We all know by now that shopping second hand is a modern lifestyle must. The environment, for one, is guaranteed to thank us. And, of course, our bank balances won’t look too shabby as a result, either. At least, they won’t if we approach with the right mentality.
Luckily, bagging a fantastic bargain through second hate sales is now easier than ever. Whether you thrift from a store or online, it’s now possible to find most of what you need for less. That said, with largely unregulated prices on selling sites especially, there is a risk that you’ll end up paying over the odds despite your best efforts.
It’s a reality that no second-hand shopper wants to face yet, as thrifting habits reach the mainstream, sellers are finding ways to cash in. The question is, how can you continue to shop second-hand and still guarantee that you’re securing decent bargains?
1. ALWAYS be clear on the condition
These are pre-used items, and scratches, dents, or even outright malfunctions are sadly not unheard of. Worse, many sellers will refuse to take things back, especially if the small print or pictures revealed the damage and you didn’t look. This is obviously easier to overcome when thrifting in person, but you should always seek to understand conditions ahead of time when shopping online. More often than not, scrolling through the listing in detail will reveal a condition description. If not, don’t be afraid to message the seller. If they lie to you, you’ll have grounds for a return, so the chances are that they’ll be upfront here, freeing you to make an informed decision about whether an item is a bargain or not.
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2. Seek warranties wherever possible
Make sure, too, that you seek warranties for second-hand goods. This won’t be possible with small items, but warranties of at least two years are typically offered on high ticket pieces like this used Rolex Submariner, furniture, and electricals. These simply secure your investment by guaranteeing returns if things do go wrong. Perhaps more notably where initial expenditure is concerned, a warranty is a sure sign that a company believes in quality enough to back this item and the price at which it’s listed.
3. Remember to shop around
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Too often, we jump to second-hand buys because we’re convinced we won’t find that item elsewhere, but this is a sure way to overspend. Plus, with second-hand sales now such big business, finding precisely what you’re looking for isn’t half as flukey as it once was. Instead of jumping for the first thing you find, then, be sure to shop around. If you don’t find anything else, you won’t lose anything. If you do, you could end up paying significantly less than if you just settled for the first seller you came across.
Ultimately, buying second hand is rewarding and even fun shopping. Keep these pointers in mind, and you should even find that this habit can save you a not-so-small fortune.
