Important Items That You Should Only Buy Secondhand

Avg. Original Price: $1,000-$10,000*
Avg. Resale Value: 20%-50% original purchase price*

The main reason to buy used jewelry is the price. Just because you’re buying the jewelry secondhand, that doesn’t mean that there will be nicks and dents. Jewelry depreciates over time. Even the most well-cared-for items lose value as the years go by.

Fine Jewelry ©YAYImages / Depositphotos.com

What might cost thousands new from Kay Jewelers could cost a fraction of the original purchase price, if you buy it used. On average, the resale value of used jewelry is between 20% and 50% of the retail price. Make sure you look closely at the jewelry to ensure the quality is up to par and that you’re comfortable with the level of previous wear.

Avg. Original Price: $120-$4,500*
Avg. Resale Value: Under $500*

It might make more fiscal sense for you to buy exercise equipment to use at home, rather than pay a monthly or yearly fee for a gym membership. Even cheap gyms, like Planet Fitness, still cost $120 a year. It could be more sensible to purchase an elliptical or treadmill for use at your house, rather than incur gym membership costs.

Exercise Equipment ©belchonock / Depositphotos.com

That doesn’t mean you have to buy your exercise equipment brand-new from stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods or Walmart. Treadmills, weight machines, ellipticals, and more often get a huge price reduction when they’re sold used, even if there is very little wear and tear on the machines. 

Avg. Original Price: $300-$800*
Avg. Resale Value: $100-$300*

Cutco is an American company known for its super-sharp knives. This company has been around for decades, and it has gained a reputation for high-quality, if expensive, cutlery. The company usually sells knives through multi-level marketing or direct sales, but that doesn’t mean you can’t buy the knives used.

Cutco Knives ©igordutina / Depositphotos.com

Even used, Cutco knives have a quality far beyond knives you’d find at Target or Bed Bath & Beyond. You might pay hundreds of dollars for a Cutco set brand-new, but that price could be cut to $100-$300, if you purchase the knives used from someone who is selling their pieces or sets.  

Avg. Original Price: $500-$1,000*
Avg. Resale Value: $100-$400*

While pod coffee makers are all the rage now, there is still something to be said about an espresso machine. If you’re fussy about your coffee and want a barista-like cup, an espresso machine could be worth it. These machines aren’t cheap. A new one can cost thousands, depending on how commercial you want it to be.

Espresso Machines ©bogdan.hoda / Depositphotos.com

A used espresso machine might have depreciated in value, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t workable. Buying a used machine is a way to offset the otherwise high cost of these appliances. Not to mention, you’ll save more money making your own espresso than you will by taking a daily trip to Starbucks.  

Avg. Original Price: $45,031* (New)
Avg. Resale Value: $22,000*

You’ve probably heard the old saying that new cars depreciate in value the second you drive them off the lot. This is true, and that’s why most people purchase their cars secondhand. The average price of a new vehicle is over $40,000, while the average price of a used car is around half that.

Cars ©welcomia / Depositphotos.com

Used cars let you get more for your money, and, since their best years are already behind them, your insurance costs might be less. Certified pre-owned cars cost more than other used cars, but they might be in nearly new condition. Whether you’re purchasing a Ford or a Mercedes, used cars are the way to go.  

Avg. Original Price: $10-$50*
Avg. Resale Value: 50%-70% less than retail price*

Kids grow quickly. You might find that the shirt or pants you bought for them just months before no longer fits. It makes sense to buy used kids’ clothing. Though kids’ clothes aren’t expensive when you go to stores like Walmart or Target, you can score a major discount when you look in consignment and secondhand stores.

Children's Clothes ©djedzura / Depositphotos.com

As long as the clothes are in good condition and fit well, there is no issue with them. Often, you can find used clothing from labels like Gap that look good as new. Just make sure you check the clothing carefully to make sure there is no wear and tear. And, of course, re-wash the clothing when you get home.   

Avg. Original Price: $98-$128*
Avg. Resale Value: 50%-70% less than retail price*

Lululemon is one of the most expensive brands around, as far as its leggings go. The brand is beloved by everyone, despite costing hundreds of dollars. The reason Lululemon is so expensive is because of the fabric developing techniques and machines used. The company also puts its clothing through extensive quality control and testing to ensure that the clothes are in the best condition possible.

Lululemon Leggings @lululemon / Pinterest.com

If you can’t afford Lululemon leggings at their regular high price, you might be able to find them used at secondhand stores or on eBay. The brand has a lifetime replacement policy, so you might be able to fineagle your way into a new pair. 

