9 Things That are Better When Buying Used Than New

Each time you go to make a purchase, I want you to ask yourself if this is something you can find used. First, buying used in the categories below will always save you money. Second, buying used eliminates waste. 

Every time we buy from a thrift store, garage sale, online marketplace or from a friend, we prevent another item from making its way to the landfill, giving it a second chance at life while reducing waste. 

Here are nine things that are better when buying used rather than new.

Clothing

Shopping at thrift stores, garage sales, online second-hand marketplaces or your friend’s closet isn’t just good for the environment, it’s also good for your pocketbook. The standard clothing markup from a wholesaler to a boutique is normally 2 or 2.5 times their purchase price. This doesn’t mean the price isn’t justified, a lot of money goes into owning a business and producing fair trade items. But paying premium prices for clothing must be something intentionally set out to do, not just because you landed yourself at the mall. 

Books

Whether you’re looking for a specific book or your next fun read, online bookstores allow you to buy books that are both used and in top condition. If you are looking for audio books, apps like Overdrive allow you to connect using your local library card and rent e-books and audio books for free. You can also look for used textbooks online for school at sites like Amazon, Chegg and Campus Books.

Designer Labels

Whether you’re looking at clothing, handbags or accessories, buying used will always reduce the cost. Look for designer consignment shops or search for specific brands on your favorite online secondhand marketplace. Be sure to watch out for fakes and always meetup in public places if you are buying from an individual.

Jewelry

I bought my engagement ring at an estate jeweler and not only did I pay less than what it was appraised at, but was able to find a vintage 1930’s ring that fit the unique style I was searching for. Be sure you are using certified and trusted dealers, you don’t want to be spending money on misleading or fake pieces. Here are some additional helpful tips when shopping vintage.

Exercise equipment

Remember when Peloton was blowing up in the beginning of the pandemic? It seemed like everyone I knew bought a bike. Those same bikes, purchased by well-intended individuals, are now selling for hundreds off online, barely used.

Being in the first wave of shoppers comes with its perks but if you are willing to wait, this is an industry that will always have used equipment for sale at a heavily discounted rate.

Sporting equipment

Retailers like Play It Again Sports are a great example of buying used with heavily discounted prices. Buying kids gear used is an especially good idea since they often outgrow items before the next season. Shop by sport and filter your results even further by specific pieces of equipment or by gender. Stores located nationally! 

Furniture

It is few and far between when I buy new furniture, the last time I did was for a desk and it was because what I was looking for basically didn’t exist in the beginning of the pandemic when everyone was working from home. Besides these rare occasions, you can find anything online. If you’re looking for something specific, Facebook Marketplace is always a favorite, allowing you to set up alerts when new items are posted. You can also filter by price if you want to browse but know you don’t want to spend more than $20.

Pro tip, I often upgrade my furniture using Facebook Marketplace as I get sick of something. I have replaced my coffee table three or four times, selling the old item often for more than I buy the new one for.

Lawn & Garden

Rakes, shovels, hand tools, garden wire, pavers and so much more are available online at discounted prices, oftentimes free. I use Facebook Marketplace here as well and most of the time it’s a matter of remembering to search used before going out to Home Depot for whatever you need. You’ll see more of these items seasonally once people clear out their garages or as they move. Prices will be much cheaper off-season so if you know you want a new snow shovel, summer is the time to start looking!

Kitchen Misc.

I recently was on the search for ice cube trays and while I could have purchased them on Amazon for probably $2 I wanted to find some used because I knew thrift stores are always filled with them. Items like plates, blenders, graters, cooking utensils and storage jars are easy to find and almost free. Look for these both on Facebook Marketplace and your local thrift store or garage sales.