“How much should I pay for used cloth diapers?” “How much should I ask for my cloth diapers?” “What does EUC mean?” “What exactly is a ‘very good used condition’ diaper?”
*edit* First part of this posted here: https://change-diapers.com/2012/02/used-diaper-condition-euc-vguc-guc-uc-etc-definitions/
As I posted on my Facebook page last night, I’ve had a project on my mind for a while (like, since I started cloth diapering.)
The used cloth diaper trade is booming, and experienced buyers/sellers likely know what a fair price to pay is. However, lots of people who are new to cloth diapering may look to used diapers to build their stash on a budget, and may not know what they should be paying.
On the opposite side, people who are looking to sell off their stashes/diapers they aren’t using for the first time don’t know what to ask. They don’t want to ask too much or too little, and “make me an offer” with no asking price tends to get low or no offers.
There are descriptions out there of different diaper “conditions,” but I think it would be nice to have explanations of the most commonly used descriptions such as like new (LN), excellent used condition (EUC), very good used condition (VGUC), good used condition (GUC), used condition (UC) and needs repair (that one’s self explanatory!) along with photo examples of each. This would not only help buyers know what to expect (multiple photos on a diaper listing are great, but sometimes things are hard to see) but also to help sellers appropriately “rate” their diapers. Even if you’re not into buying or selling used diapers, you’ve likely seen listings, or conversations about listings that made you scratch your head and say “that’s excellent condition? On what planet??”
I’d also like to see/have/create a guideline for pricing diapers. Someone linked to a retailer that posted their pricing guidelines for each condition (% of retail) but I am well aware that there is far more risk involved in buying from an individual, and I also don’t know that blanket guidelines are appropriate for the personal side. For example, I would think that a “name brand” diaper would retain more value than a “cheapie” or “Ebay diaper.” I also think a well known WAHM’s diapers would retain more value than a new or unknown WAHM. I realize that % off guidelines would take into account the original cost new, so maybe that’s enough and I’m totally off base here thinking that reputation/longevity would affect the value retained.
I have no desire to start another huge project again, only find out it already has been/is being done. Do you think there is a need for this? Has it already been done? Again, I know there are EUC/VGUC etc. descriptions out there. I am thinking of descriptions with photos and pricing guidelines either by style, brand or category and by price ranges or % off. Like you’d go to KBB to determine the value of a used car. What do you think? (I have several ideas as to how I would do this but am open to other suggestions.)
Maria wants to live in a world where cloth diapers are the norm and moms can make parenting choices without judgement. When she’s not chasing her 18, 14 and 11-year old kids around, you might find her checking out the latest gadgets, organizing something (again) or exercising in the fresh air. 
I would love this! It was actually the very thing I was googling for. 😀 I want to sell off the part of my stash that we are not using. They are all still usable (some with no stains, and some with) but I am lost at what to charge for them. They would be great for a starter stash to see what works for them.
I posted the first part here: https://change-diapers.com/2012/02/used-diaper-condition-euc-vguc-guc-uc-etc-definitions/ come back in a few weeks-ish and hopefully I will have pricing too!
A blue book would be awesome! 🙂 Or even just a better standard for the EUC, VGUC etc. It’s so silly, but I get tired of seeing EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEUC. 😀 I like your plan!
sounds like a great idea, only one I could not do. I like best the idea of giving a clear definition of the condition. Drives me crazy when I see them as “EUC” and they are talking about all the staining that could just be sunned out. Well, if it can be sunned out, then why haven’t they done it? And if they don’t want to do it, then it should be a better price, gosh, $17 for BG that are EUC with stains, not cool, not cool at all.
If it starts at 10, it shouldn’t resell for 10 like maybe something that started at 17 would, for example.
umm, where are the listings for EUC and all that? I need to sell. no use to me some of them.. thanks!
Definitely something that would be a useful reference. Sound like a big undertaking considering there are so many brands/styles out there. I think name brand/longevity are important but are typically already factored into the original price of the diaper. Maybe factoring age into it ie a bg 4.0 and 3.0 originally retailed for about the same price but I’d pay more for a GUC 4.0 than a 3.0 just because it the current version, kwim?
My thought was to browse listings & also survey people who have bought/sold…then analyze & see if there is a pattern to it. Like are Rumparooz selling for 60% of retail for GUC vs 50% for Sunbaby, or do they all work out to the same %, kwim?
Yes, this is so needed. I have seen people trying to sell diapers that are not that good in shape close to the orginal price of the diaper plus shipping.
At the same time I’m with you am not in a place to take on a huge project by myself, I might beinterested in helping out with it though.
Yes, a great idea! I recently looked on Craigslist to find some used diapers. A woman was selling her used stash of BG 3.0. She wanted $20 a piece for them (local pick up). Oh, and they weren’t collectors items:) I emailed that I was interested, but wondered if the price was a typo as the new ones were only $18.
No response. It seemed that it mist have been a scam or something. Some poor person thinking they are getting a good deal will buy these and it’s not a good deal at all.
Having said that..pretty sure I’m not the person to put this together:)