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There’s an increasing trend of people buying secondhand instead of new. And nowadays, you can find almost anything at a thrift store or online marketplace. While I love browsing used goods, and scoring a great deal, I'll sometimes see something that will stop me in my tracks. It'll leave me wondering why anyone would sell something "like that," and more importantly, who would buy it? And for what good reason?
I’m talking things like teeth, broken shoes, dead plants, anything unhygienic or of a personal nature. Then again, I guess, as the saying goes, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” And to each their own... But it turns out I'm not the only one who is somewhat selective about what I'd buy "gently worn". People have been sharing their absolute no-no's when it comes to shopping for goods. Whether it's a matter of safety or hygiene, they've revealed why it pays to buy certain things brand new. From underwear, to earpods, Lego sets, to beds, Bored Panda has put together a list of items netizens think you should steer clear of next time you're tempted to save a few bucks.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
A mattress.
You want bedbugs? That's how you get bedbugs.
geezeronthehill 7 months ago
Bedbugs caused people to buy brass bedframes on the belief that they would not harbor vermin.
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Boris Long-Johnson 7 months ago
No don’t buy a 2nd mattress just rent one 100s of people sleep on a year!
RELATED:
#2
A car seat. Since nobody else has said it, I will. Secondhand car seats are so dangerous. You have no idea if they have been in an accident, after which they are supposed to be replaced no matter how minor. Not a mom, just an aunt.
Beth Wheeler 7 months ago
The police will tell you to cut the belts off of them. When my son tas a teenager he barely tapped the back of a car and the cop told the lady to go by a new car seat for her little girl and cut the belts off of the old one. If I could have done it I would have told her to follow me to Walmart for a new one but I didn't have the money to do it. I told her to save the receipt to turn into my sons insurance.
Betsy S 7 months ago
These are such a rip-off. Do you have to replace the built-in seats in your car after every bump? No! Kids car seats should be built properly in the first place, so they are AS safe as built-in car seats. This built-in obsolescence for a major safety thing that is so poorly made as not to withstand a small bump is just more capitalist built-in obsolescence c**p. These things are REALLY expensive! Build them properly instead of trying to rip-off parents having to replace them every time someone sneezes.
Load More Replies... Lene 7 months ago
This also applies to car seats you get for free by friends you know well. Even if you know they were never in an accident. Multiple hard brakes can cause the seat to not be as safe anymore as it should be. Also, there's an expiration time on the car seats (at least here in Europe). Most car seats should be thrown away after 5years. Simply because the seat's safety is not guaranteed anymore. Sure, the seat COULD still be fine.... but is it a risk to take on behalf of your little one?
Betsy S 7 months ago
That is a fault of the seat and should be met with lawsuits by every parent who has ever been ripped off by this situation.
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Grace Knowlton 7 months ago
This is why thrift stores are no longer allowed to take car seats same with cribs
Huddo's sister 7 months ago (edited)
Not allowed to sell them second hand in Australia (not in op shops anyway). If buying online it should be less than 5 years old I think.
#3
Motorcycle helmet.
beautiful plumage 7 months ago
any protective helmet should not be bought second-hand. football, baseball, cycling, fencing, etc. a bicycle helmet could have been dropped a bunch by some little kid and it may not show any problems until it doesn't do it's job in a real accident.
#4
Toothbrush.
#5
Climbing gear, unless it was from someone I knew for certain is an experienced climber and cared for their gear per manufacturer recommendations. Even then, I'd prefer to buy new.
#6
Underwear.
PunchinelloTX 7 months ago
The same people selling used toothbrushes, I wager.
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Panda Kicki 7 months ago (edited)
This is stupid. Adults usually use until there is no point in selling, but I have bought bags of kids underwear, perfectly clean, no stains and in good condition. Also, do you really throw those panties away rather then let younger siblings use them?
