Our community knows we love supporting brands that align with our sustainable values, especially in the world of children's toys and gear, a sector known for joy but also significant waste. Although buying second-hand for children is still a relatively new concept and can raise concerns, many brands are excellent at educating us about its benefits, debunking misconceptions, and making it easy for families to find what they need without stressing their budgets, space in their living spaces, or the planet. One standout in this area is GoodBuy Gear, a second-hand marketplace making a significant impact.
We had the pleasure of interviewing Maddy McLlean Glaser, Head of Marketing at GoodBuy Gear, to gain insight into the brand and its mission.
PlanToys: Can you introduce yourselves and GoodBuy Gear? How did the concept originate, and what are your proudest achievements to date?
MMG: Hello, I'm Maddy McLean Glaser, the Head of Marketing at GoodBuy Gear. GoodBuy Gear was born from a simple but impactful idea: to create a safe, convenient, and sustainable way for parents to buy and sell high-quality, pre-loved baby and kid gear. The concept originated when our co-founder, Kristin Langenfeld, saw firsthand the immense amount of baby gear that goes unused and often ends up in landfills and the time it took to trade-off and sell items within the community. They wanted to make it easier for families to resell and access affordable, gently used items while promoting sustainability.
Our proudest achievements to date include successfully rehoming over 750,000 pounds of baby and items with the support of our GreenGear Coalition— a group of parent shoppers and nearly 50 esteemed retail & brand partners who help recirculate open box, returned and used goods instead of throwing them away.
What products and services does GoodBuy Gear offer?
GoodBuy Gear provides a seamless buying and selling experience, where sellers can easily recirculate their items and buyers can find what they need via our online marketplace at a fraction of the retail price. Our online marketplace offers a wide range of products for resale including strollers, car seats, high chairs, toys, and basically anything else families need to raise their children, aside from clothing.
What are the advantages of buying and selling on GoodBuy Gear?
The advantages of buying on GoodBuy Gear include access to high-quality, thoroughly inspected items at affordable prices, which helps families save money and shop with confidence. The average open box item listed on our site is 50% off retail and gently used items can be found up to 90% off retail! For sellers, it's a hassle-free way to declutter and earn extra cash while knowing their items will be put to good use by another family. For retailers, brands and manufacturers, it’s an efficient way to keep returns out of landfills.
With so many reselling platforms available, what makes GoodBuy Gear unique? (We know the answer to this, but we'd love to hear your perspective!)
GoodBuy Gear stands out due to our commitment to quality and safety. Other reselling platforms, such as Facebook Marketplace and even other well-known baby-specific resale brands, do not have quality control guidelines. Every item we sell undergoes a rigorous inspection and cleaning process to ensure it meets our high standards. In fact, we have the largest QC database in the industry! This also enables GoodBuy Gear to be the only marketplace to offer a proprietary car seat safety check process, meaning we can list gently used car seats for resale among our other offerings. Every product listing includes photos of the actual product, not stock imagery, to help customers analyze the exact condition and shop secondhand gear with confidence.
What should sellers consider when reselling on GoodBuy Gear?
Sellers should consider the condition of their items and ensure they are clean and functional. It’s also helpful to have all the parts and accessories that came with the item originally. The better the condition, the more sellers will get paid. It’s also important for sellers to trust our pricing algorithm because the algorithm knows what price point is best for sellthrough. Most importantly, sellers should feel confident that GoodBuy Gear will handle the heavy lifting, from pick-up to final sale.
What should buyers keep in mind when purchasing a pre-loved item?
Buyers should always review the item description and photos carefully to understand the condition of the item. Our inspection process ensures that all items are functional and suitable for resale, but understanding any minor wear and tear is important. It’s also helpful to have an idea of what you need and any specific features you’re looking for in a product. Trust that our team has thoroughly vetted each item for quality, but if you’re not as comfortable with a few imperfections then start with our open box inventory, which just means the box has been opened but the product inside has never been used.
We love your toy category, but of course we are a little biased! What are your favorite types of toys to offer on the platform and why?
