AIBU to wonder what you WOULDN'T buy 2nd hand

[cariadlet]

Dp is currently wearing a pair of trainers that one of his friends gave him. Dd is also wearing a pair of trainers that she bought 2nd hand online.

I buy lots of clothes from charity shops but I'm really squeamish about feet and said that I would never buy 2nd hand shoes.

This led to dp and dd asking what I would be happy to buy 2nd hand. When I said no to towels, dp asked about hotels. Obviously I know that towels are washed and reused but I had never really thought about it. I had a sudden unwanted image of a previous guest using the towel in my room to dry their feet and crevices. I had a genuine physical reaction. It made me feel quite shivery and yucky.

I know I was being ridiculous and irrational, but please tell me that I'm not the only one. What wouldn't you want to buy 2nd hand or use after other people? (I'm assuming undies are a no-no for everybody).

Mattress, underwear, children's shoes and towels.

Anything else depends. We had a car seat handed on from friends - we knew full well it was safe and hadn't been in an accident as they were good friends. Similarly, we handed our baby car seat onto family, knowing it was safe. But buying from a stranger would be a no for me - you can't trust people enough, imo.

Oh and on the same note - riding hats or bike helmets. Hand-me-downs from trusted friends and family is one thing, but to buy from a stranger is another.

The only thing for me would be safety equipment.

Mini Boden underwear for example sells very well second hand!

I’ve also made money through selling my underwear on eBay

Motorbike helmet. The only reason is you don't know if previous owner has had a bump or fall. If they have and banged their head, even only slightly, the helmet should be replaced as the interior of the helmet protecting your head is damaged. Therefore, if not replaced, you're relying on the very thin outer shell to protect your head, and you never ever know what's around the corner (speaking from experience).

Bike helmets / underwear / child car seats bed or cot mattresses/ carpets / fabric sofas / rugs / cushions / bath mats / pillows

Shoes
Reusable nappies

Reusable nappies

They have a great resale value. I bought a load second hand for DD.

Underwear, make up, toiletries, car seats.

Anything with a gusset.
Mattresses, bedding ( although I wouldn't turn down a handmade quilt)towels, nightwear, shoes,soft toys or anything that says sponge clean only, shoes, headphones,any personal grooming stuff.

Underwear and shoes

Trainers ,shoes.

I had a bad experience buying second hand sofas recently so probably wouldn’t do that again in a hurry. Mattresses or divans which are not made of solid wood (ie which have some fabric) as I’m absolutely (weirdly) terrified of bed bugs!

I probably wouldn’t buy secondhand towels, but only because they get worn out. If they were “like new” it wouldn’t bother me that they’d been used by someone else before. Because yes, hotels and also staying with friends etc. I’m sure we had some baby towels secondhand and I didn’t think anything of it.

Anything potentially affected by an accident or being dropped or sicked on like car seats, travel systems, riding hats, bike helmets unless I knew where they'd come from. I've just realised I gave my bike helmet to a friend because I wasn't using it, but I can also promise it's never seen an accident (RTAs rarely happen inside airing cupboards, which is where the helmet lived without ever seeing the light of day).

You've got me thinking now - we love our inflatable Lazyspa but would I consider a second hand one? Probably not...

Don't think there's much I wouldn't buy second hand to be honest I live for getting cheap, charity shop bargains or stuff online via Preloved (or better still - Freeloved!)

As others have said, any safety helmet or car seats and similar items that could potentially have taken a knock and not be reliable or sound just aren't worth the risk. Hair brushes and dog / horse grooming kits I wouldn't buy nor use (unless the person / pet that used it beforehand is one I know and don't mind sharing with.

Otherwise I'm the cheapest, charity shop bargain basement queen I love finding cheap and cheerful second hand stuff

Underwear/socks
Pyjamas - lots of people/children don’t wear underwear underneath
Swimwear
Bedding
Cutlery/crockery
Paddling pool/hot tub (although we have neither)

I do have GAD which gives me unusual anxieties about the above stuff. We buy loads of clothing secondhand, apart from the above, and if we need anything for the house I tend to look at secondhand before I buy new.

Ugh sorry forgot to add safety stuff - car seats/bike helmets etc

Mooncup

Didn't have a problem with 2nd hand shoes until I was in a large discount shop with a friend who said I just want to try some shoes. So she did, revealing the most unpleasant feet I 've ever seen. Distorted yellow nails, bunions and athletes foot. Ohhhhh, squirmy. Had to walk away and look at some china as she tried on pair after pair. Have bought my shoes online ever since.

Shoes, underwear, towels, mattresses, cosmetics, gym gear or swim wear (I was in a vintage shop recently that had a whole rack of 80s swimwear. I do love a bit of vintage but draw the line firmly at a secondhand gusset).

Obviously not underwear. No mattresses, no reusable sanpro, no barefoot shoes. For DC I won't buy second hand shoes either.

Underwear, shoes, towels and bedding. The latter two are a bit unreasonable since I’ll happily use towel when I stay in hotels, and I obviously use their bedding too! But shoes mold themselves to your feet so if you wear someone else’s, it can be bad for your joints and feet.

Oh yes, cosmetics and swimwear too. You see a lot of “barely used” make up on FB and eBay, and the thought of it makes me squirm.

I only buy computer games second hand and maybe a costume for an event.

Am a little squeamish over second hand items especially for children.

I’ve worn second hand bras before and really don’t care about that but do draw the line at second hand knickers and swimming costumes. I think there’s a huge difference between tits and genitals but maybe that’s just me .

Having said that, I gladly use second hand reusable nappies. I mostly buy them practically brand new on eBay, doesn’t make me squeamish at all and I’ve successfully sold some on in the past too.

Pants