GPlateRoc 7 months ago (edited)
What??!! Yes, used underwear gets thrown away
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Bec 7 months ago
Agree, but I have also bought a pack and ended up not liking the fit, so have ones that have not been worn and don't want them to go to waste but assume they won't be accepted for donations
Lyoness 7 months ago
I think it's wonderful that so many people have never been in a situation where they had to buy used clothes (yes, including underwear) but not everyone can afford new. Underwear is expensive, and if it's a choice between food and used panties you can sanitize or new ones, I know what I chose.
Betsy S 7 months ago
Many people who cannot afford to buy new. That's who.
Load More Replies... #7
Airpods/buds 🤮.
Emilu 7 months ago (edited)
Nothing necessarily wrong with second hand AirPods because you can buy replacement buds for them.
General Anaesthesia 7 months ago
Though you never know the condition of the batteries.
Load More Replies... #8
A bicycle helmet.
Warren Hazelton 7 months ago
They have a three-year lifespan due to the effect of ultraviolet rays on the plastic. Also, they get sweaty...
#9
Hottub. If it's been sitting dry for any length of time the gaskets are probably all shot and it will leak like a sieve.
ABC NrTen FCK CENSORISM 7 months ago (edited)
This is the first one I disagree with. If you know what you're getting yourself into and are an adapt DIYer, you can probably make a good deal *because* it is leaking and fix it yourself.
#10
Shoes
I know that people do, but every time I've tried there was always someone else's foot indentions in them and they didn't feel or fit right.
beautiful plumage 7 months ago
while you have to be very selective and really try them out in the store beforehand, i have found some great shoe buys at thrift stores over the years. i currently have a set of thrifted børn shoes, ll bean boots, and vans in my stable right now. they all fit and work great. they also go through a thorough lysol mist before they see regular rotation. other commenters are right about the internal contours being set for someone else's feet. if that is uncomfortable, i don't buy them.
Rachel Reynolds 7 months ago
I will buy second hand for costumes, but that is short term wearing.
Hippopotamuses 7 months ago (edited)
Yes. Once a pair of shoes has been worn for a while, the wear pattern is established. If someone else wears them, their feet, gait etc. has to adapt to that wear pattern.
#11
Tires. I got into a whole argument about it with my automotive teacher in school, and everyone laughed at me and called me spoiled, but I just don’t feel that it’s worth taking a gamble on peoples safety with used tires.
Ace 7 months ago
TBH I think your teacher may have been right. It's quite common for a part-worn but still perfectly serviceable tyre to be discarded if another one has been damaged, to ensure that matching ones are fitted to both sides of an axle. If you can find one that's the same type as one that you've damaged, with a similar amount of wear (and age) it really shouldn't be a problem. Especially on small non-performance cars.
Robert T 7 months ago
Came here to say exactly this. If you get a puncture in one tyre that can't be repaired and they are only part worn, it is usual to replace the other tyre on the same axle to ensure the same amount of tread on each side, or if you are changing to a different tyre model/brand. This means there are plenty of still good part-worn tyres about to be able to match up a damaged tyre on another car at a huge saving in cost.
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Magenta Blu 7 months ago
Second hand tires are a big business in my country. And then, when the tires are really worn out, then they make shoes. Very nice, comfortable and durable shoes called "abarca" and they use the tire for shoe soles as well.
geezeronthehill 7 months ago
Every farm wagon I've ever seen wears used tires. Good use for them.
#12
Guys remember when Belle Delphine sold her bath water?
Emilu 7 months ago
Smart of her if she has people that will buy it, I guess. Definitely agree on the “nasty” though. Bleh.
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TheMFKNXerdo 7 months ago
She did not just sell her bath water. Eventually, she sold another liquid, of the yellow variety, in little bottles.
Hippopotamuses 7 months ago (edited)
A South African pōrnō model. So you use her used bath water at your peril.
