While saving money by purchasing something used is often a good thing; if you don’t do it well, you’ll be wasting yourself more cash than if you bought it new. Many people learn this lesson after making the mistake of buying something of poor quality used; although some used products do offer a very good deal, there are others you should always avoid.
One example of an item that can be bought for cheap but of lower quality is a mattress. No matter how spotless it appears, be sure to be careful when purchasing a second-hand mattress. Depending on its storage place, you may never know if there are bugs and/or harmful allergens present. That means that even if you purchase a second-hand mattress for a great price, you are taking a significant risk with this product which can’t be measured by its cost. Conversely, the value of a good-quality mattress far outweighs any amount of money you might pay for one being cared for properly.
Shoes belong in the same category as mattresses. When people wear shoes, their feet sweat; therefore, shoes absorb what is on their feet (including foot smell, dirt, sweat, and bacteria). Even used shoes that have been used for light walking may contain the residue of other people’s foot patterns and foot smells (and bacteria). So, unless you want to go through the trouble of cleaning and disinfecting all of the bacteria and toxic substances that may be present in used shoes, it is much better to just buy new shoes if you plan to use them for exercise or long-distance walking.
There are used items that are virtually impossible to ruin. Books fall into this category. While you may pay less for a secondhand book than a new book, it will still read the same as a new book. Textbooks, novels, and non-fiction (in all variations) are very easily obtained secondhand, allowing you to save a significant amount of money; moreover, you can resell used books after you finish reading them.
Furniture is another item that can be safely purchased used as long as it is not upholstered. Furniture that does not contain upholstery includes tables, desks, bookcases, beds, and chairs. They can easily be examined to determine if they are in good condition, can easily be cleaned, and will not have any hidden nasty things inside them. In addition, almost everyone gives away their used furniture when moving.
It’s often possible to save huge amounts of money by purchasing pre-owned products rather than brand-new ones; sometimes you can save hundreds or thousands of dollars! But keep in mind that just because something was previously owned doesn’t mean it was a good purchase decision — you need to know the risks associated with buying pre-owned items and what kind of pre-owned items will provide the best value.
Hard drives are one type of product that is not a good idea to purchase used. Even if the hard drive seems to be in good condition, there is no way to determine how it was treated before. Hard drives can be subjected to excessive drops, heat, and vibration. Also, the information stored on a hard drive is generally of a higher value than the actual hard drive itself, so saving a few dollars on the hard drive can end up being very costly if all your data is lost later.
Hats are another product that fall into the “no thanks” category. Hats are considered personal items and can absorb sweat and oil from your head/body. Unless a hat has been previously purchased brand new or is a purely decorative accessory, many people do not find used hats to be attractive. While some people will not mind a used hat, there are also many people who will not wear a used hat.
Items that contain wheels and/or motors can be fantastic options relatively on the pre-owned market. One great example of this is bicycles. You can often find a solid quality used bike for significantly less money than the same bike would cost if you purchased it new. As long as you inspect the bike and are aware of potential repairs that need to be made, it can be a great choice to go with a used bike.
The principle behind purchasing used products is the same for all other items. Lawn care products, such as mowers, trimmers, and other tools, lose their initial value very quickly but are still useful for years. All they need is some basic maintenance to keep running for years more for a fraction of the amount that you would pay for a new version of that product.
The same is true for automobiles. New automobiles depreciate as soon as you drive them off the lot; purchasing a used automobile saves you from experiencing this horrible financial loss, and yet you will not lose any reliability or features. As long as the used automobile that you purchase has been properly inspected by a qualified mechanic, you will make one of the best financial decisions of your life.
Buying used for items that are soft, personal, or are used for hygiene is typically not advisable; however, for hard, durable, mechanical, or easy to clean items it usually is. Utilizing this basic filter will save you from a lot of heartache.
Occasionally, you will find a secondhand deal that will give you a great feeling of satisfaction. An almost new high-quality gas grill with a ton of accessories at a fraction (less than half) of the retail value is the kind of thing that shows you the power of used merchandise.
Buying used does not indicate that you are cheap; purchasing used is an intentional way to spend less on items that you do not use often while spending more on things that are necessary. Just because you find a “great deal” does not mean you should make a bad decision.
