Buy new or used? A quick guide
Lots of things are just as good secondhand. Some need a careful check, and a few are safer to buy new because you can't see their history. Here's a quick guide for everyday items.
Great used Check carefully Buy new
| Item | Usually | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Solid wood furniture | Great used | Well made and easy to check. Look at joints, drawers and smell. |
| Cast iron and stainless cookware | Great used | Nearly indestructible. Surface rust scrubs off. |
| Hand tools | Great used | Simple, sturdy and easy to test. |
| Books, games and puzzles | Great used | Count puzzle pieces if you can. |
| Dishes, glassware and frames | Great used | Check for chips and cracks. |
| Bikes | Check carefully | Great used after a tune-up. Check the frame for cracks and confirm it isn't stolen. |
| Phones, laptops and tablets | Check carefully | Refurbished with a warranty is safest. Check the battery and that it's signed out of accounts. |
| Small kitchen appliances | Check carefully | Test before you pay, check the cord and look up recalls. |
| Upholstered furniture | Check carefully | Inspect seams and corners closely for bed bugs and smells. |
| Strollers, high chairs and baby gear | Check carefully | Look up recalls at CPSC.gov, and check that all parts and straps are there. |
| Cribs | Buy new | Cribs made before mid-2011 may not meet current federal safety standards. Drop-side cribs are banned. |
| Car seats | Buy new | You can't see crash damage, and car seats expire. Only use secondhand from someone you trust, with its full history. |
| Bike and sports helmets | Buy new | Damage from a fall can be invisible. |
| Mattresses and pillows | Buy new | Hygiene and bed bugs are hard to check. |
| Underwear and socks | Buy new | For hygiene. |
General information. Always look up recalls at CPSC.gov (and NHTSA.gov for car seats) before buying secondhand, and follow the manufacturer's instructions. We don't inspect or guarantee any item.
A two-minute check
Recalls
Search the brand and model at CPSC.gov.
Condition
Look closely in good light. Test what you can.
History
Ask how old it is and why it's being sold.
Price
Compare with what similar items sell for nearby.
Read things that are safer to buy new and check for recalls, or compare costs with the secondhand savings calculator.