When it comes to shopping, there are certain things you can buy used and other things you should buy brand new.
Some items you should never buy used include mattresses, underwear, and cosmetics. You wouldn’t want to purchase products that have been previously owned by others if there’s any potential for germ infestations. When you’re shopping at Costco specifically, consider avoiding these 10 items altogether.
To compile this list of items you should buy used, 24/7 Tempo consulted several sources. These include The Simplicity Habit and Money Crashers.
Books
Just because a book has been read once by an owner, it doesn’t mean it should be placed on a shelf to collect dust for the rest of its existence. Books are written to be read by as many people as possible! Authors have a goal in mind when they tell a story across multiple bound pages. For this reason, never be afraid to buy used books. Simply make sure the pages of the books you’re interested in are secure so they doesn’t gradually fall apart while you’re in the middle of reading them.
Sports gear
When people purchase sports gear for the first time, they’re typically aware that the gear is going to go through tons of wear and tear. Soccer cleats, bouncing basketballs, field cones, and boxing gloves are just a few examples of sports gear items that don’t always stand the test of time when aggressively used. Since sports gear gets beaten up no matter how many owners have been involved along the way, it’s a brilliant idea to buy these items used.
Bicycles
Why should a used bicycle be exiled to the garbage? If someone’s outgrown their bicycle or decided they no longer enjoy biking as a form of exercise, it’s perfectly fine to sell the bicycle to another person. Used bicycles are far more affordable than brand new options from sports stores. Make sure to do a full inspection on the used bicycle in your sights to make sure the bells and whistles are in order. A full inspection of the handle bars, seat, and breaks is necessary to protect your sense of safety.
Non-intimate clothing
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As long as the used clothing you’re purchasing was never worn directly on intimate areas of someone else’s body, you’re good to go! Bras, underwear, and swimsuits are considered intimate items based on where they lay on the human body. For hygienic reasons, it’s best to avoid those things. Non-intimate clothing items include jackets, T-shirts, pants, dresses, skirts, aprons, shorts, blazers, and sweatpants. It’s possible to find used clothing at places like Goodwill or Salvation Army.
Musical instruments
Musical instruments were designed to be played! Some music lovers take time out of their lives to learn the necessary skills to play certain instruments. People with these particular talents should have access to musical instruments, whether they’ve been previously used or not!
When a guitar is perfectly tuned up, songs will continue sounding beautifully whether they’re played by the guitar’s first owner or 10th owner. Sometimes, certain instruments need small upgrades if they aren’t in tiptop shape, but buying them used should never be a fear.
Gardening and household tools
Gardening and household tools tend to be incredibly strong and sturdy items. They hold up against a lot of wear and tear, which means getting your hands on used tools makes a lot of sense. A wrench, screwdriver, or shovel that’s been used by someone else in the past will still be just as helpful in the hands of a new owner. Keep in mind that it’s important to pay attention to the details of your chosen used tools before buying them to make sure there aren’t any potential hazards.
Jewelry
Jewelry can be considered super expensive, depending on the style and material of your dreams. Jewelry made out of silver, gold, or diamonds typically has a larger price tag attached to it in upscale stores. For this reason, it’s perfectly fine to seek out used jewelry that might have a lower price point. One common place to uncover gorgeous jewelry without breaking the bank happens to be local pawn shops.
Pet cages
Some pet owners appreciate the use of cages during the training process. Dealing with overly rambunctious pets who lose control when you have visiting guests or you’re trying to get some sleep can be frustrating. In circumstances like that, pet cages come in handy. As long as the cage has been thoroughly cleaned before using it with your own pet, it’s highly unlikely your furry friend will ever notice.
Non-stuffed toys
People should feel comfortable buying used non-stuffed toys for little ones to play with. Stuffed toys like teddy bears are hot beds for germs since the material is soft, fluffy, and absorbant. Non-stuffed toys like blocks, Legos, Barbie dolls, and Hotwheels cars can be wiped down and sanitized without an issue.
Video game consoles
As long as a video game console is still in working condition, buying it used is a great way to save money. Video game consoles can be pricey when they are brand new out of the box. If you can track down a video game console that’s been gently used in the past, you’ll have the chance to play all your favorite games at your leisure. Some of the most popular video game consoles you can purchase from previous owners include the Playstation, X-Box, and Nintendo Switch.
Sewing machines
Sewing machines are some of the handiest and most useful items in the world. No one loves dealing with an unsightly tear or hole on their favorite piece of clothing. Sewing machines solve that problem within just a few minutes. Sewing machines can easily be bought used if you can be sure that all parts are still functioning properly.
Holiday décor
Holidays are annual celebrations! Since they’re annual, they only come around once a year. Does it make sense to invest tons of money on brand new holiday décor when celebrations come and go so quickly? Instead of buying decorations that are straight out of the package on holidays like Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or Easter, it’s perfectly acceptable to buy used holiday décor if it still looks presentable.
Glassware
Glassware can be thoroughly cleaned and sanitized, which means it’s perfectly fine to purchase it used. It’s easy to find cheap glassware at vintage stores that have been used in the past. The same way professional restaurants clean and sanitize dishes that are used and reused by millions of guests, you can ensure your used glassware is hygienic enough to use for yourself at home.
Vehicles
The truth of the matter about vehicles is that they lose value as soon as you drive them off the lot. Regardless of a vehicle’s price point when you first picked it up from a dealership, it immediately depreciates within minutes of your ownership. To top it off, vehicles are a huge liability. Car accidents happen more often than anyone likes to admit. All of this said, purchasing used vehicles is a smart thing to do.
Houses
Some people prefer the idea of moving into a brand new house that’s been constructed specifically for them. These folks tend to have a chosen blueprint in mind. Others are perfectly fine with the idea of buying homes that have been lived in before. Investing in homeownership is one of the costliest things people do in our society.
Unless you have the means to develop your own property on a plot of land, odds are, you’re going to end up living inside at home where someone else previously resided. This is completely normal and generally encouraged. Now that you know about 15 awesome items you can comfortably buy used, click here to read about the 15 things you should never buy second-hand.