To think we all need to learn to love second hand

[Ravenspeckingontheroof]

Second hand almost everything? Go onto eBay; there are 92000 used size 10 tops for sale, 4500 used travel systems, 1700 used Bluetooth speakers. Go to your local recycling centre and watch people throw perfectly useable furniture away.
We are literally drowning in cast offs many of which will go to landfill, but which are perfectly useable.
I’d say about 1/3 of my wardrobe is preloved and maybe 10% of our household furniture. I love going and choosing new things. But I think choosing preloved needs to become a first choice, and we should be incentivised to do so.
But if I walk down any high street, read any magazine, pick up my phone I am bombarded with ads for all the new things I ‘need’. Every single shop is rammed with more stuff to buy. Our society depends on us buying more stuff. How do we fix this?

I’m currently renovating a very large quite expensive house and trying to get as much as possible from eBay and Facebook marketplace. You can get some amazing stuff but yes it does take time to trawl through the rubbish and you need a good eye. With interiors stuff you also need to be prepared to do a bit of work. My project today is a £5 side table which I will use wood bleach on and it will look just like the brand new table I was eyeing up for circa £450 online.

Shiply is good for delivery of eBay items. Often about £25 to get a large item delivered (obviously depending on location). Still way cheaper than buying new abs so much better for the planet

@TheCountessofFitzdotterel

What I would really like to see is more emphasis on repairing things. I have been bowled over a few times by how easy it can be- my bread machine gave up the ghost at the start of lockdown and I took off the base on the offchance I could fix it. Turned out the belt was shredded, I bought another on Amazon for £1 and popped it on and it was as good as new. I have sewing skills so have prolonged the life of a lot of clothes but my kids haven’t done textiles at school- DT lessons consisted of making weird and pointless objects from plastic, which is a lost opportunity. Though luckily there are YouTube tutorials for everything if they ever decide to learn.

Absolutely true. I have a beautiful lamp which was broken. I was going to throw it away but decided to get it fixed. It cost me £15 to fix. I used to buy second hand clothes for my children when they were younger and got some really lovely stuff. However, now most second hand goods from eBay , gumtree and charity shops are too expensive and shit quality I agree with posters who say that we just have to reduce the amount of clothing we buy

I think the problem today is that it's too easy to buy new - Just pick your phone up scroll through - get AO or whoever, delivered in a few days, old one taken away.
It's actually easier than buying second hand - finding someone to pick up large item etc, not so easy.

We all need to buy less stuff , I get a bit annoyed at the virtuous second hand buyers. If someone else didn't buy new and discard the item you couldn't buy that almost new, really expensive but cheaper to you item. We are all on this cycle of buying and reselling and it makes it ok to consume because we can sell on again. Just buy what you need and use it/wear it until its worn out. Also people have different lifestyles consume differently might not have a car but buy a few new t-shirts more,Don't have children, Dont consume the glitsy stuff most people think of as consumerism but buy loads of crafting stuff or have pets to feed etc. So as usual it isn't straight forward but happy you are pleased with your second hand items.

Hear, hear OP!! 🙌

Recently just bought a second hand piano 🎹. Looking more and more at buying second hand all the time. We are not teaching our future generations well if we buy new all the time.

I have also recently bought a second hand chest of drawers for my youngest children's bedroom. And second hand sideboard and second hand new desk.

Ouch have caught the second hand bug🙊😁😂

Also the constantly changing fashion styles - so you need new to look 'good'. Ditto room colours.
I know it's to provide jobs for designers, models, manufacturers but something needs to change.

I'd always bought some second hand things but falling pregnant with DS was the catalyst to take it seriously. I got his cot and changing table for a bargain, bought a new mattress. I wanted a nursing chair so I picked up a second hand one of those too. Every time he changes size I keep an eye out on market place and get lovely big bags of clothes. I love a bargain. We have a family do next week and I got him the cutest little suit for £2.50 on Vinted.

Well, ok, but some of us have been on this page for decades. Not needing to 'learn' anything, thanks.

I buy loads 2nd hand but I defo buy too much. Lots of clothes & shoes are barely even worn that I buy. I sell a fair bit of my stuff on as well.

Lots of furniture I buy is 2nd hand too.

