What’s an unacceptable item to buy second hand?

[Chloefairydust]

I save a lot of money buy buying most of my clothes on eBay, and I also sell on there too, it means I can afford to wear expensive brands too. Haven’t tried Vinted although I might consider it. I love antique shops, and would buy certain items of furniture if my partner would let me, he only likes new furniture, he also won’t wear used clothing.

I have actually bought second hand bra’s from eBay (in perfect condition and brands I like). I wouldn’t buy second hand knickers though. Although I have bought a second hand bikini on eBay (worn once and in perfect condition). I just washed the bikini with detol laundry cleanser. And to be fair it was sent looking brand new and clean.

I would never buy a second hand mattress or sofa… any soft furnishings really. This seems a bit unhygienic (I think because I can’t sanitise it) and it’s the thought of not knowing what’s happened on the sofa before with its previous owners 🤢.

What would you not consider buying second hand? And what have you previously bought second hand which other people might disapprove of?

Underwear
Child car seats
Baby mattress

This did make me chuckle:

No sofa/mattress for you, but you wonder if people who turn their nose up at a second hand jumper have ever slept in a hotel...

I buy stuff of off ebay but I'm not keen on used items, purely because I worry that they've not been washed properly and have shrunk/faded etc. It has to be hardly used, worn once. I wouldn't buy pants either. Maybe a bikini. It really depends. I wouldn't buy bras as I think they'd kind of mould to fit the person. Shoes, if hardly used. Handbags yes, sunglasses yes. If I was buying from a charity shop then that's different as you can take a good look.

I buy a lot second hand but I would say nothing "intimate" knickers, swimming costume, dildos lol) or "safety-related" (car seat, bike helmet, riding body protector etc)

I would never buy a second hand mattress or other soft furnishings due to mould, bed bugs, fleas, etc.

No issue at all with clothing aside from underwear. The thought of wearing used knickers gives me the creeps, and I don't care how many times they've been washed.

I've never bought used shoes because there's an ick factor there for me.

any soft furnishings really. This seems a bit unhygienic (I think because I can’t sanitise it) and it’s the thought of not knowing what’s happened on the sofa before with its previous owners

I actually prefer second hand furniture - not mattress, but sofas/chairs. I have cats who scratch at my furniture and it would upset me if they scratched a brand new sofa, but one that already has a little wear and tear, it doesn't bother me. Also, you can get better quality for less money - I've got a Duresta sofa which I paid about £150 for (a few years ago) - could never have afforded anything better than Argos buying new!

Toothbrush 😁

underwear
mattress
socks
shoes
swimming costume
even trousers i am unsure, although i am wearing a charity shop pair, so i am obviously talking rubbish!

baby car seat

I would not buy the following second hand:
Mattress, cushions, sofa, chairs, soft furnishings - unless obviously still in packaging and not used
Toothbrush (incl electric one where I could change the head)
Cups/glasses/thinks to drink out of
Cutlery and used saucepan/frying pans
Pants and bras
Shoes/slippers unless new and in wrapping

Lipstick. Just gross.

Also I have bought second hand jewellery before but wouldn’t buy second hand earrings …

You're all missing out on sofas. Our last set was from Marketplace.

Two years old, in impeccable condition, from an 70 year old couple who replaced every 24 months strictly and gave us the original order.

I think we paid £150 for what cost them over £1500. Two arm chairs and a 3 seater.

They barely looked sat on!

Mattress
Cot mattress
Cycle helmet
Car seat
Underwear

I love second jewelry.

Kitchen appliances make me feel a bit queasy. You never know how well they’ve been cleaned and I just can’t do it

Knickers, socks, mattresses, cot & baby bedding, duvet, pillow. I think that's about it. Sofa doesn't bother me at all.

Make up because I get bad acne and that is a nice way to get a staph infection. Underwear because I wear enormous "granny pants" and I doubt they'd be sold second hand 😂

I think it’s just the thought of what the previous people did on the sofa, and if there’s any bodily fluids on it… Soft furnishings can never be 100% sanitised.

I also knew someone who used to change her babies nappy on the sofa ( no changing mat) …

Different people have different hygiene habits with their sofas… Maybe I would consider it if I knew who the sofa has come from, and I know it is clean 🤔

I would buy anything second hand except for sofas mattresses duvets and pillows unless new with tags

i did get a second hand Sofa from my brother though but that’s different I know him

Mind you secondhand sofas are very popular with people some don’t mind

Lots of people on olio take food that’s ive bought or made - I made a birthday cake and someone took half of it because there was plenty left I also gave a pizza from takeaway which had half left Also given half used sauces and Jars et cetera

Of course, it's your choice, but do you never sit on a sofa or fabric covered chair in any public place?

Would not buy second hand
washing machine, fridge freezer, mattress, car seats or anything else for safety, shoes underwear and probably more things as I'm very fussy when it comes to second hand.

Much to my sister's disgust I buy all my clothes and shoes second hand. With shoes like others I go for lightly worn. I buy second hand bras and second hand swim wear. Only thing I don't buy second hand is pants. Everything I just wash before wearing. Sometimes to get rid of a smoke smell or the overpowering smell of those laundry things.i also buy second hand bedding and furniture. I can afford nice brands like John Lewis,Hobbs,whistles etc which I couldn't begin to afford brand new. I also like buying second hand as it is the opposite of Uber fast shite like shein

Chloefairydust , yes it sounds grim, I know! But as I said, the bag of pants went in by accident, DH just threw everything that was bagged into to the car, not realising that some of the bags were destined for the dump!
I stayed at home with the baby, he went to the boot sale, started unpacking, and tells me people were literally taking them out of his hands before he could unload properly! They were nice pants, mind you, ones that I'd bought as sets to go with fancy bras and then not worn because actually I prefer M&S cotton pants to lacy ones!

I would buy most things second hand if I knew the seller (friend/family). If it were from a stranger then I wouldn't want second-hand bedlinen, knickers, toothbrush (even with a new head, which is probably illogical), car seat, bike helmet, probably a few others.

Some things I prefer second hand over new - cars, big ticket children's items (e.g. wendy house), furniture. I much prefer my 19th century schooldesk to my new IKEA table.

all of my sofas have been second hand