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With high prices feeling inescapable, many consumers are looking for relief in the secondhand market.

Beyond tag sales and thrift shops, online platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Poshmark offer massive markets for used goods, many of which sell at steep discounts to retail. In fact, used clothing has gotten so mainstream that it’s now tracked in the Consumer Price Index.

The financial upside can be significant: One survey of thrift shoppers puts the average savings at over $1,450 a year, with Gen Z saving upward of $1,700.

So what?

Whether you’re leaning on the secondhand market more — or it’s brand new territory — ground rules are key. Some items sell at bigger discounts than others, so you’ll want to weigh if the savings are worth the tradeoffs. Plus, it’s important to trust the seller and avoid things that may not be safe.

This quick guide can help you decide what to buy and what to skip in the resale market:

What to Consider Buying …

•   Higher-end clothing, jeans, jackets: Fashion items can drop as much as 70% in value, sometimes after just the first wear, retail strategist Jean Alvarado told Investopedia. You’ll also get longer-lasting value from durable materials like denim, leather or wool.

•   Kitchen appliances: The average discount for lightly used washers, dryers, refrigerators, and stoves is 50% off the retail price, according to Consumer Reports. Plus, it’s easy to shop for them at used appliance stores. Just don’t forget to factor in any delivery charges.

•   Furniture with hard surfaces: Things that are made of wood or metal are easy to clean and upcycle — think bed frames, tables, dressers, desks.

•   Dishes and glass or cast iron cookware: When there are no cracks or chips, reused kitchen items and dinnerware can be “good as new.”

•   Sports and fitness gear: Bikes, bats, hockey sticks, kettlebells, and workout equipment are all good secondhand candidates. (But skip helmets and padding, which may not meet safety standards or be overly worn.)

•   Books, toys, and games: Kids grow out of these so quickly that they’re often sold in near mint condition at a fraction of the retail price.

•   Musical instruments: Not only can you get deep discounts (15%-50% on equipment that’s in good or mint condition, according to MusicShop360,) but used guitars, flutes, and other instruments are ideal for beginners who are still gauging their interest level.

•   Some baby gear: Gently used high chairs, baby carriers, strollers (newer models), and nursery furniture (excluding mattresses) could save expecting parents bundles – 50% or more for the bigger-ticket items, according to Babylist.com. For safety reasons, experts do not recommend buying used car seats, however.

•   Hand tools and gardening equipment: Well-made tools are built to stand the test of time. And secondhand finds are a staple of many yard and church sales.

What to Skip …

•   Mattresses and upholstered furniture (sofas, chairs, pillows): Put what you save by buying a used bed frame toward a new mattress so you don’t risk bedbugs or other microscopic creepy crawlies. Plus, fabrics trap odors and are rarely totally stain-free.

•   Pre-owned phones or tablets that are no longer supported: The deals may be hard to resist, but you’ll be on borrowed time if you can’t upgrade to the latest operating system.

•   Electronics you can’t test first: Buying any sort of electronics sight unseen is risky, especially from a private seller.

•   Smaller appliances: A toaster or air fryer doesn’t have a super long lifespan and isn’t that expensive to buy new. You’re probably better off just waiting for a new one to go on sale.

•   Shoes: You actually shouldn’t walk a mile in someone else’s (worn) shoes: Their gait may have reshaped the insole or worn out the cushioning, which could impact your walking comfort.

•   Medication and cosmetics: Anything that you ingest or put on your skin should be sealed and purchased from a reputable source. The health risk that secondhand items could be counterfeit or tampered with just isn’t worth saving a few dollars.

Related Reading

Shoppers Are Increasingly Opting for Secondhand Clothes (Marketplace)

Second Thoughts on Secondhand? Why the Resale Market Is Expanding Fashion’s Carbon Footprint (Yale News)

How to Buy New or Refurbished Electronics (Wired.com)

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SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

Please understand that this information provided is general in nature and shouldn’t be construed as a recommendation or solicitation of any products offered by SoFi’s affiliates and subsidiaries. In addition, this information is by no means meant to provide investment or financial advice, nor is it intended to serve as the basis for any investment decision or recommendation to buy or sell any asset. Keep in mind that investing involves risk, and past performance of an asset never guarantees future results or returns. It’s important for investors to consider their specific financial needs, goals, and risk profile before making an investment decision.

The information and analysis provided through hyperlinks to third party websites, while believed to be accurate, cannot be guaranteed by SoFi. These links are provided for informational purposes and should not be viewed as an endorsement. No brands or products mentioned are affiliated with SoFi, nor do they endorse or sponsor this content.

SoFi isn't recommending and is not affiliated with the brands or companies displayed. Brands displayed neither endorse or sponsor this article. Third party trademarks and service marks referenced are property of their respective owners.

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