A few years ago, the vintage trend and secondhand stores reached their peak because they offered special, unique, and almost one-of-a-kind pieces. Furthermore, when shopping at a secondhand store, you might stumble upon items you had no intention of buying and others that seem like the find of the century and end up in your cart immediately. In any case, within the wide range of items available at a secondhand store, experts recommend avoiding certain things, such as overly expensive items or electronics without a warranty.
It can sometimes be very difficult to distinguish a good product from a mediocre one
There are some items that you definitely shouldn’t buy at thrift shops. For example, clothes that smell bad. Whether it’s clothing or furniture, if a secondhand item has any kind of unpleasant odor, it’s a very bad sign. It indicates that it either hasn’t been properly stored or has been in contact with some kind of garbage or decay. In fact, if you’re not an expert, it can sometimes be very difficult to distinguish a good product from a mediocre one with an inflated price.
Most of the time when we visit a thrift store, we’re likely to find items that fall into the ‘maybe’ category. There are simply objects that seem worth taking home, but we’re not entirely sure if they’re worth it. In that case, we need to consider how long those items might last. Many types of items, according to thrift shopping experts, are simply not a good buy, regardless of the price.
When in doubt, consult an expert, and never impulsively buy something with a high price tag
When shopping in places like this, keep in mind that no matter how cheap an item is, if you know beforehand that you won’t need it or ever use it, don’t buy it. “Unless you’re a competent handyman, skilled with tools, and have completed several projects, I would avoid pieces that need repair,” says Ellie Christopher, founder of Ellie Christopher Interior Design in Birmingham, Alabama. Another good tip is: never buy items with a suspiciously high price tag. Furthermore, “Just because it’s a good deal doesn’t mean it won’t take you many hours to complete, cause you stress, and eventually ruin your house,” Christopher asserts.
If you’re shopping at a secondhand store and find an item that seems “too” expensive, remember that these aren’t new items; they’ve already been used. Their value isn’t the same. When in doubt, consult an expert, and never impulsively buy something with a high price tag, because you can probably find it much cheaper elsewhere. Shopping at secondhand stores is about saving money, so anything that isn’t fairly priced isn’t the best buy. “Sometimes, secondhand stores set prices based on inflated online ads or mislabel items as antiques,” explains Hailey Covington, founder of Gulf Coast Grandmillennial. Experts are clear on this point.
If you’re not an expert at repairs it’s best not to make the purchase
Incidentally, upholstered furniture isn’t a good choice at a thrift shop either. Reupholstering furniture isn’t easy, so it’s not a good idea. That’s why Audra Samnotra recommends leaving upholstered pieces that need a little TLC at thrift stores if you really want to save money. The same goes for items that need repair. If you’re not an expert at repairs, or if fixing something up would take more time and money than buying the same item in better condition, it’s best not to make the purchase.
Therefore, when buying an item from a secondhand store, it’s important to think it through carefully. Consider how you’ll use it, whether the price is fair and reflects the item’s quality, and whether you can expect it to last a long time or if it’s just a whim. Ultimately, before making an impulse purchase, it’s best to get a second opinion.