Load More Replies... #13
I hate buying electronics second hand. Hard to trust people who want hundreds of dollars for something that doesn’t have a warranty to it. When I can pay 1-200 more to have a warranty with it
Edit: let me rephrase. If I’m buying something used for 1000-1200 that I could get new for 1500. I’m buying new. Pro of buying something new. Return policy, warranty, legit company.
Used from joe snow down on Fb marketplace: no warranty, no refund, potentially ripped off and held at gun point.
I’m talking high priced electronics. Not a $40 phones.
David 7 months ago
Cautious, yes. But most of my current sound system was used. Private garage sale about 10 years ago, the man was seriously into his electronics and was selling some used after he upgraded to newer. Bought a pair of Cerwin-Vega E712s, a Denon AVR-3802 7.1 amp, a JVC center speaker and a pair of Paradigm rear speakers for about $400. And about a week later I bought a Onkyo SKW-520 sub for $15 or 20 (forget). They work great, I love them, and I can make the walls shake. It's a mixed lot in terms of brands but it's way more sound than I could afford new. On the sell side, I sold a different pair of "pretty good" tower speakers for $20. I got them really cheap at a church garage sale, used them for a long time before I had the cerwin-vegas. Sold them cheap to another guy who was happy to get them. I was cautious about such a large garage sale purchase but the dude had lots of gear - all pretty immaculate.
Stannous Flouride 7 months ago
Yeah, I'd trust him too. Anyone that into it would definitely have given it the care it deserves.
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Mel in Georgia 7 months ago
Eh, one of the smartest purchases I've made was a 50-year-old stand mixer on e-Bay. I read reviews of new ones and many people said they were not well made. The one I bought has been going strong for years. New electronics/appliances are often made to break just outside their warranty.
Emilu 7 months ago
I think older products are made more to last though. I have a stand mixer that’s probably… 40 years now? and it’s still going strong. Mum has many things passed down from my Nan and they’re still amazing (I also have some things from Nan too ☺️). I wouldn’t buy used tech or anything with planned obsolescence personally, but kitchen stuff? Heck yes.
Load More Replies... Emilu 7 months ago
Have to admit I’d never buy any electronics second-hand now. I know I look after mine and so can sell them/give them away with a good conscience, but who knows what other people do with theirs. Especially dearer phones. How many times has it gone into the toilet?
Grace Knowlton 7 months ago
Don't buy electronics from goodwill!! They don't check to make sure it works but still over charge for it their return policy stinks
Uncle Panda 7 months ago
Some refurbished products are ok, but I won't buy anything that can be dropped regularly (cell phones, tablets, etc.).
Robert T 7 months ago
Depends what it is. I have bought a couple of Logitech Squeezebox players used as I'm invested in the system and my player [unalived itself]. They aren't massively expensive, but for such old kit they hold their price very well. For anything more expensive, I'd be looking to test if before buying.
Miracle Max 7 months ago
BP, how is an "iron" an example of used electronics in this context? Fire your photo editor!
#14
Balding automobile tires.
Emilu 7 months ago
Yes! Don’t sell balding tyres! They’re super dangerous!
Load More Replies... Ace 7 months ago
As in 'illegal' you mean? Yeah, either there's a legal amount of tread left or there is not.
Sue User 7 months ago
I bought used tures. They had a good tread. Guy had a shop near a upper class neighborhood and people would buy new tires because they wanted a different style or " it was time".
Load More Replies... #15
Toilet paper.
Hippopotamuses 7 months ago
True! Every time I try to wash pre-loved toilet paper, I wind up with a solid lump of paper in the washing machine.
Lee451 Henderson 7 months ago
The best part of toilet papers is that after you use it a few times, you can tear off the part that you used.
#16
Dentures.
David 7 months ago
Nobody AFAIK. Some of these posts sound like troll /joke posts.
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Robin Roper 7 months ago
My uncle owned a dental lab and made false teeth, bridges, partials, etc. Some people would drop of their dentures for a repair and ask if he had loaners. True story!
