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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.

#1

Worn mattress in a dimly lit room, highlighting secondhand issues unrelated to a motorcycle helmet purchase. A mattress.

You want bedbugs? That's how you get bedbugs.

anon , Haley Owens/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

Lee Gilliland
Community Member
Premium
7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Also used beds. Including antique ones, which is how I found out.

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    #2

    A woman secures a child in a car seat, smiling inside a vehicle. 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.

    Weller_BWitched , Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Beth Wheeler
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #3

    A motorcyclist wearing a sleek black motorcycle helmet with an orange visor against a blurred background. Motorcycle helmet.

    Howsaboutabuff , VANDER FILMS/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Donna Peluda
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Motorcycle helmet should be replaced every 5 years.

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    #5

    Rock climbers on a mountain path, harnesses equipped, focusing on ascent safety, no motorcycle helmet visible. 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.

    Scandinavian_Flik , Chaewul Kim/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Zaach
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    And remember that ropes for climbing are not for caving

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    #7

    Hands with tattoos holding earbuds, showcasing care in handling electronics. Airpods/buds 🤮.

    Embarrassed-Tap-2276 , Thom Bradley/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Emilu
    Community Member
    7 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nothing necessarily wrong with second hand AirPods because you can buy replacement buds for them.

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    #8

    A black motorcycle helmet resting on a wooden outdoor bench. A bicycle helmet.

    plasm0r , bady abbas/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Warren Hazelton
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They have a three-year lifespan due to the effect of ultraviolet rays on the plastic. Also, they get sweaty...

    #9

    Wooden outdoor hot tub with steps in a garden setting, surrounded by greenery. 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.

    JonnyRottensTeeth , Sophie Grieve-Williams/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    ABC NrTen FCK CENSORISM
    Community Member
    7 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #10

    Person tying laces on brown boots while crossing a suspension bridge, focusing on outdoor footwear instead of motorcycle helmet. 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.

    anon , Josh Hild/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    beautiful plumage
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #11

    Stacks of used tires in an outdoor setting, piled chaotically among other rubber items. 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.

    Imgumbygodamnit , Robert Laursoo/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Ace
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #12

    Person with pink hair smiling and winking, holding a white circular object, wearing a pink top. Guys remember when Belle Delphine sold her bath water?

    ZitMa , Dolan Darker/Youtube Report

    Beth Wheeler
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seriously??? That's just nasty and stupid!

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    #13

    A person using a metal press on fabric near a window in a sunlit room. 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.

    anon , Andrej Lišakov/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    David
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #14

    Person in gray uniform and gloves holding a tire, with focus on handling used items like a motorcycle helmet. Balding automobile tires.

    anon , Getty Images/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Brian Droste
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    They should be turned in or disposed instead of selling them.

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    #17

    A pile of used batteries with various brands and colors, highlighting recycling needs and safety similar to motorcycle helmet care. Batteries. No one know how many charge cycles they have done.

    Olde94 , John Cameron/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    David
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #18

    "Uncle John's Bathroom Reader books on colorful backgrounds, featuring vibrant covers." Uncle John’s bathroom reader.

    Spider-ManSixtySeven , thriftbooks , thriftbook Report

    Hippopotamuses
    Community Member
    7 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #19

    A Ledger hardware wallet next to a laptop adorned with a blue sticker, on a white desk, with plants nearby. 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.

    does-this-smell-off , Hendrik Morkel/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    beautiful plumage
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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!

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    #20

    Land Rover parked on city street, highlighting the vehicle's rugged design. Anything Land Rover/ Range Rover. I’ve heard that they’re mad expensive to repair.

    waveslikemoses , Juan Rojas/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    David
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    That's also an argument for not buying a new one, unless perhaps you have so much money you just don't care.

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    #21

    Blue lace bra hanging outside against a wall, with leafy branches in the background, unrelated to motorcycle helmet topic. Again or Ever?
    I won't ever buy used underwear and I would never again buy a used mattress. Sort of the same really.

    Saulington11 , Nataliya Melnychuk/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

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    #22

    Elegant white coffin in a room with wooden walls, showing red roses on top and framed photographs in the background. A coffin.

    nikthomas125 , Ivo Santos/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    David
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    As long as they are sure I'm dead, I don't care if they toss me in a used coffin that still has the original occupant. Or, more practical, just cremate me. Funerals are for the living. Once I die, what is left is just a slab of rotting meat.

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    #23

    Hand holding a pair of athletic shoes in a field, focusing on outdoor activity rather than a motorcycle helmet. Running shoes, not sure if that’s even a thing tho.

    FarraigeWolf , Kristian Egelund/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Bob Jones
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Quite often runners will buy a shoe, wear it once or twice and then decide it is not right for them and sell them cheap, basically like new. I have bought and sold several like this.

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    #24

    Close-up of a computer interior with a Gigabyte component, lit by colorful LEDs, no motorcycle helmet in view. 2 years ago i would've said a GPU, but nowadays it isn't relevant anymore.

    TotoDuFour , Rafael Pol/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Beth Wheeler
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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    #25

    Translucent green and orange video game console with controllers on a wooden surface. 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.

    RumbleTrumpet , Jordan González/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    JL
    Community Member
    7 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You bought it from a poŗn shop? No wonder it was filthy.

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    #27

    30 People Share Things That Are Not Worth It Or Even Dangerous To Buy Secondhand A third hand.

    anon , David Underland/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Kat Alison
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    You have to wait for your own body to evolve one.

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    #28

    Hands using nail clippers, demonstrating self-care, unrelated to motorcycle helmet safety tips. Nail clippers.

    urbexcemetery , Hans Isaacson/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    liam newton-harding
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Seriously, is this list just, “random s**t that popped into my head”.

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    #29

    Striped blue bedding set on pillows and a blanket. Bedsheets….you have no idea what’s happened on those….

    SpottedArmadillo , Eryk Piotr Munk/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Donna Peluda
    Community Member
    7 months ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Do you stay at hotels. I mean, I've never bought used sheets but I do stay at hotels

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    #30

    Hands typing on a laptop keyboard, focused on digital content creation. 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.

    anon , Kaitlyn Baker/Unsplash (not the actual photo) Report

    Hippopotamuses
    Community Member
    7 months ago (edited) Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    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.

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