What Used Stuf Would YOU Buy

[snafu]

14 Things You Should Always Buy Used | Money Talks News

There are a lot of savings to reap if you can adjust your mind set to buying some things that were initially used by previous owners. The list includes: cars and houses which is common practice. The article includes Timeshares [never buy new], recreational toys like RVs as owners often sell because they don't have time it use it, sport & exercise gear, furniture, jewelry, baby gear [clothes/toys] since they're outgrown quickly, dishware, some electrical [from individuals who must have latest/coolest], movies, video gear, tools.

I was surprised he didn't include those limited home appliances like bread machine or Kitchen Aid type stand mixer as like exercise equipment they are often bought with the best of intention but not used after the 1st month.

Would you buy used stuff?

[scfr]

In the past year I've purchased used clothes, books, a mug, and a table cloth. I also purchased new-but-old towels from a model home furnishings sale (50-cents each, never used but had been hanging in the model for several years), and a framed print at a model home furnishings auction.

I won't by a used mattress, underwear, or shoes ... just because of the "squeamish" factor.

[disneysteve]

The only thing on that list that I have never purchased (nor would I) is a timeshare. Everything else I have bought used at one time or another. Why pay full price for something that is going to become used as soon as you get it home and use it anyway?

[~bs]

sometimes doesn't make sense to purchase used clothing, furniture, mattresses, etc. If they have a bedbug problem, and you just bought that stuff, you just created a huge headache for yourself, all in the name of saving a few bucks. Just my opinion of course.

[josetann]

We've bought used mattresses (bought some bug spray used for bed bugs, gave them a good once over just to be on the safe side; same with the used couch and chairs). Why is saving a few bucks to sleep on a used mattress, that maybe two or so people have used, bad; but spending lots of $$$ to stay in motels/hotels/cruise ships cabins, where hundreds have used the same mattress, is acceptable?

Heck, I bought utensils from the thrift store. Some people may find that offputting. Ever eaten at a fancy restaurant (one that doesn't use plastic utensils)? Well you just paid a bunch of money to eat off the same dishes, drink out of the same cups, and put the same forks/spoons in your mouth, as did hundreds/thousands of other people. My thrift store utensils probably didn't see anywhere near the same number of dirty mouths, so what's the problem?

I do draw the line at used underwear (and if I were a lady, used swimwear). I won't think poorly of someone who does buy those items used (just hope they are extra careful).

[EarlyRetirementJoy]

Why is saving a few bucks to sleep on a used mattress, that maybe two or so people have used, bad; but spending lots of $$$ to stay in motels/hotels/cruise ships cabins, where hundreds have used the same mattress, is acceptable?

Heck, I bought utensils from the thrift store. Some people may find that offputting. Ever eaten at a fancy restaurant (one that doesn't use plastic utensils)? Well you just paid a bunch of money to eat off the same dishes, drink out of the same cups, and put the same forks/spoons in your mouth, as did hundreds/thousands of other people. My thrift store utensils probably didn't see anywhere near the same number of dirty mouths, so what's the problem?

This made me laugh, but darned if they aren't all good points!

[disneysteve]

We've bought used mattresses (bought some bug spray used for bed bugs, gave them a good once over just to be on the safe side; same with the used couch and chairs). Why is saving a few bucks to sleep on a used mattress, that maybe two or so people have used, bad; but spending lots of $$$ to stay in motels/hotels/cruise ships cabins, where hundreds have used the same mattress, is acceptable?

In many places, it is actually illegal to resell used mattresses. I know it is here in NJ. Why isn't it acceptable? Because a mattress can't be cleaned so there is no way to make it sanitary.

[josetann]

In many places, it is actually illegal to resell used mattresses. I know it is here in NJ. Why isn't it acceptable? Because a mattress can't be cleaned so there is no way to make it sanitary.

When you go on one of your Disney World vacations, do you go camping at Fort Wilderness and bring your own mattress? Or do you stay in a traditional motel/hotel where countless others have slept on the uncleanable unsanitary mattress? Full disclosure, we take our air mattresses, small fridge, tent, and maybe an a/c or heaters depending on time of year.

It only takes one night to get bed bugs, and once you've got them, they're yours. They're not just going to come out and bite you while you're sleeping on the motel bed, then go back in the morning; they'll get in your hair, your clothes, your luggage, etc. Then you take them home. So just spending one night in a motel room gives you roughly the same odds of catching bed bugs as spending the first night on a used mattress.

If you suspect the mattress of having harboured bed bugs in the past, just don't buy it. Go over it thoroughly, if you see any tiny specs moving, don't buy it. If it looks clean, still be a bit paranoid. Really hot day in the desert? Leave it outside in the sun (the sunshine and the heat will kill the bugs). Or perhaps you're taking it home in a station wagon...leave the car parked in the hot sun, let it get really good and cookin' hot in there. Still worried? Spray bug spray that's made to kill bed bugs (same stuff motels would use). Don't want to sleep directly on a mattress with chemicals on it (which you do when you're at a motel)? Then let the chemicals set for a bit (overnight? couple days?) and use an upholstery cleaner to get the majority off. Then buy a brand spankin' new mattress topper (warning, may have lots of chemicals too, might want to let it offgas for days/weeks before sleeping on it). A cheap used mattress with a really nice topper on it could be much more comfortable and thousands less than the new mattress you were eyeing.