Hippopotamuses 7 months ago
Surely this would be a waste of time? They can probably be sterilised, they wouldn't fit properly, anyway.
#17
Batteries. No one know how many charge cycles they have done.
David 7 months ago
Depends on how good a deal. Several years ago I bought a baggie of AA rechargeable from a garage sale. Many said he used them for a trip to Europe for the cameras he had at the time. They were cheap. Most of them worked and four or five years later I'm still using some of them. No regrets.
Hippopotamuses 7 months ago
I've never seen used rechargable batteries for sale. I would have assumed people just throw them out when they've lost their magic.
#18
Uncle John’s bathroom reader.
Hippopotamuses 7 months ago (edited)
I cannot imagine anyone buying a toilet reading book. Used, or not. It's the 21st century, we use cell phones for reading on the toilet now.
David 7 months ago
Hippo, Last December - I attended a Christmas party of a local friend. When most of the guests had left and it was just a few of us stragglers, she was showing us a hostess gift someone (she hadn't met before) brought her. It was a guest book - for the bathroom. It had places for people to write about / rate their potty experience, checkboxes for things like did they snoop in the cabinets and so on. My friend couldn't get over how tacky it was. :)
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Marleina Hershberg 7 months ago
I had a bunch of these; never read them in the bathroom. Just because it's called a bathroom reader doesn't mean it has to be read in there.
S Bow 7 months ago
I have several of these and read them....in the bathroom.
Load More Replies... #19
Hardware Crypto Wallet
The original owner set the recovery phrase so they can get your tokens at any point by using it on a new wallet.
beautiful plumage 7 months ago
used usb drives are a no-go for me. even the branded freebies you get from conferences can be suspicious. they could have some malware lingering on there and then it's the plot from the beekeeper all over again. go get 'em statham!
Robert T 7 months ago
Even genuine branded ones can have viruses on them! It's a few years back but I remember one such news story.
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#20
Anything Land Rover/ Range Rover. I’ve heard that they’re mad expensive to repair.
David 7 months ago
That's also an argument for not buying a new one, unless perhaps you have so much money you just don't care.
Hippopotamuses 7 months ago
When these came out in... I think it was '69-70... they were very actually good cars for the time. They probably were the first of what we now call an SUV. But once they became fashionable. Boom, the quality fell. I must admit, I have been tempted.
Load More Replies... Robert T 7 months ago
Parts for old cars are cheaper if there are lots of them still around. You buy a rare car with lots of custom parts and it will be expensive to maintain as nobody will make the parts other than the original manufacturer (if you are lucky!). I drive a 26 year old BMW. I can still get both genuine and repro parts for it. However the ones that are common to the 3-series are much cheaper as they are made in huge quantities. The parts that fit my specific model and engine size and much more expensive. Pair of new genuine trailing arms are almost as much as the car is worth. New genuine door handle trim - a couple of quid. New repro radiator a couple of hundred.
Tom De Paul 7 months ago
This is an argument for buying a Toyota Corolla (or Camry), Honda Accord (or Civic), or a Ford F-150 if you want a truck.
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Ace 7 months ago
You've heard wrong. Obviously depends on the model, but modern ones are just like any other modern cars. My 2002 Defender is actually really cheap to maintain, mechanically basic, little in the way of electronics and after-market parts cheap and readily available (in/from the UK).
#21
Again or Ever?
I won't ever buy used underwear and I would never again buy a used mattress. Sort of the same really.
Auntriarch 7 months ago (edited)
Me. If I see a bra in good condition my size, I will certainly look at it, as long as it's not padded. I do draw the line at knickers though
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#22
A coffin.
Deborah B 7 months ago
Coffin for the funeral then if you're cremating, transfer to a cardboard box. One "lightly used" coffin now available for reuse.
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Michael Largey 7 months ago (edited)
"Is this used coffin in good shape?" "Well, we didn't hear any complaints from the previous guy."
Uncle Panda 7 months ago
"Why are you digging that guy up?" "He quit paying his coffin subscription."
