Is secondhand becoming more acceptable.

paul5046

When i was a kid, no-one ever wanted anything secondhand. It was frowned upon and only good enough for the "poor" kids at school.
The internet and ebay in particular has meant more used items are easily available than ever before. I've bough loads of used stuff, from furniture to laptops and hi-fi. My tv is secondhand and i even buy some car spares from ebay.
At the weekend i bought a used shirt and it arrived today. It's as described, hardly worn, BUT i still dont feel comfortable knowing someone else has worn it before. I'm not sure i can go as far as used clothing.

Any thoughts.

Sublime_2

The antiques market has been going a long time, so nothing wrong with pre-owned stuff.

themull1

Ive bought boots and shoes hardly worn for me before off ebay, i draw the line at knickers and bra's!! Everything else i've probably had second hand especially jewellery.

Ma_Boswell

When i was a little girl ( late 50s/early 60s) my mum made me gorgeous dresses from cut down jumble sale frocks and we bought our furniture from an amazing secondhand warehouse in Preston. So its not a new phenomenon - i think the recession has meant that the stigma attached to being poor is lessening so people don't mind being seen to buy secondhand.

Maybeanotherday

I love second hand ! In fact I feel ripped off if I have to buy new and get no cashback lol

justAnotherGirl_2

I think it's also seen as kind-of trendy thing to do, reducing waste, saving the planet and all that (I agree it does work, but it is also a BIG marketing point). With clothes, vintage is very popular and in charity shops/ebay it is easy to find something more unique.

I buy clothes from charity shops/carboot all the time, many times even got things still with labels :j A bit more reluctant with ebay, as I like to see and possibly try clothes before buying them, but I got a few things and I am very happy with them.

My current computer is from gumtree, needs to be upgraded at some point, but at a time I didn't have money to spend and got this one cheap, fast and it does all I need for uni, so can't complain.

Used to buy books second-hand as well, now just use the library, even better

StumpyPumpy

When i was a kid, no-one ever wanted anything secondhand. It was frowned upon and only good enough for the "poor" kids at school.

Not to cast aspersions but... maybe it is more a reflection of your parent's attitude or the area you were brought up in?
When I was growing up (in the 70's) many of my Christmas presents were courtesy of a local toy auction that was run annually, and to my knowledge I have never owned a new bike. I thought it was great. My parents spent as much money as they could afford anyway, so it was no saving to them, but I got much better (bigger, flashier) toys, such as masses of lego and huge chemistry sets, all bought "as new". At school I couldn't tell you who the "poor kids" were or who had secondhand - it simply wasn't considered. It wasn't a "rich" school nor particularly "poor" but had a healthy trade in outgrown uniforms and sports kit. There was less opportunity to buy secondhand, certainly - but I don't think it was frowned on. At least not in my area.
Personally, I wish more people would buy new and leave the secondhand stuff to me :rotfl:it can be a real scrum at the boot sales these days:p

rubytwilight

I used to hate second hand when i was a kid but by my teens was a convert.

i like a bargain and not having the same things i see everywhere and i like loadsa retro clothes

i think with ebay etc not same stigma attached as years ago ,most of my wardrobe pre-loved (!) but like prev poster something's just have to be new

gatita

I get great delight at finding a 'bargain' for next to nothing...and as Skellett said, I also feel ripped off if I have to buy new!! The only thing I draw the line on is underwear.

Ryliesmummy

I too draw the line at underwear, fair enough if someone has mistakenly bought the wrong size (I've done it then sold on ebay!) but having a box of greying white bras and pants in a box at a carboot is a bit grotty!(It happens! Saw it with my own eyes:eek:) I always buy for my little one off ebay, I often pick up outfits in brilliant condition,. If anyone elses children are like mine, they'll wear something once and by the time it get washed, it'll be too small because they have so many clothes!