by Michael Smith (Veshengro)
A fair amount of saving throughout a year can be had if you buy certain things secondhand.
Probably the most significant savings can be had from the cars, clothes, and books used. I don't have a problem, as far as cars are concerned, as I do not drive but use a bicycle only and I have rebuilt a number of bikes from bicycles that others have thrown away.
However, it must be remembered that buying used can have issues of its own, and not every used item is worth the savings it might provide. If you know what you're doing though, know what to look for, and are prepared for encountering a lemon occasionally in your purchases, buying used could save you a great deal.
As I have no idea as to cars I shall not make much mention of this and leave writing and talking about buying used cars to those that know; used bicycles are another story altogether.
Bicycles
There are a number of sourced for used bicycles, from the straightforward cycle shops to specialists, such a charities, that refurbish old bicycles for those in need or simply to sell in order to raise funds for projects.
Then, obviously, there are the used bikes that are advertised in the small ads in the local newspapers, in the windows and on the noticeboards in some stores or via some internet sites.
In the former case you do have a comeback as to something being wrong with the secondhand used bike that you have bought while this may not always the case with any purchase via another source in the latter case.
Clothes
I have no problem buying nice clothes, and actually wear many name brands, but I rarely buy these items new and hardly ever pay full price for them. Instead, I seek out the Charity shops and Goodwill stores.
It never ceases to amaze me what great, lightly worn clothing turns up in such spots and even clothing that still has their labels in them, meaning that they have, probably, never, ever, been worn. Considering that those goods have been donated to the charities or the Goodwill people still have to too much money to waste, despite the Great Recession still being upon us.
I have bought shirts made by T W Levin, and other, that are somewhere in the region of US$ 70plus, for about US$5 each. And that is just one small example.
Books
While I'm an avid reader, unless someone gives me a gift card to a bookstore, I rarely buy books new. I can get them at library sales, garage sales, from resale shops or online, often for pennies on the dollar of what they would cost me in a bookstore. Over the years I would guess I've likely saved close to several thousand dollars this way. Better yet, once I'm done with my books, unless I really loved the read and decide to keep it in my personal collection, I can turn around and sell them back at garage sales or even give them back to a Charity shop.
Other books come my way as review copies and those, I must say, generally, remain in my collection as they are something that I may want to refer back again.
Dishes
I hate paying full price for dishes and plates, etc. but you can get reasonably priced dishes at places such as Wal-Mart or Target, in the USA, or Sainsbury's, Home Base, etc., in the UK. However, I have found a variety of styles, shapes, and sizes of lovely dishes and glassware at garage sales and Charity shops and could have filled my cabinets many times over if I truly desired to do so, for much less than I would probably have paid for one set of dishware at most department stores. And many times, the used dishes at such spots are more unique and have more character to them than most of the newer sets.
Mugs I certainly don't have to buy any more for a very long time to come as, ever so nicely, many vendors at trade fairs that I happen to visit as a writer give them away free to visitors to their booths or even hand them out in goody bags if you just happen to bass by the stand. Thanks very much.
Tools
It is rare that one would find power tools at garage sales or car boot sales, and definitely not in Charity shops; they are not allowed to sell things like that. However, there are always plenty of hand tools and I have picked up many a good tool in those places, often proper antiques that will still work as good today as they did in their heyday about a 100 years ago.
I must say that I probably would not buy any kind of electrical power tool at a garage sale or such for reasons of safety I might buy gasoline-powered ones though, such as chainsaws, etc. Simply because I would be able to fix those without endangering myself.
It is worth considering secondhand and used for quite a number of things, as far as I am concerned, and furniture also can fall in to that category.
© 2011
