You Can Buy Second-Hand Items, but Skip These Items
Every second-hand enthusiast has one deal that could go completely wrong. For me, it was the couch by the trash can outside my campus apartment while I was in college. I was too late on a week night and my friend and I were overwhelmed with the strength and determination to save this beautiful couch from sudden death.
We definitely haven’t tested this thing for bed bugs. We dragged him into the apartment, and a month later, into our off-campus home, which was packed with other things. The couch was sturdy and no one had a rash. But older and smarter, I would not venture on the couch in the dumpster.
Everyone is still lashing out at other people’s dregs that no longer cause joy , and I am here to thank you for working on this “reducing” part of the “three rupees”. But I also want you to take the blinkers off the landfill for a moment to familiarize yourself with some of the things you should avoid buying used. Simply put, they are too rude.
Mattresses
Two words: bedbugs . Two more words: too old! Mattresses don’t last nearly as long as you’d like in a kid’s bedroom. If your mattress is more than five years old, it’s likely been used too much to save a few dollars on used material.
If you have a friend who is moving in and getting rid of his rather new mattress, I will let you put this one on. But you need to be less than two degrees from the original owner to avoid the risk of pest infestation and back pain.
Bicycle helmets
Two words: head lice . Okay, I’m mostly kidding. The real reason you don’t want to buy a used bike helmet is because the foam padding deteriorates over time. A helmet that is only a few years old may not be strong enough to protect your leg if you fly over the curb. In addition, the helmet that has withstood the accident must be thrown. If you can’t guarantee that a used helmet is brand new, never crashed, go ahead and grab a new one for $ 20 or $ 30.
Car seats
Baby equipment quickly becomes expensive, but unless you know the seller well, you shouldn’t be trying to save money on a car seat. Safety regulations for these essential items change frequently and seats are often recalled for not meeting these requirements. Also, if the car seat is involved in an accident, it should be written off. You shouldn’t risk your baby’s safety.
Food processors and blenders
Do you disassemble all the components of your small appliances after each use for a thorough cleaning? If you’ve ever cut back on brushing, you can assume everyone else has too. Blenders and food processors make it to my “don’t buy” list because of the high likelihood that even the brightest scraps have tiny bits of old food stuck in crevices. Grab a spare blender from Mom the next time you arrive (why does she have two?), But stay away from these items at thrift stores.
Underwear
At best, they are already stretched out by the time they hit the donation pile. Worst-case scenario … well, look. They were in other people’s lower regions. There will be a refusal from me.
What about bathing suits? Chlorine is probably on your side . If you are buying second-hand swimwear, make sure the elastic is sturdy and the suit is not faded. Machine wash, add some vinegar if chlorine odor persists, then apply to pool deck.
Once you find your favorite swimsuit, you wear it for as long as possible before parting. The costumes that you find at thrift and thrift stores are likely to have been worn only a few times before someone decided they didn’t quite fit. In my book, a swimsuit not for everyday use makes it more acceptable to buy used than lingerie.
Cosmetics
Yes, people do that . They buy and sell used cosmetics, and I’m not talking about drugstore brands – I’m talking about expensive items. Makeup is a safe and cozy haven for bacteria , so it’s best not to try your luck with someone else’s eyeshadow palette.
Economists and second-hand shoppers, what would you add? What’s on your list of prohibited used items?