Many people are hesitant to buy second-hand items, believing that they risk getting a bad surprise. However, the reality is very different. Here are seven reasons why shopping second hand is better than you might think.
1.-You’ll save a lot of money
Let’s start with the most important: saving money. It is well known that second-hand items have a lower cost. You can buy anything at less than half of its original price.
At this point we might wonder if the lower cost has an impact on quality. Fortunately, this is not the case. Second-hand stores usually preserve and protect the items for sale very well. Consequently, you will always find them in excellent condition.
It is clear then that these items represent very well the balance between quality and price. In some cases you may even receive a guarantee for what you buy.
2.-It will be a mark of self-expression
One of the special characteristics of all second-hand items is their originality. They are usually antique objects, and many times they are not even in regular stores anymore. So by buying one you are taking home a unique piece.
This applies regardless of the type of item. If it’s an outfit, you’ll have a vintage look. There will be no risk of running into someone else wearing the same thing. If it is a piece of furniture, your home will have an unrepeatable decoration.
In that sense, if you want to stand out, these items are the best option. The first hand ones will already have them all over the world. However, the ones you buy will not be found anywhere else.
3.-You will have items of a better material
At the beginning we talked a bit about preserving the quality of second-hand items. Here we touch the point again for a simple reason. The latter is that most of them come from bygone eras.
Back then there was a higher level of quality in the materials used. This is due to the fact that they were produced in smaller quantities, without seeking to save anything. As a result, the products that came onto the market were much more resistant.
Proof of this point can be found in clothing. Many T-shirts and pants from more than three decades ago still look great today. The same can be seen in many older vehicles, which seem to hold up better than modern ones.
4.-You can find discontinued objects
The constant advance of the industry makes products last less and less time as a novelty. This is noticeable, for example, with telephones. Many modern models have quickly become discontinued, as there are newer ones.
A discontinued product is no longer in production. Therefore, if you couldn’t buy it at the time, you won’t find it now. At least not in regular stores.
In second hand stores you will have a good chance of finding what you are looking for. This is even better if you like to collect rare and uncommon objects.
5.-You will know the object better
It happens a lot that when a product comes on the market everyone buys it immediately. It usually happens because of the promotion of the product.
However, the problem is that sometimes the product is not what it promised. Fortunately, this is no longer a risk when the item is second-hand.
Since it has been on the market for so long, you already know what it is, how it works, if it has had any flaws, etc. Therefore, your purchase will be much smarter, and you will be investing safely.
6.-You will contribute to protecting the environment
This reason is especially valid if you are interested in ecology. But regardless of that, the environment affects us all. That’s why the problem of pollution and climate change is so important.
Well, by buying second hand objects you will be contributing to combat this situation. And all those items you buy will no longer end up in the landfill. Thus, the amount of garbage will be much less.
On the other hand, the useful life is also extended. Second-hand items are passed on from one user to another, and the latter no longer has to buy them new. As a result, there is no need to spend resources on remanufacturing the same product.
This economy of resources is just as useful to the environment. Less production equals less pollution. In other words, the purchase you make will help keep your environment much healthier for you.
7.-You will support the local economy
Selling second-hand items is a very profitable source of income. Even more so when a person lacks other income. This alternative will help you to support people that sell their used clothes.
You can do this online and offline.
There are many marketplaces for second hand items. For example Ebay or Poshmark.
If you maybe even want to sell some of your items on platforms like Poshmark. You’ll need to share them with your customers. You can learn more about that in our guide to sharing items.
You can also use automation tools to make more sales on the marketplaces. These are called Poshmark bots.