There is nothing wrong with purchasing a new item but it is not always necessary to spend so much money on a product that can be bought second hand and serve you well. However, this is not always the case – some items should be bought brand new or you risk spending more money on repairs and maintenance when you get it from a secondhand shop. In this article, we suggest you a list of items which we recommend buying secondhand and a list that includes items that should be bought brand new so you rest assured you will get a quality product. No matter whether you look for an item online, in the stores or on a yard sale, make sure to have this list on your mind and make the smartest decision for you and your budget!
- Let`s start with the things you`d better take from a neighbour or your local secondhand store.
- You know that every kid is obsessed with having as many toys as possible but they quickly start piling in the corner as your little one loses interest after a few days. What is the point in spending money on brand new toys when you can buy cheaper slightly used ones? Usually, you can find toys that are barely worn in yard sales just because your neighbours` kid decided after 2 weeks that he doesn't like the toy anymore. Save unnecessary expenses – we advise you to the same when your kid decides that he or she wants to take up a new hobby. Sell his old toys - your bank account will thank you!
- Speaking of kids, the same goes when you are buying a bike for your little one – you know that he/ will inevitably fall and may damage the brands – buying a new bike is smart only when the kid is old enough to he can ride it for the years to come.
- Specialty dresses are very expensive! Usually, you can`t wear the same dress twice as it is too fancy and remarkable so many people choose to sell them. There is nothing wrong with buying a dress that was worn once or twice – don`t spend an overwhelming price for a piece of clothing you can find half of the price on a yard sale. Inspect carefully for wear and tear and any stains – you can also give it for dry cleaning to eliminate any odours.
- Buying a new vehicle can cost you a real fortune. Fortunately, many people take the smart decision to buy a secondhand car and save a lot of money. Even if you pay for all the essential mechanic checks, you will still be able to have a decent car without breaking the bank!
- If you are a gardener or you are considering taking up this hobby, we highly recommend you to buy the gardening tools secondhand. As most of the time the tools are dirty anyway, you should not worry how they look like as long as they are still functional. If you need any further assistance, you can always contact your local gardeners for help and advice!
- You know that cast iron pots and skillet can be expensive. A fact you may not know is that the older the cast iron cookware is, the better! You can re-season the pot and use it without a hassle and unnecessary expenses!
- Do you play a music instrument? If you do or consider taking up lessons, get a second hand instrument. Don't forget to carefully inspect for any damages and buy new reeds or anything needed. Clean and sanitise them and they are ready to serve you!
- Plush is an appealing material but buying anything plush may get you into a risky situation for your budget. If you are planning to buy a plush sofa, carefully check for any odours as they may be very stubborn to remove. The upholstery cleaners in your area recommend you run steam cleaning to eliminate bacteria and unpleasant smells. However, you are still not recommended to buy secondhand plush items.
- If you have a little one and you need to buy a baby crib or a car seat, better purchase a new one. You will not be able to save money but safety comes first – you can`t risk buying a product that can be damaged. Even if it seems alright, you never know if the seat has been in an accident or installed incorrectly in the first place and cracked when taken apart.
- If you are a keen photographer and you want to save some money on cameras and camera lenses, you may not be pleased to hear that doing that is not recommended. Yes, quality cameras can be costly but you never know if the seller is telling you the truth about the period of exploitation. Before buying it, have some professionally check it for you – some cracks on the lenses can`t be seen with a naked eye.
- A vacuum cleaner may seem tempting to buy because of its low cost on a yard sale. However, this tends to be one of those products that people wouldn't normally sell if it was in a great perfect condition.
- Safety first – no need to explain in details why buying bike helmets secondhand is not a smart decision. You wear a helmet in order to protect you from any potential dangers – if you don`t know the history behind the helmet, how can you be sure that it will take a hit properly without you being hit?