Pretty much every time, it’s a better value – literally better quality, to buy used. Especially with the declining quality of manufactured goods. Of course I’m talking about non-disposable, durable goods.
I can always find a higher quality cast iron pan for less money used than new.
Used cars are clearly a better value and older cars have less repair-prone computerized technology.
Used iPhones are some of the best value propositions ever (you can get an iPhone 14 for $300 instead of a new one for whatever $1999 insanity price point). A 3-4 year old iPhone will last 5-6 more years and has all of the bells and whistles.
Used furniture is just unironically better than new furniture many times, not even just cheaper – literally better.
Used tools are literally identical functionally in many cases.
New is a luxury and I think kind of a scheme these days with how poor quality stuff is built.
I don’t see why I would buy anything new if it’s not food, medicine, or socks/shoes/underwear
byu/Niceotropic inFrugal
Posted by Niceotropic
12 Comments
Used is so much better value 9 times out of 10. Only thing I’d add that should be bought new is mattresses and upholstered furniture, I don’t want to risk bringing bed bugs into my home.
Used is also much better for the environment.
Reduce, reuse, recycle
Toilet
The only time that I’ve had to buy new was when I got Tupperware for school. I couldn’t find the size I needed at the thrift store and ended up getting new.
But 100%, I don’t think I would ever have the most recent phone or car when used or older models are on the market for significantly less.
I mean New is peace of mind and warranties. Its also significantly less work than hunting for something used that fits your needs.
I like getting things used as much as the next guy but sometimes the juice isn’t worth the squeeze.
Its also difficult to find everything used and in decent shape. Sometimes the price difference just isn’t enough especially considering no guarantees and no return period.
I definitely consider used a lot, but its not the answer as much as some people think it is.
If it’s a consumable, it should be bought new. No one sells used toilet paper or tissues or candles. That said, those items range from necessary to optional (in about that order TBH).
Food and medicine fall under the category of consumable. So do things like cleaning supplies, whether you are frugal and use vinegar or prefer other stuff.
I generally agree with this with a few small caveats.
Appliances should often be purchased new. But not always, ive run some nice hand me down appliances. Typically new is more energy efficient. But I do buy the most base model, bare bones appliances I can find to limit erroneous problems. Amd look for scratch and dent. My kids are going to smash into it anyways.
Ive also bought scratch and dent cabinets before. They were damaged on the back. Not visible. We screwed so.e extra wood to the back to reinforce. You’d never be the wiser.
Furniture 😬🪳I will sometimes take hand-me downs from people I trust but not donated
You’re also using a high end of scale. You can also get a new iPhone for $799. They aren’t all $1,999
I tried, really… but appart from matresses and sofas, which you’ve discussed in another comment, you’re totally right! I can’t see any item/category i wouldn’t buy used
Add safety to that for me. Car seats particularly come to mind. Yes, you can technically buy used if you know the person has never been in an accident and took care of it, but in a random thrift store where a car seat could’ve been in an accident (thus, compromising its structural strength), I wouldn’t want to take that risk with kids.
But definitely buy used clothes, bottles, toys, books, etc.
We got 17 years out of our sectional, that’s with two teenagers, dogs and cats. It was pretty worn out and just too big for the two of us. We wanted to replace it with leather love-seats, my husband wanted a power recliner too. We kept going back to the big chain stores in the larger city we live close to, trying to figure out something that would work but wouldn’t break the bank. Saw a LOT of ugly furniture and some pieces that were great but very overpriced. Second hand isn’t a great option when you have pets, have known animals to get destructive due to the scent they can pick up. This couch shopping went on for close to two years and nothing worked for our budget or comfort.
Finally one day we walked into the biggest chain store and found two discontinued leather love-seats tucked into a corner, on a deep sale. The brown one had power reclining, the dark grey one was the same style only no recliner. Both colours work for us and the combined price was around half the cost of one of the other, newer model love-seats we had liked. Bought the two of them and then picked up an Ikea leather sling chair a year later, color wise it matches the power recliner pretty well. Spent well within our budget on all three and happy we took our time till we found something that worked without breaking the bank!