Finding a standard new product can be quite difficult, so you might opt-in for second-hand goods, especially as they are even cheaper. Or sometimes, you want new things because you like to be the first person to use a product and you don’t like the idea of using what someone else has used.

There are lots of factors to consider before purchasing either new or second-hand products from stores. You should visit UK CollectedReviews to check out some online shopping sites for various products. 

Concerns like receiving a faulty product, whether or not you can trust the seller and the lifespan of the product can discourage you from getting second-hand goods. But there are some valid reasons to shop second-hand.

  • It encourages community building: when you do people-to-people trades instead of business-to-people trades, you contribute to the strengthening of human relationships in the community. Purchasing a mattress from your next-door neighbour would force you to hold a conversation. It might be a 10-minute conversation, but you’ll likely discuss mattresses in general. During the conversation, your neighbour might even mention something about what he or she needs and you realise that you have it! If it’s an object that has no use for you, you can sell it to your neighbour. This is just a typical example of how second-hand shopping can build a community.
  • It’s cheaper: this is an obvious benefit of thrifting. If you are looking to save money while buying goods, second-hand shopping is a great option.
  • You might not get what you want: while this might sound like a big disadvantage, it is actually a good thing. We put a lot of pressure in finding the perfect new product and this leads to underappreciating it if it doesn’t reach our expectation, considering how much we paid to get it. But when you go for second-hand items, you automatically lower your expectation. Do you know what’s even better? When the second-hand product over-delivers!
  • There is an exchange opportunity: although money is the standard means of purchasing goods and services currently, barter trade practice is still on-going. This can be of benefit when you don’t have enough money to purchase a particular product. You can exchange something you don’t need (of relatively equal value) for the product that someone else doesn’t need. It’s a win-win situation for both of you!
  • It reduces material excesses: items like baby products are quite expensive and are hardly used for long periods. But because babies are constantly present in society, there’s a great deal of purchase of baby products. This can lead to excess unused clothing, toys and beddings. Instead of buying new products, second-hand shopping is a better option since babies grow fast and won’t use the products for long.

As there are benefits of shopping second-hand, you should also consider purchasing new products for some reasons.

If you are getting anything related to health and safety, you should always buy them new. A facemask cannot be reused by someone else; it should be discarded after use. Other items like car tyres, personal care products and gadgets are better bought new.

It is advisable to go for second-hand products in most cases, but the few exceptions mentioned earlier should be bought new.