A good cost effective way to buy anything from furniture to clothing is by shopping the resale shops including the local Goodwill stores and pawn shops.
How to Buy Used Clothing
- Look under the arms and crouch area for torn seams.
- Watch out for stains that cannot be removed. Most resale shops have pretty tough standards of what merchandise they will sell in their stores but that does not mean that a small snag or stain might exist.
- Take the time to try on your selection. Most resale shops provide fitting rooms.
- Think creatively - many items can look great with alterations.
Furniture
- Check for sturdy legs on tables and chairs to avoid buying those that wobble.
- Sit in chairs and lean back as you normally would to check that the chair structure is intact.
- Turn upholstered furniture over to see the condition of springs and structure.
- Avoid sagging seats on chairs and couches.
- Check safety lists (see below) for any child-related furniture.
- Pull drawers in and out, checking that they glide smoothly and operated properly.
- Think creatively. Many surfaces may just need sanding and painting.
- Avoid buying furniture that needs reupholstering unless you can do it yourself. Reupholstering can often cost as much as buying a new item.
Small Appliances
- Pawnshops are a good resource for small appliances.
- Bring an extension chord if you have one. This is also helpful when shopping garage sales.
- Always try the appliance and make sure it works as intended.
- If buying appliances that have heating elements, keep the item plugged in for a while. Often such items will heat at first and then shut off before too soon such as coffee pots.
Large Appliances
- Plug in any large appliance and keep it plugged in for a while. Sometimes the appliance will shut off before performing whatever task it is designed to do.
- Avoid buying appliances from those who do not offer a written guarantee and return policy.
Next:
Tips for Buying Used Baby Items
