What Should I Buy Used Instead of New?
Let me ask you a question. When it comes to buying something you need, how do you decide whether to purchase it used or new? Of course, with some things it’s obvious. For example, I don’t know anyone who buys underwear or toiletries used. But with other items, including cars and some appliances, purchasing them used could represent a big savings.
In this blog, I’d like to give you 6 ideas about items you could purchase used rather than new in order to save money. Here they are:
Furniture. Flea markets and websites including Craigslist are great places to find good deals on the used furniture you need, including couches, love seats, tables, dressers and desks. Personally, I’d stay away from used beds.
Textbooks. Your children or grandchildren may need to purchase books for their college classes, and new ones are very expensive. Borrowing, renting or buying used books is a great alternative to purchasing new.
Kids Clothing. If you have children and/or grandchildren, you know how quickly they grow out of their clothes. You also know how expensive new clothes can be. So, look at thrift shops and hand-me-downs for at least some of those clothes.
Household Appliances. New and shiny refrigerators, washers and dryers look great, don’t they? But neighbors, friends and family members might have used appliances you could buy for much less than you’d spend for new items.
Bicycles. Like cars, new bicycles come out every year. So, there are plenty of great bikes available that are only a year or two old. You can get the best deals on used bikes during the colder seasons.
Entertainment Items. Music and movies can be obtained secondhand. Great bargains are out there, both online and at garage sales, that will enable you to save plenty of cash.
What has your experience been with buying items used rather than new? Have those choices proven to be wise ones, or have you had some regrets?
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Best electronic items to buy used would be the old style “transistor” radios. Look for the Walkman of yesteryear, the book size portable AM/FM too. Plug them in at the store if they have an electric cord. If not ask if they have some batteries to test the radio. Many of the “book” size ones are equipped with an electric cord and have the battery option. Check the battery contact areas. If corroded, not to worry unless pitted. there can be gently cleaned of the corrosion with a sharp knife point scraping , finishing off with a sandpaper nail file till clean metal shows. The old transistors offer great AM/FM range for camping or for using when power goes out.
Thinking on appliances, I have learned a little secret.. I go to the used appliance shops and look into their “scratch and dent new” appliances. They still come with warranties, but HUGE discounts! This avoids the inevitable used problems with electrical items. Most all our stuff otherwise has been purchased used for the past ten years now. Garden grown, beef raised, patriot stored! Thanks Frank!
I am an old geezer who buys and sells used power tools. It is a great way to make a lot extra income. Most older power tools were made to last! Here is an example: Over the weekend I purchased at auction a Craftsman bench top drill press made in the 80’S for $30.00. It has had very little use, has no plastic parts, Sears still has parts for it and I printed out a users manual from their web site. A lot better quality than the new made in China crap! From past experience I know it will sell quickly for a minimum of $80.00. At that auction I spent a total of $50.00 for stuff that will sell for at least
$150.00. Sell it on craigslist.org for fast results!
If you live near a college check out their end of semester trash. You can find all of the things that the kids and parents don’t want to take home. My sister supplied a thrift store from my daughters college at graduation all for the taking. Most of the stuff was almost new.
This is exactly the way I shop. My husband and I have never had a new car, I haven’t had any piece of clothing that cost over $1 or 2 (new or used) in years, i buy my grands and kids used clothing unless it’s for a special day, the bicycles are usually free and the washer and dryer I’m using were in my house 9 years ago, when I bought it. Most, if not all, of our entertainment is really cheap or free. I made an exception for my kitchen stove – I won enough money in a series of card games to buy a new one and a dishwasher I wanted.
It’s fun reading all the responses!
I buy mostly everything used, except for socks & underwear, obviously groceries, computer technology, some things that are hard to find, such as particular tools, and most toiletries, although I sometimes find an unopened bottle of shampoo or bar of soap in a thrift store, in a brand that I like.
I’ve never owned a new motor vehicle (including my RV) and I have no trouble finding used clothing and shoes in good condition in my size, including styles I like that are “out” at the moment and therefore not available new. Household items, doodads, pet supplies, garden supplies, furniture, you name it — I generally check the thrift, consignment, “vintage”. etc., stores before looking in a regular store or online for a particular item. I’m frequently surprised at what I can find of better quality and cheaper price than what I would get at, say, Walmart.
And when I’m done with my stuff, if it still has some life in it, I donate it back to a thrift store!
Used kayak canoe paddles life jackets. Even some of the fishing equipment. Living in Fl. If taking a vacation to colder climate used warm weather jackets. Rarely used when you get back. Assisted livi g facilities are good to find used vehicles. Manly times offers are posted to a bulletin board inside building. On the used appliances. I’ve had luck with washers/dryers there are businesses that refurbish and you get a short term warranty. There is appliance pain I too. I always always ask for lower cos. Do your homework often you will know more than the seller
I don’t like second hand products, especially laptop, Iphone, ipad, clothes, smartphone, but cars! I’m poor and old man.
I’ve bought hand tools such as hedge clippers, nuts and bolts and other fasteners. Often used tools are made stronger and better than what you can buy now. And the days when you could walk into a hardware store and buy a box of screws are gone.
You’re right about the higher quality of older tools, and they go for nothing at yard & garage sales.
Buying supplies like nails & screws that way is also good, since it’s one area where most preppers never consider seriously enough. The hardware supplies that you have when SHTF are likely to be your lifetime supply, so you want to have a LARGE supply of nails, screws, washers, hinges, etc. I bought two huge boxes of drywall screws (50 lb apiece?) at a yard sale for $15 each. And a number of drywall buckets full of miscellaneous nails for ten bucks apiece.
Hand and garden tools at yard sales are a good deal, you normally can get better quality for the dollar. Also lowuse items you sometimes can improve your quality.