We love offering educational and developmental toys that stimulate creativity and learning. Wooden toys, in particular, are a favorite because of their durability and eco-friendliness. Brands like PlanToys, which focus on sustainability and quality, are always a hit with our community. These toys not only provide endless entertainment but also support the cognitive and motor skills development of children.
Could you describe your customer care department and the various methods people can use to reach out with questions before or after making a purchase?
Our customer care team is dedicated to providing exceptional service to ensure a positive experience for both buyers and sellers. We offer multiple channels for support, including email, chat on our website and DMs on social media. Our team is knowledgeable and ready to assist with any questions or concerns, whether it’s about product details, the buying process, or post-purchase support. We strive to respond quickly and have recently integrated more AI into our customer care processes to ensure we efficiently meet our customers’ needs.
Philadelphia fulfillment center
Does GoodBuy Gear have a marketplace of its own? How will a buyer know if they are purchasing from a reseller, or through the company directly?
Yes, GoodBuy Gear operates its own marketplace where all items are listed and sold through our platform (goodbuygear.com). This means that whether an item comes from an individual seller or from one of our third party partners, it has been inspected, approved, listed and shipped to its new home by our team.
What are some tips you can offer to people who are completely new to GoodBuy Gear, beginning with the website. What is the best way to navigate it?
For those new to GoodBuy Gear, we recommend starting with our search bar to quickly find specific items and brands. You can also browse by category to see the full range of products we offer. Be sure to check out our filters to narrow down your search by condition, price, and brand. When in doubt, place a smaller ‘test’ order before going all in. We often find once a parent purchases an item with us and is happy with the experience they are more comfortable placing larger repeat orders (not to mention it gets addicting once you see how much money you can save!) Don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on new arrivals and special offers, too.
We advocate for buying and selling secondhand items to prolong the life of products, particularly children's products, which have a significant environmental impact. What advice do you have for those new to buying or selling secondhand items? Are there any common myths you'd like to bust?
One piece of advice for those new to buying or selling secondhand items is to focus on quality. Look for items that are built to last and can be easily cleaned and maintained so that you can resell it again. A common myth is that selling secondhand is time-consuming and difficult, but our white-glove service makes it easy and convenient. Another common myth is that secondhand items are often in poor condition. At GoodBuy Gear, we ensure that every item meets our strict quality standards, so buyers can feel confident in their purchases. And as mentioned previously, it’s also important to identify what level of secondhand you’re comfortable with. Are you okay with purchasing a perfectly functional item that may have a stain on it, or would you prefer to know that an item is an open box return from a brand, retailer or manufacturer?
We love your commitment to environmental responsibility, relieving consumers from navigating this alone. How can brands, including those different from GoodBuy Gear, contribute to environmental awareness and inspire their customers?
Brands can contribute to environmental awareness by being transparent about their sustainability practices, encouraging customers to make eco-friendly choices and joining our GreenGear Coalition! Brands should also engage with their communities to educate and inspire them to adopt more sustainable habits. Collaboration with like-minded organizations and participating in initiatives that support environmental causes can further amplify their impact, which is exactly why over 50 brands, retailers and manufacturers have already joined us in keeping their returned goods out of landfills.
What is next for GoodBuy Gear? Are there any exciting developments in the pipeline that you can share?
We’re constantly innovating and expanding our services to better serve our community. Some exciting developments in the pipeline include enhancing our technology and site experience, creating more personalized product recommendations and marketing content based on caregivers’ exact shopping habits and expanding our product offerings. We’re also working on new partnerships and initiatives to further our mission of sustainability and affordability.
How can people keep up with the latest updates? Which social media platforms are you active on?
When you visit goodbuygear.com definitely sign up for our email and SMS communications to receive the latest GoodBuy Gear updates. You can also follow us @goodbuygear across Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn where we share product highlights, customer stories, sustainability tips, company news and more. Our blog, ‘The Village’ also features useful articles and updates.
Is there anything else you would like to share?
We’re incredibly grateful to our community of parents and caregivers who have embraced our mission and helped us grow. Together, we’re making a positive impact on families and the environment. We’re always here to help and support you on your parenting journey, so don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions or feedback. Thank you for reading and welcome to the GoodBuy Gear family!