Sorry, rant over. I just find it funny when people won't do something seen as cheap/frugal because of hygienic issues, but do the EXACT SAME THING when they're spending tons of money. Eww, used utensils, pans, and dishware??!! No thanks...want to run to Red Lobster for lunch? A used mattress, that's just nasty...oh, a cheap cruise, gotta book it! I could never buy a used car, they're icky and prone to breakdowns...excuse me, I gotta go drive the loaner car to the dealer, they think they may have finally fixed our car! I could go on and on. If people would just stop and think about what they're doing and saying sometimes, I think a little light bulb would go off above their head and they'd go "whoa, wait just a minute here..."

[marvholly]

I am actually going shopping for a 'used' microwave today. Mine died Wed and I HATE not having one. How does one reheat food when multiple servings are prepared, reheat coffee when a whole pot is made & only 1 person drinks it and/or cook fresh veggies?

FOUR months ago my computer monitor died. Bought a used one at a charity thrift shop FOR $15 to tide me over until I replaced the entire system (computer was bought used, privatly in 2001).

I KNOW I will buy new if pushed. I have had a microwave since about 1972 and LOIVE it.

[PetMom]

People get bedbugs from hotels.

Even really good hotels don't wash the comforter after each person's visit.

In fact, some don't wash them for months.

They do wash the sheets though.

Hotel's dirty little secret.

Bedbugs are getting everywhere and the trouble and money it takes to get rid of them is huge.

[~bs]

We've bought used mattresses (bought some bug spray used for bed bugs, gave them a good once over just to be on the safe side; same with the used couch and chairs). Why is saving a few bucks to sleep on a used mattress, that maybe two or so people have used, bad; but spending lots of $$$ to stay in motels/hotels/cruise ships cabins, where hundreds have used the same mattress, is acceptable?

Heck, I bought utensils from the thrift store. Some people may find that offputting. Ever eaten at a fancy restaurant (one that doesn't use plastic utensils)? Well you just paid a bunch of money to eat off the same dishes, drink out of the same cups, and put the same forks/spoons in your mouth, as did hundreds/thousands of other people. My thrift store utensils probably didn't see anywhere near the same number of dirty mouths, so what's the problem?

I do draw the line at used underwear (and if I were a lady, used swimwear). I won't think poorly of someone who does buy those items used (just hope they are extra careful).

you're a much braver person than I am. More power to you.

[disneysteve]

When you go on one of your Disney World vacations, do you go camping at Fort Wilderness and bring your own mattress? Or do you stay in a traditional motel/hotel where countless others have slept on the uncleanable unsanitary mattress?

I wasn't disagreeing with your point. I was just explaining that reselling mattresses is actually illegal many places. Whether you want to buy one or not doesn't matter.

Of course we sleep in hotels. In fact, I'm in one at this very minute as I type this post.

[josetann]

I wasn't disagreeing with your point. I was just explaining that reselling mattresses is actually illegal many places. Whether you want to buy one or not doesn't matter.

Of course we sleep in hotels. In fact, I'm in one at this very minute as I type this post.

I think it's illegal in Tennessee, though you can still find them on Craigslist. I remember seeing some at the Sear's outlet store, they had some signage stating how they had been treated, so I guess there's some kind of exception somewhere.

But here in Australia (Victoria to be specific) you can just walk into an op-shop (thrift store) and buy a used mattress. It was a bit of an "Oh, you can do that here?" moment.

[AllAboutSunny]

Thrift over Mall ANYDAY

I have just become hip to the Thrift Store world and I LOVE IT! You (nor myself) would ever know that my clothes from the Thrift Store were used if I didn't say so (or knew myself). It is an amazing way to save money! Especially living in Santa Barbara, CA. I am about to graduate from UCSB soon and am transitioning into the young single life..working full time, serious commutes, rent, etc...& trying to do it all while living in SB, which is very expensive for more than the most part (& I am from Compton, CA). I know people would say I should move then, but I am committed to making it work here in SB. Why? I got the beach one one side & the mountians (hiking) on the other. Plus I have made some very significant establishments and relationships in the community and with my school that might eventually lead to a higher income.

So speaking of making it work, the thrift store has become my primary source of clothes shopping. I have just bought my first car (Sunny)..used from a very trustworthy couple and its a 2004 so not too old. I also have roommates but my next step is to start saving & budgeting so that I can afford living by myself. Which is what led me to this site. Also, I work at a non-profit that serves foster and homeless youth. So a lot of times we get an abundance of donations and with me being a Youth Advocate there and former foster youth, I can sometimes benefit from the donations, depending on what they are and the needs of the youth. Thus, I have my first own full size bed, which i am so in love with, and just came up on a bunch of very nice, used & new clothes & shoes from a really nice boutique! TALK ABOUT SAVINGS!

The only thing that i can think of that i am hesitant to buy new would be a phone. I would say "and other electronics" but when I think about it, I actually own a macbook pro which was donated to an organization of mine. It was 2 years old but barely used. I just hit a year with and it is one of my most prized possessions.

With that said, GO USED!!!

[Autoin Chance]

I don't recommend about used clothes. I bought some dress at a market and I found a stain at the back. Gross. I can't notice that stain because that shop in market is kinda dark. Yes, it's very cheap but I never buy used clothes anymore.

I like buying clothes at department store because even though it's expensive but I can try them many times as much as I want. I found that some clothes are not suit for my body after I tried them.

And I will get favorite clothes that I will wear them many years.

One of my relatives likes buying used clothes but can't wear many of them after bought them because used clothes shop don't have a place for trying them or it's inconvenient to try. I know shopping cheap goods is so much fun, you can offer cheaper price when you want to buy 2 or 3. but I'm depressed when can't use them too.