Avg. Original Price: $300-$1,500*
Avg. Resale Value: 20% less than retail price* 

When you’re buying furniture used, you need to learn about its backstory, including where it was and who owned it. It’s best to buy non-upholstered furniture (usually furniture that is made of wood or metal with no fabric) used, as there is no chance of bedbugs or any other creepy-crawlies hitching a ride.

Non-Upholstered Furniture ©Ivan Gulei/stock.adobe.com

Furniture has a long shelf life, as long as it is of high quality. Brands like Hamilton Beach, Hooker, Bernhardt, Klaussner, and more will last quite a while. If you’re buying furniture used, don’t pull it off the side of the road. Go to actual secondhand and antique shops. That way, you can learn about the furniture’s backstory and test it out yourself before purchasing. 

Avg. Original Price: $1,500*
Avg. Resale Value: $200-$400*

Whether you’re a dedicated mountain biker or a casual hobbyist, it makes more sense to buy a used bicycle, as opposed to one that is brand-new. You can get a used bike for anywhere from $200 to $400. The average price of a bicycle, when purchased new, is around $1,500.

Bicycles @specializedbicycles / Facebook.com

If you’re looking for a regular bicycle that you’ll use casually, you might be able to get that for $50-$100. No matter the brand, whether it’s Schwinn or Vista, you’ll pay more for bikes that are heavier-duty and have more advanced features. Of course, make sure to take the bicycle for a test ride before paying for it.

Avg. Original Price: $300-$4,500*
Avg. Resale Value: 40%-60% retail price* 

There are some types of instruments that are better to purchase secondhand than others. In fact, there are even stores that purchase used instruments, such as Music Go Round. Expect to pay 40%-60% of the retail price of the instrument, depending on the quality it is in.

Musical Instruments @A & B Musical Instruments/Facebook.com

Woodwind instruments are better bought new. If you have to buy them secondhand, be sure to sanitize them thoroughly before you use them. Guitars, speakers, and similar pieces of equipment are safe to purchase secondhand from music stores or from online vendors selling their gear on eBay. As with furniture, make sure to learn about the instrument’s backstory, including who owned it before you and how frequently they played.

Avg. Original Price: $415 per book*
Avg. Resale Value: $100-$200 per book*

Any college student can confirm this one. Textbooks are extremely expensive, whether you buy them used or new. New textbooks can cost hundreds, if not thousands of dollars, particularly if you’re purchasing them for professional or S.T.E.M. fields. 

Textbooks ©AndreyPopov / Depositphotos.com

The reasons behind the expensiveness vary, but one thing is for sure: buying textbooks used is the best way to purchase them. You can see a price reduction of nearly half when you buy them used. There might be highlighter or pen marks in the books, as well as wear and tear, but the money you save will be worth it.

Avg. Original Price: $20-$30 per set*
Avg. Resale Value: $10-$15*

You might have noticed that Tupperware can be pretty expensive. This is because of the value the brand’s name carries, as well as its quality. Tupperware is still considered the king of food storage, though brands like Rubbermaid have seen their quality improve over the years to comparable levels.

Tupperware ©photography33 / Depositphotos.com

If you have a cabinet full of lids and containers that you’re trying to get rid of (or, conversely, you want to score some secondhand Tupperware), there is a market for used products from this brand. You can expect to pay at least a few bucks less for a set, if you buy it used. Just be sure to re-clean it thoroughly after purchasing. 

Avg. Original Price: $550-$1,000*
Avg. Resale Value: $180*

Apple has a lot of payment options, as does Android, for people who want a new smartphone but cannot pay the full price upfront. For example, you can pay in installments, which are attached to your monthly phone bill. Another way to save money on a smartphone is to purchase it “refurbished.”

Refurbished Smartphones ©AndreyPopov / Depositphotos.com

A refurbished smartphone is one that has been pre-owned, but the previous owners returned the smartphone because there was something wrong with it. Upon receiving the returned phone, the manufacturer fixes it and prepares it for resale. Though these refurbished smartphones are thoroughly tested to make sure they’re completely fixed, they often cost far less than new phones, even though they’re functionally at the same level.

Avg. Original Price: $300-$1,000*
Avg. Resale Value: $50-$200*

When you’re buying lawn equipment secondhand, it’s best to find out why the original sellers are getting rid of the equipment. If there are faults or glitches with it, pass the equipment on by. But, if the equipment is being sold in working condition, buying it used is far more sensible than spending hundreds or thousands on the same product brand-new.

Lawn Tools ©Vitalliy / Shutterstock.com

You can browse classified ads, yard and estate sales, or thrift stores for pre-owned equipment. If you have a local hardware or gardening store, it’s possible that they have some type of buyback and resale program with used lawn equipment that you can browse.