45 years ago I had a mixture of second hand & brand new uniform

My house is a mixture of pre lived items 75% and new

My wardrobe is probably 70% new and 30% second hand - I love second hand handbags

But I find people place to high a value on second hand goods, recently I was search for a second hand bean ro cup coffee machine, window shopping. There were many machines that were the same price as brand new or £30 less. No come back if it breaks etc but they want almost full price. 11 weeks later the items haven’t sold, I cheekily asked one why the price was the same as a brand new model and sent the link. People need to realise jyst because they paid £1200 for a travel system doesn’t mean you’ll get £500 for it second hand etc

@HasaDigaEebowai

Shiply is good for delivery of eBay items. Often about £25 to get a large item delivered (obviously depending on location). Still way cheaper than buying new abs so much better for the planet

That’s really useful to know, thanks Hasa.

Years ago I used to buy second hand clothes & shoes, but it often didn't fit/ didn't need it or it looked awful on me. I accumulated many clothes and shoes. I ended up having a big clear out and donated them to charity. I actually believe I wasted alot of money on buying second hand. I now buy good quality clothing. I don't have many clothes, just staples that I wear alot. I don't buy more unless it's to replace those that are so worn out, they need throwing out. Some of my clothes are 12 years old, they still look good and I wear them. I'm happier buying new clothes/shoes/bags, when it's good quality and something I actually need/want. I've noticed that not many people want second hand furniture. I've tried selling italian leather sofas for next to nothing, no-one wanted them! I gave them to charity in the end. The charity that collected them, said that they struggle to sell funiture as everybody wants new.

@HasaDigaEebowai

What's your experience with wood bleach? We have some seriously old family stuff stained dark oak which I want to make lighter. Have you any before and after pics?

I buy a lot second hand , have done for years before it ever became the in thing. Only over the weekend someone was giving away two pine bed side drawers on marketplace, perfect condition. I snapped them up. Unfortunately somethings just can't be gotten second hand for safety reasons , such as car seats for babies. It's not recommended as you have no idea of their history , even though every day I see people selling them

I love second hand, I see no shame in second hand at all. Most things your looking for show up eventually.

Most of the things in my house have been in the family for around 4 generations. Even our sauce pans are on the 3rd generation. DHs family were very well off they brought good quality items that we are still using today. They may not be the most fashional pieces but they are well made and beautiful. We love them and the stories attached to them. We have a family tree and I know exactly who owned what. I grew up dirt poor wearing second hand. My family want disposible fashion and everything new and modern and the trendy logos. So probably alot of truth to the class post above.

At work we do a secret santa where everything has to be from a charity/second hand shop. We get some very lovely and surprising things on a very small budget. Part of the fun is revealing how little you paid for it.

I was bought second hand clothes as a child, and I don’t want to do that as an adult who can afford to buy new. But I do keep stuff I no longer use if there’s nothing wrong with it, as I do find that I will use it or give it away years down the line.
And I don’t buy clothes any more unless I need them. I’ve just thrown away a vest I wear for bed that I’ve had for years, it had four holes in it so it was time to go !
Due to lockdown I no longer feel the need to buy clothes as I don’t go anywhere now, I’ve got out of the habit of going places.

Wood bleach is really easy. Particularly if the furniture is solid rather than veneered. Light sand, whack it on with a paint brush, repeat once it’s dry if you want it lighter, wash over with water and a rag and then finish with a wax or other finish according to taste (or leave raw but then you risk ring marks etc). It’s really cheap too, google oxalic acid.

Definitely agree with the PP who said about fast homeware and the need for this to slow down.

I'm an auctioneer and we are the ultimate in recycling! Good quality antique furniture can be so cheap now. Many of the houses i visit not only have antiques but modern furniture that we then sell for a fraction of the cost. It amazes me, even after 20 years, that more people don't seek out bargain second hand furniture. With the exception of beds & kids' bookcases/storage I think all of the furniture in my house is either inherited from family or bought secondhand from auction.

I went in B&M yesterday, and all that tat is just headed for landfill.
People are buying stuff every time the trend changes, and it’s cheap enough to continually replace.

I'm currently fitting out a cafe I'm opening and it's all pre loved. It's really opened my eyes to what's out there

It's a pity that we can't have huge department store type charity shops organised into clothes sizes. It would be much easier to find second hand that way.

The British heart foundation do a good job around here and display clothes well, so I try and look there before I go to a new shop.

I agree antique furniture is insanely cheap at the moment. Seriously good quality stuff can be cheaper than Ikea.

I love second hand as well but for me and those on this thread to get nice second hand stuff, someone else has to buy it new and then donate it/sell it.

So don't knock it. If noone bought new, the price of second hand clothes would go up and their quality go down.

YABU and sanctimonious. Buy cast offs if you want but don’t try and force everyone else to as well.

I refuse to buy anything second hand because I want everything brand new. If someone else has had it, I don’t want it.