Buying Used Stuff

I think of most of us like to buy something used once in awhile, and I'm no different.

But is there anything in particular that you simply cannot make yourself buy second-hand? Or that the very thought of it makes you squeamish?

I won't buy used shoes. But I wanted to paint and embellish a pair of black high-heels for an upcoming Mardi Gras Ball, and I dang sure didn't want to ruin any of mine, so my only option was to find a cheap used pair. Finally found a pair at the Salvation Army today, and actually, they look as if they've never been used at all (and were only $2!). But there were a few that looked a bit dirty and overly-worn, and I just couldn't get myself to try them on.

Swimwear is another one. And, for some reason, used cookware.

You?

Underwear. No way.

Shoes and underwear would be my no-no's. We love yard sales, and we are often amazed at the things people sell. I buy almost 100% of my books used, I pay from 25¢ to $1.00 for books that often look like they had never been opened.

We buy a lot of stuff from resale shops, even house material from Habitat for Humanity Restore places. I guess besides underwears, socks and shoes, we would NEVER buy a used toothbrush from resale shop..

Used Shoes are at the top of things I will not wear. They take on a personal attachment to the foot that resides in them and I don't feel comfortable sharing that. Just slipping on my partner's flip-flops once to run outside I realized how his footprint did not fit my foot.

I don't recall seeing any used underwear EVER in a thrift shop. I have bought other clothes items tho.

Yeah, I won't buy used underwear and shoes either....

Probably just books in good condition.

I also find something a bit creepy in used hats (well, they often have a "smell") but I did buy a cool one once.

Tampons.

Hyacinth Girl wrote:Tampons.

Monthly Vermin

OK, I was refraining but she started it.

Condoms.

Of course, underwear. I never understood why they would even bother to have the display at Goodwill.

I remember reading an article about a girl who collected vintage bathing suits to wear, and she said she would cut the crotch out and sew in another, so maybe that's what those used underwear consumers are doing.....

I also wouldn't buy any appliances, doesn't matter if they're new or not. I learned my lesson the hard way after I damn near got shot by a Goodwill popcorn maker rejected by Target.

Oh my best buy was a top of the line dishwasher,the thing obviously hadn't been used much (the area had very hard water and had it been used much it would have shown)The lady asked $25.00 I offered her $20.00 and she took it. I knew even if there was a problem I could get it fixed and have a darn good dishwasher. She said she had a new seal put in it and hadn't used it since and was afraid it would leak. So we took it home and I figured what the heck I would let it run for a while. Sure enough it leaked about a fifty cent sized drip. The next day I decided I could live with the drip, so I put a paper towel down where the leak had been and did a load of dishes. No leak. I used that dishwasher for years when we sold the place it was still working. We had to leave it because we built it in. I still feel kind of guilty about offering $20.00. I also have a meat slicer, steamer, a blender and a citrus juicer all bought at yard sales. However one must be very careful when one buys electronic gadgets. In the case of all of the ones I bought they were like new, obviously their owners got them as gifts and didn't use them.

I won't buy used clothes, period. Used appliances and electronics, maybe.

I bought a used desk once. Household items are fine, but not clothes.

As far as used stuff, I've actually been into buying vintage Christmas ornaments from the World War II era, mostly the Polish and German ones. I've found some in antique stores, but won a bunch on Ebay, and have been getting some pretty good deals on them, too, since some of them in other auctions have been selling for far more than I've been paying, due to them being out of production since many of the factories that made them over in Europe, got bombed out during the war. Here's what I've bought:

My closest friend's mother used to buy costume jewelry, fix and clean it for resale. The lady made a tidy sum doing that.

Hyacinth Girl wrote:As far as used stuff, I've actually been into buying vintage Christmas ornaments from the World War II era, mostly the Polish and German ones. I've found some in antique stores, but won a bunch on Ebay, and have been getting some pretty good deals on them, too, since some of them in other auctions have been selling for far more than I've been paying, due to them being out of production since many of the factories that made them over in Europe, got bombed out during the war. Here's what I've bought:

What a beautiful collection!

I buy just about anything used (less hats and underware). I don't mind used shoes that are not worn.

RedBedroom wrote:

What a beautiful collection!

Thanks! (And I'm being very bad, and received another set of 12 in the mail just now, that I won on Ebay, to add to the others! he he!)

Hyacinth Girl wrote:

Thanks! (And I'm being very bad, and received another set of 12 in the mail just now, that I won on Ebay, to add to the others! he he!)

I concur, they are really beautiful.

I'll buy used if it's a unique, or discontinued, item that can't be easily found anywhere else.