Playsets/swingsets - did you buy one?

[electron_blue]

And do I really need to spend $2000+ if I'm to get one that they will put together? What are the alternatives? Unfortunately, me putting it together on a long weekend while my 4 yr old runs around and "helps" does not sound like fun to me.

So far I've found that Rainbow and CedarCreations will come to my rescue, but for a boatload of money. Any other ideas?

[wildeyed]

1. We love ours.

It was expensive, but I don't think it was that expensive. We do plan to live in our house until the kids are grown. I would not have bothered if I thought we might move soon.

I noticed that Costco sells a few different sets. Maybe price that and then call a handyman service, see how much the want to assemble it for you, see if you can get in for under $1000. Either that, or hire a sitter to watch the kidlet while you assemble it yourself.

[electron_blue]

2. I'll see if we have a Costco in town

I kind of doubt it since I've been here for 9 years and never heard of it. But ya never know.

I thought about the sitter thing.... And I could buy a socket wrench set like they recommend, plus an electric screwdriver. Plus handle all the lumber myself (would be a struggle given my low upper body strength). I remember helping my sister put hers together years ago and it was a lot harder than we thought it would be. Plus in the end I remember us taking some short cuts with it just to get it over with.

I like the idea of hiring a handyman (handywoman?) service better.

[electron_blue]

3. Not costco, or Lowes

Home Depot wants a lot less than Rainbow, then then you have to pick out all the lumber and drill all the holes from scratch (not predrilled or marked, in other words). I could pay a handy man to do that, which raises the price another $500 or so. Hmmmm

good news - a friend told me that city paper's classified ads have used playsets. bad news - yes, but they're rainbow and still over $3000.

[wildeyed]

5. Do you have a freecycle list in your area?

It is a Yahoo group where people offer and request items, but no money changes hands. You could put out a request for a play set. Someone might have one for you for free if you are willing to pick it up.

Our play set is a basic model from Creative Playthings. I think we paid $1000 and that included delivery. The set up was additional, but not too much more. $3000 seems like a lot. $1000 seems like a lot, too, but like I said, for us, it will be worth it.

[electron_blue]

6. I hadn't thought of freecycle, thanks!

I'll check creative playthings, too. $1000 doesn't seem like "too much" to me.

[MassLiberal]

4. we bought a used one

through the classifieds, and I think we paid about $200 for it. It's not one of the "name" swingsets, but it's made of wood and it works just fine, and now that my son is no longer very interested in it I am glad we didn't spend more on it. Used can be good--just make sure it's in decent shape.

[electron_blue]

7. I'll keep checking the classifieds... Hopefully there'll be more than

the lonely one in there now for over $3000.

[melv]

8. we gave our boys a choice

which one did they want? The nice, fancy wooden one ($2000 base - no bells, whistles) or the inexpensive metal one ($250, 2 swings, rocket rider, slide, adult swing, corkscrew).


3 years later the corkscrew still works fine...

[electron_blue]

9. where'd you get this $250 wonder???? You give me hope...