20 Things You Should Never Buy Used - Part 2

11. Swimsuits

Buying a swimsuit is about as much fun and demoralizing as buying jeans. So without trying on a hundred of them I can’t imagine wearing someone else’s swimsuit. Think about it - swimsuits hug the body. The close contact can transmit bacteria and other diseases – which may transfer to you when you wear the suit (FYI – you CANNOT get AIDS from a used swimsuit). Swimsuits are also fragile. If the washing instructions aren’t followed, the straps might rip or the swimsuit might lose its shape. So you could be buying something that may fall apart after only a few uses.

12. Vacuums

Vacuums take a lot of wear and tear. (Just think of how many times you will slam your vacuum into a wall trying to get that last crumb or piece of hair in a corner of your house.) That can lead to costly repairs. You can just imagine what kind of dirt a vacuum cleaner picks up (think: pets, floors, indoor and outdoor spaces). With prices as low as $100 for a new model, it makes little sense to purchase a used vacuum filled with other people’s dirt.

13. Tires

Edmunds.com warns that thin tread isn’t the only safety hazard for tires – old and used tires can pose a safety risk. As tires age, they lose elasticity. As a result, the tread could separate from the tire, causing an accident. Even if the tire isn’t that old, it could have been treated poorly. Bottom line – you can’t tell a tire’s condition from the tread alone, so unless you know the seller and trust them, don’t buy a used one just because it looks good.

14. DVD players

DVD players often cost more to repair than replace. For example, a friend of mine took her DVD player to a repair shop because the DVDs wouldn’t load. The repair shop told her she’d need a new DVD drive tray. It would’ve cost $55 for the repair. She bought a new one for less.

15. Blenders

Blenders are subject to loads of abuse. (I’ve broken two myself trying to force-feed frozen strawberries and ice through the blades.) Not to mention most blenders have not-always-invisible old bits of food stuck to the underside of the blades and in the blending bowl. Since you can buy a new blender pretty cheap – I just paid $25 for one at Target – the savings isn’t worth it for used ones.

16. Costume jewelry

Children and adult’s costume jewelry can contain poisonous substances like nickel, cadmium, and lead. The problem was so prevalent that testing and subsequent legal action by the Center for Environmental Health in 2004 led to the recall of more than 150 million pieces of jewelry for kids. While lead testing is stricter now for new products, the used costume pieces you’re buying may have lead or other chemicals.

17. Pet food and treats

A recent outbreak of pet food recalls has me worried – after all, salmonella causes serious health problems for pets that eat recalled food.

18. Lingerie, Socks and Footwear

For obvious hygienic reasons, I don’t recommend buying used socks or lingerie, for these items are in contact with moist parts of the body. Footwear is also tricky because it conforms to the foot shape of the original owner, making it uncomfortable for anyone else to wear. Instead of buying used, shop around for deals. You can purchase discount lingerie and socks at discount store or online.

19. Appliances

Unless you have a tight budget or have the misfortune of facing a broken down appliance, pick up new appliances from the store. The cost of a new refrigerator is not much more than purchasing a used one. You can get good prices by using coupons and hunting for discounts. In general, washers and dryers take a beating so you may not get much mileage out of used ones (unless they are truly gently used). If you do need to buy used, try to get refurbished appliances with a limited warranty.

20. Power Hand Tools

Second-hand power hand tools have already gone through a rough existence. If you decide to go second-hand with these tools, you may find that they’re not such bargains after all, particularly if they give out or prove to be dangerous in the middle of a job. Why not find brand new marked down merchandise at hardware stores? You can also visit tried and true online sites such as Northerntool, Tool King and Home Depot for your home projects and construction needs.