1. Bike helmets
When it comes to
your safety, you should never shop secondhand. Minor scratches or dings in
helmets that you might be unable to spot right away can cause their safety
rating to fall.
2. Cribs
Cribs can stand
a lot of abuse from cranky toddlers, but you want to make sure your children
aren't put in danger by a potentially damaged bed. According to The New York
Times, issues with unsafe cribs led to 150 deaths between 2007 and 2010.
3. Laptops
Any small defect
in a secondhand laptop will only get exacerbated over time. You also don't have
the luxury of a warranty or customer service guarantee if you don't buy it new
yourself.
Buying tip: If
you are looking to buy something on the cheaper side, most retailers offer
refurbished products that are still covered by warranties, according to Business Insider. And major
electronics stores like Best Buy offer steep discounts on display models. Call
around to ask beforehand.
4. Footwear
Many websites
advise against buying shoes used because they've probably already been formed
to the foot of the person who wore them before you. Especially with running
shoes, this could lead to discomfort or injuries.
Buying tip: Duke
Health recommends taking a good look at the sole and arch of your next pair of
athletic shoes to make sure you get the best fit.
5. Cookware
Non-stick
cookware especially is something you want to invest in on your own. The
coatings break down over time, making them more difficult to clean and
potentially releasing harmful chemicals.
Buying tip: No
matter what brand you buy, take extra care of your non-stick cookware to make
sure it lasts. But be prepared to replace them every three to four years, on
average.
6. Upholstered
furniture
Bed bug risk
aside, odors in upholstered furniture can be difficult to get out, no matter
how much Febreze you use. If you buy furniture used, it might be best to
reupholster it yourself.
Buying tip: If
you do buy used upholstery, make sure you hire an expert to do the cleaning. It
likely will be worth the money.
7. Camera lenses
A tiny scratch
on a used lens could wreck your next photo shoot. Lenses are a big investment,
so it's probably wise to spend the money to ensure you're buying a quality
product.
Buying tip:
Salon has a list of the best camera lenses for your buck.
8. Mattresses
and pillows
Never buy these
— or bedding or pillowcases — secondhand. It's not worth it when you consider
the risk of bedbugs and other molds or critters that could be lurking inside.
Buying tip:
Spine-Health.com recommends buying a mattress that has at least a 10-year
warranty. And be sure to give it a test nap in the store for at least 10
minutes before buying.
9. Vacuum
cleaners
Vacuums are one
of the most-used appliances and they don't last forever. If you need something
that still has the suction power to clean the dust around your whole house, it
might be best to buy a new one yourself.
Buying tip: If
you do want to save money by buying used, make sure you test it beforehand and
follow these other tips, too.
10. Child car
seats
Safety is a
major player here, too. In the event of a crash, you don't want a potentially
damaged car seat to put your child in danger.
Buying tip:
Consumer Reports has a great list of highly-rated car seats, depending on what
style you're looking to buy.
11. Computer
software
Software usually
only has codes to be used on a limited number of computers, and there's a
chance you could get ripped off if you buy a used copy. It's best to buy
straight from the manufacturer to make sure you get a working version.
Buying tip: If
you're buying a piece of software for your whole family, you can often find a
software subscription with enough codes to load it on everyone's laptop.
12. Digital
cameras
This also
applies to video cameras. Since you'll be using this to capture important life
moments, you want to make sure you're not getting a faulty product.
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