Let me start by saying that I realize that "cheap" is a relative term here...What I view as cheap may not be what someone else does but let me share this awesome tip with you all!
My 3 year old son (turning 4 in a few days) has been begging for a John Deere Gator ride on toy, you know the outdoor motorized power ones? He had seen one at another child's home and he was smitten. The problem? They cost a FORTUNE!!! I mean that. Even on sale the least I have ever seen them for was $400 and sometimes they run as high as $500...FOR A CHILD's TOY!!! Ugh, what is a mama to do. I knew that not only my 3 year old would love this but also his younger brother as they would likely play together for hours all over the farm. Then there were also the memories of how much fun my older children had with a hand-me-down ride on jeep that they had for years. But, there was that price tag and there was NO WAY I could in my right mind pull that off.
So, I began looking everywhere for a used one, I looked at garage sales, craigslist, swap sites, etc. I mean I was on the hunt. I kept coming up short. This hunt went on for months...Even super old and beat up ones were going for around $150+.
Then it happened. Just this week. I was looking on craigslist and there it was...a post for a used gator. It was a little rough, but I hoped that a little TLC would make it at least a fun toy for the kids. And if not for Christmas then for birthday, afterall that could be a gift for 2 kids at once!
Here is what I came home with....yup- its a little rough. But just wait till you see it's transformation! And I only paid $75 for it
My 3 year old son (turning 4 in a few days) has been begging for a John Deere Gator ride on toy, you know the outdoor motorized power ones? He had seen one at another child's home and he was smitten. The problem? They cost a FORTUNE!!! I mean that. Even on sale the least I have ever seen them for was $400 and sometimes they run as high as $500...FOR A CHILD's TOY!!! Ugh, what is a mama to do. I knew that not only my 3 year old would love this but also his younger brother as they would likely play together for hours all over the farm. Then there were also the memories of how much fun my older children had with a hand-me-down ride on jeep that they had for years. But, there was that price tag and there was NO WAY I could in my right mind pull that off.
So, I began looking everywhere for a used one, I looked at garage sales, craigslist, swap sites, etc. I mean I was on the hunt. I kept coming up short. This hunt went on for months...Even super old and beat up ones were going for around $150+.
Then it happened. Just this week. I was looking on craigslist and there it was...a post for a used gator. It was a little rough, but I hoped that a little TLC would make it at least a fun toy for the kids. And if not for Christmas then for birthday, afterall that could be a gift for 2 kids at once!
Here is what I came home with....yup- its a little rough. But just wait till you see it's transformation! And I only paid $75 for it
It worked, it was only a few years old, and I had a plan. On the way home I spent another $8 on spray paint for plastic toys. Here we go. My sons helped to wash it (notice they are trying to drive away with soap suds on the hood). The gator had obviously been outside for some time as it seriously needed a bath.
Bath complete and now it was time to disassemble, these things seriously come apart into a hundred or more pieces, great for painting though! And, we were lucky enough to get the manual with ours so when I called the company (Peg Perego) I learned that if I wanted I could even order replacement parts.
Once apart, I began the makeover, just look at that amazing color! All from spray paint I bought at Lowes (just be sure to buy the kind specific to plastic)
Once apart, I began the makeover, just look at that amazing color! All from spray paint I bought at Lowes (just be sure to buy the kind specific to plastic)
The kids went down for a nap with the promise that daddy would put it all back together and it should be dry for them to use when they woke up.
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To say that mom and kids were pleased is a serious understatement. I was ecstatic!!! My total out of pocket for this project was $83, and some elbow grease.
I know for a fact I could turn around today and sell it for over $150 so that made it all the better (no, I was not planning on selling it but it made me feel good to know that I could totally get my money back out of it plus profit with no problems)
The boys ran all over the place with it until the battery was dead and it had to be recharged. This thing can hold up to 130 lbs so I know that for years to come this should be an enjoyment!
I know for a fact I could turn around today and sell it for over $150 so that made it all the better (no, I was not planning on selling it but it made me feel good to know that I could totally get my money back out of it plus profit with no problems)
The boys ran all over the place with it until the battery was dead and it had to be recharged. This thing can hold up to 130 lbs so I know that for years to come this should be an enjoyment!
