Seven Reasons to Shop Secondhand

The secondhand business is booming now that few consumers have any disposable income, if they are fortunate enough to even have an income! Wearing secondhand clothing and decorating your home with cast-offs was stigmatized during previous generations of prosperity. The irony is that buying secondhand was already becoming fashionable and many consumers are beginning to see wisdom in buying previously loved and gently used merchandise.

With the advent of eBay and other online auction sites, buying secondhand has become easier than ever. You’re not limited to the choices at your local thrift store or Salvation Army center.

We all have different reasons for deciding to buy secondhand goods instead of purchasing new ones:

1. You may be able to buy a better quality product than you would be able to afford otherwise. Consumers often become attached to the service or quality provided by a particular brand, and you may be fortunate enough to find your preferred brand in a good, usable condition at a reasonable cost, instead of paying a high price for the latest product in the same line.

2. New appliances can be a major investment. Today’s consumers may find a previously owned refrigerator more within budget when their current model breaks down beyond repair. Older products are often of a much higher quality and built to last. Products of newer manufacture often seem to be designed to wear out a few days after the warrantee expires! A pre-owned appliance may only need a thorough cleaning to put it back into service.

3. Setting up housekeeping can require many necessities. Even when lovely new wedding gifts are received, there are still some things couples need to completely furnish their new homes. Buying secondhand furniture and housewares can greatly reduce the investment and leave extra money in the bank for emergencies or vacation trips. College students who choose to live off-campus may find that furnishing their apartment with previously owned furnishings, appliances, kitchenware and decor gives them more money to spend on social activities.

4. Moving to a new city or state may inspire you to lighten the load and save on moving expenses by selling some of your belongings. It can be more practical to replace those belongings with high-quality secondhand items once you get to the new location.

5. Children grow quickly, often outgrowing clothes before wearing them out! Buy your kids’ play clothes secondhand and save money toward new school clothes. Sometimes thrift stores have the name brand clothing kids want at a fraction of the original cost. Some apparel may even still have tags attached or be so lightly worn that they still appear new.

6. Buying secondhand is environmentally friendly. Keeping old possessions out of landfills helps keep our earth clean. Creative souls repurpose discarded possessions into new uses, enhancing the natural charm of found, antique and vintage objects.

7. Nostalgia can be a strong influence in our decision to buy secondhand. Browsing through a thrift shop, we often see reminders of our childhood and times past. The toys and games we played with as children, grandma’s dish pattern, period decor, old-fashioned prom dresses, and other familiar objects take us back to a time when life was less stressful and confusing.