MSE Poll: What do you buy second-hand?

phoebe1989seb

I discovered a love of vintage clothes when I was still at school and this continued through my time as a fashion student and to the current time although I'm not quite as outrageous in my choices these days!

DH and I started buying on eBay in about 2003. Most of our furniture (with the exception of our superking ottoman bed and stuff like kitchen island stools) was purchased second hand on eBay.

However, it's not necessarily what you'd term bargain basement, as we paid £4k for one sideboard back in 2004 😮

We much prefer the character of second hand/vintage/antique over new stuff that tends to be rather bland/boring. I'd hate my home to look like a show home, lol!

I'd always go to eBay first if looking to purchase furniture or interior items such as lamps/curtains/art and have also bought preloved designer clothing (but definitely not underwear!!!), books, dvds (although having had a few issues with these we tend to buy new nowadays), garden items, cookware and vintage wool rugs there.

I'd say 80% of the furniture/decorative items in our home wasn't purchased new and came from eBay, fleamarkets or bricks and mortar auctions. I love the feeling I've secured a great deal on something fairly unique/high end!

Charity shops don't seem to yield much in the way of decent clothing where we are, but we have found some interesting books (art/architecture/garden design) and art. 

Our electronic etc stuff (ipads, mobiles, computers, tv) were all bought new as we've experienced problems the only time we tried our luck with a second hand iPhone.

No real issues with buying second hand vehicles either - well there was one but that's another story! For years DH always insisted on buying new cars but since discovering a love of Land Rovers we've had four used Defenders, the last of which was found guess where? Yep, eBay 😁

NaughtiusMaximus

These days now I'm financially comfortable, the only second hand stuff I generally buy are things which are no longer available new, although I'm very specific in that regard and have in recent years bought items of clothing and furniture 2nd hand because I preferred them to the alternate options available to buy new, basically if I buy second hand now, money saving isn't my primary motivation.

When I was younger and skinter, pretty much anything was fair game, although I drew the line at undies 🤢

Marvel1

I think I would buy anything besides clothes and bedding.

Neil49

Definitely children's toys, especially the electronic ones which can be really expensive when new. We've had some where all they needed was a couple of fresh batteries. We usually get them from charity shops where they have been checked over.

My wife gets all her books from charity shops. She has found some in near perfect condition for £1 or less. 

mjm3346

Used to buy books second-hand but now there are no actual shops selling just them near me so I now buy no "used" products.