings, and it all fit in a nice carry case. I was rather sick about it, because we probably had over $150 in it, but people didn't know what that stuff was worth, and acted like I was stealing from them to mark my set $30! Hawkeye garage sales! In hindsight, I wouldn't have done that. My son was really attached to his Thomas stuff, he loved it so much, and I should have at least tried to get more out of it.