Donna Monti 7 months ago
What is the worst thing that could happen here? The person would not be dead anymore?
DelvianBlue 7 months ago
Might improve the resale value if that was true!
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Grace Knowlton 7 months ago
Uh 🤔 where is the body that was previously in the coffin?? Sounds really sketchy
#23
Running shoes, not sure if that’s even a thing tho.
Betsy S 7 months ago
Running shoes are outrageously expensive. Many people can only afford to buy them at thrift shops. Not everyone is rich.
Tom De Paul 7 months ago
Try Last Chance (Nordstrom's -only in Phoenix) or Nordstrom Rack.
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Hippopotamuses 7 months ago
For fashion shoes, definitely possible. But for serious runners etc. definitely not.
Lyoness 7 months ago (edited)
I don't know why this was downvoted. If you're regularly running you need shoes that fit properly and give you the right support. For example some people overpronate (their foot rolls in while they walk or run) and they need a different shoe than someone who has a regular gait (edit to add I only know this because my feet are like that). Now I can afford them I'd never buy used running shoes.
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#24
2 years ago i would've said a GPU, but nowadays it isn't relevant anymore.
Beth Wheeler 7 months ago
Several years ago a friends son bought a used computer from somebody that sells electronics at a flea market. It had kiddie p**n that attached itself to an email. Police show up take it and his wifes laptop. The SBI proved that it was on there when he bought it because he had the receipt. The county DA used him as an example, he had to register as a s*x offender and couldn't be alone with his kid until she turned 18.
Science Nerd 7 months ago (edited)
If I bought a used computer, and that is a big if for several reasons, all of the storage would be wiped immediately. I don’t mean delete and reformat but using one of the many utilities that run multiple passes over the disk so there is no trace of the original data. I do this to my own disks when I get rid of electronics. The DA would not have found any p**n in my possession and a good lawyer would argue entrapment if the police knew p**n was on the computer before I innocently purchased it.
Load More Replies... #25
After spending two hours cleaning out a Slim PS3 I purchased from a P**n Shop I would go with consoles. This poor system was so nasty on the inside that I’m surprised it didn’t over heat. There was just dust and crud every where even in the HDD bay. The funny thing was and what made me buy it was when it was hooked up it fired right up and the disc drive accepted and eject discs smooth as butter.
Robert T 7 months ago (edited)
BP doesn't know the difference between a pawnbroker and a pornbroker!
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David 7 months ago (edited)
Again, again. (LOL) - It depends on the deal and the reputation of the source. Years ago (but after Xbox 1 came out) I purchased two Xbox 360 systems with controllers and Kinnect bars and some games for really cheap. Was getting one for grandson. Deal was so good I bought one for me too. My grandson and I enjoyed many, many hours on those consoles. I also bought a lot of used games from p**n shops / garage sales. I could have returned it if it didn't work and I had a relative who worked at the p**n shop so I know they would have honored it. As I type this, I still have my system and it still works. I don't use it as often any more but it works. Also - LOL that "paw-n" is censored.
Hippopotamuses 7 months ago (edited)
Dear BP: P**n = "a store that lends money in exchange for a valuable thing that they can sell if the person leaving it does not pay an agreed amount of money by an agreed time: a pawnshop loan/owner. (Definition of pawnshop from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)"
#26
A computer chair....😬.
#27
A third hand.
Auntriarch 7 months ago
Something you wouldn't buy second hand. I believe it was an attempt at humour
Load More Replies... #28
Nail clippers.
liam newton-harding 7 months ago
Seriously, is this list just, “random s**t that popped into my head”.
Magenta Blu 7 months ago
No. Go to any Latin American street market. They sell everything including used pots, china sets, furnaces, nail clippers, combs, shoes, toys, Tupperware, glas containers, spoons and even appliances spare parts. They sell everything you can imagine, and people is always buying
Load More Replies... Hippopotamuses 7 months ago
I'm sure you could boil the living hell out of these to sterilise them, if you wanted.
