With the availability of thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets, pawnshops, Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, and online resale sites like eBay, you can save money on almost everything you buy.
Today, shopping secondhand is easier than ever, but not all secondhand deals are actually good, some used items are not just cheaper, but much cheaper and a good deal for the environment too, by focusing on these goods when you shop secondhand, you’ll get the most for your money.
The best things to buy used are goods that are just as useful pre-owned as they are brand new but much cheaper.
These products don’t wear out quickly, so they still work even after use.
People often prefer new items over used for reasons that have nothing to do with how well they work. Many shoppers always want to have the latest look or technology and are quick to discard anything they see as out of date.
That creates an opportunity for the rest of us to pick up merchandise that’s still good at bargain prices, but to get the best bang for your buck, focus on buying the things that offer the best value for the lowest prices.
1. Designer Clothes & Accessories
According to the U.N. Environment Programme, consumers today go through clothing faster than ever before. That means lots of perfectly usable clothing ends up in thrift stores and on yard sale tables for price-conscious buyers to snap up.
You just have to know where to look for what you want.
You can find steep savings on secondhand designer clothes. People who think it’s worth paying more for designer labels tend to be fashion-forward individuals who always want the latest styles.
That means they discard these high-end garments before they’re worn out.
Websites like Poshmark, ThredUp, The RealReal, and Tradesy sell used designer clothing at bargain prices.
For example, you might see Poshmark listings featuring brands like Lululemon, Ugg, and Louis Vuitton at prices 60% to 85% below their original retail price.
If you prefer to try on clothes before buying, hit up local consignment stores. Owners of high-end used apparel sell it to these stores in exchange for a cut of the resale price.
Search online to find consignment stores near you.
One caveat about buying designer clothing secondhand: Always check the labels carefully. Otherwise, an unscrupulous seller could stick you with a cheap fast-fashion garment with a designer label sewn in.
Some sites, such as Tradesy, check the garments for you and promise a refund if they’re not authentic.
2. Stationary & Books
Used books are one of the best bargains there is. New books, especially college textbooks, cost a bundle. But books don’t wear out quickly with normal use, so there’s nothing to lose by getting yours secondhand. It’s one of the best ways to cut the cost of a book habit.
It’s easy to find used book stores in your area with a simple Internet search. Prices at these stores vary by book and location, but you can find some titles for around half the cover price.
There are also lots of online sellers that offer used books as well as new ones. Try Amazon, eBay, Alibris, Better World Books, and Thriftbooks.
For textbooks, check out Textbooks.com, Chegg, and the Amazon.com Textbooks Store. You can rent texts or buy them secondhand for as little as 90% off the cover price.
If you’re not looking for a specific book, yard sales are a great place to shop. They typically offer used books for $0.50 to $2.
3. Furniture
High-quality furniture lasts for decades. However, many people don’t hold on to it nearly that long. They may need to discard old furniture when they move or redecorate or when their kids outgrow it. As a result, you can often find used furniture in good condition for a fraction of what you’d pay in a store.
Buying furniture used has other advantages too. A lot of cheap furniture sold today is made of fiberboard, but older pieces are more likely to be made of solid wood, which can be more durable and is better-looking. And it’s easy to give your secondhand furniture an updated look by repainting, refinishing, or reupholstering them.
While it’s OK to buy used beds, don’t opt to keep the old mattress. Mattresses wear out faster than the bed frames they sit on, and they can harbor fleas or bedbugs. Only buy used mattresses from a reputable reseller or an individual you know and trust.
Aside from that, you can buy used furniture in all kinds of places. Many thrift stores, reuse centers, and flea markets carry furniture. You can also find it at many yard sales and moving sales.
You can also find used furniture by checking Craigslist, OfferUp, Facebook Marketplace, and the listings in your local paper. Prices vary widely based on the type of furniture, the quality, and your location. Recent listings on my local Craigslist site range from $5 for an ottoman to $2,100 for an eight-piece dining set.
Buying furniture online probably isn’t a good move because of shipping costs. Also, you can’t examine the pieces and test them for comfort and durability before handing over your money.
4. Tools
Doing DIY jobs around the house and garden requires a decent set of tools. But decent doesn’t necessarily mean new. A well-made, well-maintained tool should last for years, if not decades. In fact, you can often find tools at estate sales that someone used literally their whole life and are still working fine.
That goes double for hand tools with no electricity or moving parts. A good hammer is still a good hammer no matter how old it gets — it pretty much can’t wear out. The worst that can happen to it is a little rust, and that comes off with a little oil or a wire brush.
In fact, some tools are better when you buy them secondhand. Nowadays, a sturdy steel-handled garden shovel or hoe is likely to cost extra. But back in the day, handles like that were standard. If you can find old tools with that type of handle at a yard sale or flea market, they should work just like new.
Power tools are a little trickier. It’s hard to tell just by looking how much life a motor has left in it. However, if the tool is cheap enough that it costs less to buy than it would to rent, you have nothing to lose by giving it a go. Even if it dies after one use, you still break even because you didn’t pay to rent one.
The tool brand can also be a helpful guide. According to DIY Network, professional-quality brands like DeWalt, Bosch, Ridgid, Makita, and Milwaukee all hold their value well. Consider Skil for power saws and Delta for woodworking. And opt for Husqvarna, Poulan, or Stihl for outdoor tools. But even with these brands, a careful inspection is important to ensure nothing is damaged.
If you buy power tools at a garage sale or from a Craigslist seller, ask to test them. Pawnshops are also an excellent place to look for high-quality tools since the owners only accept high-value items they know they can resell.
For larger powered equipment, try the Home Depot. The store sells its rental tools while they’re still in good working condition, and you can be sure the staff carefully maintained them. You can search the site by location to find specific tools you need.
5. CDs & DVDs
CDs and DVDs are sturdy storage devices built to last. Yes, they can scratch, but a disc in good condition can keep playing perfectly for years.
But their owners often get tired of them long before that and sell them for a fraction of their original price. As long as you check the discs for scratches before buying, you can pick up some real bargains.
The price of used CDs and DVDs varies, depending on how in-demand they are. Rare vintage discs may cost more than brand-new ones. But commonplace recordings can sell for as little as a dollar or two.
If you have a local record store, there’s a good chance it carries used CDs as well as new ones. And many local thrift stores and pawnshops and have a CD rack you can browse.
Yard sales have some of the best bargains — as little as $0.25.
You can also find secondhand online at Amazon, The CD Exchange, Thriftbooks, and eBay.
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