15 guides
Secondhand shopping guides
Plain-English guides to buying secondhand. We don't sell anything, and no store or marketplace pays us.
Secondhand basics
Where to look, and what to buy used or new.
- Why buy secondhand?
Lower prices, often better-made things.
- Where to find secondhand
Thrift stores to library sales.
- The best things to buy used
Solid, simple and slow to wear out.
- Things that are safer to buy new
When unknown history matters.
Checking before you buy
Recalls, furniture, electronics and clothing.
- Check for recalls
Two minutes at CPSC.gov.
- Inspect furniture before you buy
Wobbles, joints and pests.
- Test electronics
Power it on before you pay.
- Check clothing quality
Seams, zips and fabric.
Buying online safely
Marketplaces, payments and refurbished.
- Online marketplace safety
Meet in public, bring someone.
- Avoid payment scams
The common tricks.
- Refurbished vs. used
Tested, cleaned and often with a warranty.
Smart habits
Lists, yard sales and fair offers.
- Shop with a list
Measurements and a price limit.
- Yard sale tips
Early for choice, late for deals.
- Make a fair offer
Polite and reasonable.
- Clean and refresh your finds
Make it feel new to you.