ABC NrTen FCK CENSORISM 7 months ago
I won't buy brand-new nail clippers either. I hate those things with a passion. Then again, I spend hours making my nails every couple of weeks, so I think it's pretty obvious I won't cheap out on this part.
#29
Bedsheets….you have no idea what’s happened on those….
Donna Peluda 7 months ago
Do you stay at hotels. I mean, I've never bought used sheets but I do stay at hotels
David 7 months ago
This is dumb. I have a washing machine. I've bought a fair number of used sheets and blankets at garage sales over the years. I usually buy new for my bed because I'm a bit of a sheet snob but not always. Bought a fair number of used ones for the grandkids when little because they went through them. Bought some used (and also cheap new) twin size for last trip to Philippines because I don't have a twin bed but knew I'd be sleeping on one. Left them there for relatives. Similar idea for used towels -- washer and dryer.
CatD 7 months ago
When I was broke I bought second hand sheets. You wash them.
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#30
Any tech.
Advertisements claiming certified refurbished is utter rubbish.
Most used tech gets auctioned and sent to shawty repairmen and resold on the websites that they came from.
If you’re in the market for tech, almost always buy new unless you’re buying from someone or somewhere you know beyond the shadow of a doubt that they do good repair work.
Hippopotamuses 7 months ago (edited)
I'm pretty sure this has more to do with the refurbisher. As OP points out. There are legitimate companies out there. Just don't buy from Honest John. Down at the local pub.
CatD 7 months ago
I've bought refurbished laptops before with no problem.
Load More Replies... Bob Jones 7 months ago
There are many legitimate companies reselling used tech that has been fully tested at a fraction of the new cost, and giving a warranty. I have bought several items like this and never had an issue.
Science Nerd 7 months ago
Companies like Apple and Dell sell refurbished tech - I would trust them to have quality control.
Load More Replies... kissmychakram 7 months ago
Do your research, don't buy from a refurbisher that doesn't have a return policy/warranty and try to buy things that are only a few years old.
What do you think ?
Ba-Na-Na 7 months ago
Right!? I can’t believe that swim wear didn’t even make the list!
Load More Replies... Bec 7 months ago
Come on BP, the 'author' couldn't remove the ones that are stupid/ jokes while doing their copy and paste?
ninjaTrashPandaBoom 7 months ago
That would be way too close to actual work!
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Rick Murray 7 months ago
I wouldn't buy a secondhand burger. I wouldn't buy a secondhand carsick bag, and I would absolutely never ever buy a secondhand nappy (diaper) even though the contents somehow evolved into this ridiculous list.
Lara Verne 7 months ago
It started out reasonable, but as the list continued, it became outright stupid. Remind me of my distant cousin, who claimed she would never buy anything secondhand, because original owner might be dead and their family should throw everything away. I don't understand this, why would people throw away tons of perfectly fine items when original owner die? She certainly did not throw away her house when her grandpa died.
Ba-Na-Na 7 months ago
Right!? I can’t believe that swim wear didn’t even make the list!
Load More Replies... Bec 7 months ago
Come on BP, the 'author' couldn't remove the ones that are stupid/ jokes while doing their copy and paste?
ninjaTrashPandaBoom 7 months ago
That would be way too close to actual work!
Load More Replies... Rick Murray 7 months ago
I wouldn't buy a secondhand burger. I wouldn't buy a secondhand carsick bag, and I would absolutely never ever buy a secondhand nappy (diaper) even though the contents somehow evolved into this ridiculous list.
Lara Verne 7 months ago
It started out reasonable, but as the list continued, it became outright stupid. Remind me of my distant cousin, who claimed she would never buy anything secondhand, because original owner might be dead and their family should throw everything away. I don't understand this, why would people throw away tons of perfectly fine items when original owner die? She certainly did not throw away her house when her grandpa died.
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