My spouse and I recently had a conversation about purchasing pre-owned goods. I must admit, I’ve developed a bit of an infatuation with eBay recently, finding one bargain after another for infant products. My spouse, on the other hand, isn’t too keen on the idea of purchasing second-hand items – a viewpoint I fully honor. So, my solution has been to scout for auctions offering new or nearly new items.
My husband isn’t averse to snagging a deal where he can, but the idea of donning clothing previously worn by others doesn’t sit well with him. Perhaps it’s a male mentality. Personally, I harbor no such reservations about buying used attire. On the contrary, I derive a strange kind of excitement from the pursuit.
Strangely enough, when it comes to purchasing cars or homes, he’s perfectly fine with used ones. He even concedes that opting for pre-owned in these cases is often the more prudent choice. Evidently, not all second-hand items are treated equally in our home. Here are three instances when I believe buying used might not be such a good idea;
1. WHEN IT DIMINISHES THE ITEM’S QUALITY
If I’m buying something used, I would, at the very least, like it to look new. For instance, I’ve been on the lookout for cloth diapers on eBay recently. Cloth diapers are a substantial initial investment, and you can sometimes chance upon them from families who experimented with them briefly before abandoning the idea. An auction of that sort would be more appealing to me than one offering diapers used for 18 months. No matter their current condition, they might not withstand the test of time, defeating the whole purpose of investing in cloth diapers.
2. WHEN THE BRAND-NEW VERSION COSTS A TRIFLING AMOUNT MORE
If the new version is only marginally more expensive, I wouldn’t opt for the used item. I’m sorry for using yet another baby-related example but that’s what occupies my thoughts these days: why buy a pack of five lightly worn onesies for $18 when a brand-new pack costs merely $20? Perhaps there are some who are more economical than I, and the $2 saving would mean more to them. That’s not the case for me though, and I’d gladly spend those extra dollars for something fresh.
3. WHEN THE SAFETY OF THE ITEM IS DOUBTFUL
Used goods may sometimes be lucrative purchases from a financial standpoint, but they can occasionally compromise safety. For instance, I’d probably steer clear of buying used scuba gear or a used trampoline. There are just some things where it pays to be entirely certain about their quality and safety, and these items certainly fit the bill.
In conclusion, while my husband and I don’t exactly concur on the matter of purchasing used clothes, there are certainly other used items that neither of us would entertain the thought of buying.
So, how about you? Do you relish the idea of buying used, or are you a fan of newly minted products?