Also look for sturdy wooden furniture you can refinish easily.
I stopped buying used electrical items. Anything that requires power is now off my “buy used list”. My last item was a electric binding machine. I tested it with an inverter from my vehicle before purchasing and it worked. Problem was, when the motor was plugged in at home for 5 min it would overheat and shut down.
I’ve had good luck buying used power tools at yard sales, though I also try it with the inverter in my van if they don’t have a power cord (usually they do). I bought one 110v air conditioner, but it was new in the box — but of course no warranty. That’s the down side of yard sale appliances, but a really low price often makes it worth the risk. I’m still using a $200 refrigerator I bought at a moving sale 3 yrs ago.
Frank,
Going to garage, yard, farm and estate auctions is an Olympic Sport isn’t it???? (LOL)
In SURVIVAL 2.0 I’m writing about buying used for those people who rarely go outdoors, much less have the funds to invest in super-prepper stuff.
Especially, if the tools, gear, clothing, etc. are things you will never use day to day, but only need, maybe once in your lifetime, during a disaster situation, yet they might well mean the difference between life and death for you and your loved ones!
Those who plan on running a Frontier Trading Post can also stock up on used inventory!
God Bless America,
Orrin
I mostly agree with the “buying older” phenom, however, I think used fabric furniture (sofas, lounge chairs, etc) should be on the NO list (unless you go thru the cost of professional fumigation & cleaning, of course) is performed. Insect infesttation (bedbugs, ticks & the like) is always a possibility.
I have always bought used cars, because I cannot afford cash for a new one. I figure that any repair bills are more than offset by not having to pay the additional cost of interest and collision insurance required with a new car loan.
All of by furniture is used, including beds. Used bed frames are fine, but I buy the mattresses and pillows new. I look for sturdy, solid wood furniture that some people practically give away, because they are tired of it or it doesn’t match their decor.
I tend to buy large appliances new, because I don’t know much about repairing them, and they come with a guarantee. I will take a chance on a small appliance from a yard or rummage sale, especially if it looks new or gently used.
Good quality and durability for the price count more than appearance for me. I think one way to win at the new vs. used game is to think ahead and always be on the lookout for items that I don’t necessarily need now, but will likely need in the near future. I don’t mind having a spare of anything I use frequently that will eventually wear out, usually when I can least afford to replace it.
Also, I don’t overlook store clearance sales on off-season items and overstocks, as well as items left on the side of the road for trash pickup. I am continually amazed at what some people will throw away, especially in certain neighborhoods.
When my children were very young I would go “yard sailin” I still love to go there it is truly amazing the finds that you find at yard sales. Frank I have one more suggestion for your list check out service people yard sales most times they have to get rid of it in a hurry I fully furnished a two bedroom trailer for only $300 I couldn’t have got that in any store for that price I can guarantee you that! and ALL the furniture was like new, very nice and clean they even sold me their washer and dryer for a $100 you just can’t beat those prices.
To buy new or to get old, hummmm. It all depends on whether or not you need it right now, how long will you need it and is it of quality. I look at things this way. Is it quality I seek then is buying new better than buying old. Foe example, I would buy a used meat grinder from the 20’s, 30’s. 40′ and even the 50’s than what they have now because of its durability and quality. But that doesn’t mean that I am going to rush right on out there and get the first item I see. No. I would have to inspect it first and see if it is really what I need and if I really want it. Then I see if I can afford it. If I can not afford it then how long will it take me to save for it. (I always pay cash or have the money available for my items that I purchase, even the high dollar items.)
If I can get something new it must be of good or high quality to last me for a long time. How many times have you bought some expensive item only to have it break on you because of a cheap part, thus making the item useless to operate. Most items I have bought will last a very long time ONLY IF YOU TAKE CARE OF THEM! My wife always tells me that, “its old – – – move into the 21st century and get a new one.” I would reply, “I would if it wasn’t made to break. Especially if you look at it wrong.” So go with quality first.
The exception to the rule is if I can not afford the item and I need it now. Then I would consider getting old knowing that I may have inherit someone else problem(s). Like a use car. You don’t know how hard the vehicle was run, how well it was maintained, how many accidents has it been in or how many problems from the manufacture this vehicle may have had. There are items on cars that are recalled all the time. The question now becomes does your vehicle have such a recalled item and has it been overlooked, repaired or neglected?
Next, I would look at the item this way, is it to become a personal item. Is it something that I will more than likely not share with others? For example, my weapons, camping gear, tools and so on. I might loan you a screwdriver but not my chainsaw, table saw and so on. If I loan someone a tool, I make sure it is something that I can afford to lose. So there you have it, quality over cheap, personal over common use, expense over convenience. It all boils down to your personal choice.
You should add automobiles and pickup trucks to your list. You can save a bundle of money buying a low mileage, 2 0r 3 yr old vehicle, I always take one I have looked over and am serious about to be put on an analysis machine, which will tell you a lot about the engine, electronics, and so on, and if you do a meticulous and thorough inspection, you can find most problems. Carfax reports help, as well as taking to a trusted mechanic and having them give it a good going over. Of course, these things cost money, but with the cost of a new vehicle these days being in the 20-40k range, a couple of hundred dollars to insure you are spending your thousands well is a real bargain.
Absolutely agree. I’m pushing 70 now, and have never owned a new car in my life. My limit for many years was $800, back when that would still buy a usable, but ugly used vehicle. I’ve gone up to $1500 so far, but the prices now for used cars is rough. Sometimes I only get a couple of years out of a vehicle, but the cost of repairs has largely been very small considering my low investment in transportation. Back before the mid-70s, when the government started designing engines & cars for us, I could usually do most repairs myself, but now … if you don’t have a really good mechanic, you’re in trouble. Fortunately, I have a great one I can rely on.