Secondhand Shopping Secrets

Guest Contributor: Emma Parkhurst
USU Extension Assistant Professor

There’s something to be said about finding a gently used item for a fraction of the original cost. Ah yes, just the thought makes my thrifty heart happy! Whether you’re trying to save some money or you prefer buying used for environmental reasons, it seems as though there are more and more ways to buy secondhand. I first discovered my appreciation for sites such as Facebook Marketplace or KSL Classifieds after we bought our first home. During that last walk-through when the house was completely empty was pretty intimidating – so much space to fill! Rather than immediately hitting the big stores for brand new furniture, we decided to explore the options for secondhand items. Here are our biggest takeaways when looking to buy used:

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• Measure your space first – it can be really exciting to find a used item that matches your aesthetic. But before you pull the trigger, make sure you measure your space AND the item. It would be such a shame to purchase something that doesn’t fit the intended room! Or in our case...doesn’t fit through the bedroom door. My parents gifted us a hand-me-down, vintage, wing-backed chair that I perfectly envisioned for our guest bedroom. Unfortunately, we didn’t even think to measure the width of the arms to make sure it would fit through the door (which it didn’t), and it ended up awkwardly in our living room.
• Don’t commit sight unseen – sometimes sellers include a statement in their listing that goes along the lines of, “will hold with down-payment.” And while it may be tempting to offer that down-payment right away, I highly recommend double checking the seller’s refund policy beforehand. There’s always a chance you’ll decide to ultimately pass on the item for one reason or another, and knowing that you’ll receive a refund can provide such peace of mind. 
• Don't be afraid to barter – one potentially awesome benefit to buying used is the option to negotiate the price. This is something I learned as a seller of a used item. As the seller, I knew there was a certain price I would not go below, but was absolutely open to offers. It never hurts to ask!
• Talk to your relatives – even though there are yard sales, estate sales, secondhand stores and sites, sometimes the best way to find used items is to ask your relatives about hand-me-downs. In our case, my aunt had a handful of vintage pieces of furniture that were passed down to her, and she wanted to return the favor. We basically got to shop at her home! Maybe your parents have been holding on to something, or a family member is ready to upgrade their own furniture so they’ll be selling what they currently use. 

 
Do you have any words of wisdom when shopping for secondhand goods? Let us know in the comments below!