7 good reasons why you should buy second hand

There are a lot of reasons why you should buy second hand items. We found 7 main ones, and we will try to convince you in case you are skeptical. Let’s start?

1 It’s way cheaper

It is probably the main reason why people shop at second hand stores : money.
And that’s what’s great about it, you can find simplen and useful stuff for a few cents. You need a new pan? Less than 5€. A second TV for the bedroom? You can have one starting from 40€. A new book ? Deal! It can even be free in some cases.

2 It gives new life to items

Now, price isn’t the only reason why you should go there. It’s not reserved for people who need to be careful a particular month.
Some items have a long story, that began way before yours and that probably will end a long time after. You shared an item (like a book or a piece of furniture) with someone. You have a stronger connection to this item, as you’ll be part of this item’s history.

I do love secondhand books that open to the page some previous owner read the most often.

Helene Hanff, writer

3 It’s better for the planet

The reason that motivates us the most : it is eco-friendly. Giving a new use for an item means not producing a new one. For instance, if you need an LP player and you buy one from a second hand store, you basically “saved” the creation of one. Why producing one when there are tons, waiting for a new owner? It is a more sustainable way to consume.
The turnover of items is huge. The more people buy and sell second hand, the less humanity needs to produce. (Without even mentioning the shipping, which usually happens from one continent to another.)
Bonus : a fair number of second hand stores is socially engaged!

4 It’s authentic

If you sometimes feel like sheep when you go to IKEA to buy the closet everyone in the queue already has, then buying second hand is ‘made’ for you. Sure, it will take more time before you find the closet you wanted, but you’ll be sure that your dressing room is more unique. You’ll bring the history and the authenticity of unique items in your living space.
You can check this Reddit to see how many cool items people find in thrift shops.

5 It’s time-proof

It’s natural selection. The items you are buying already resisted some years, and the poorly made and fragile ones are less likely to be represented.
Now, you can make some crappy deals, buying something that will break right away. But usually, only the strong survive.

6 It doesn’t lose value

It’s a bit like a game, buying second hand. You don’t know if you’ll find what you’re searching for, and often you come back with items you were not expecting to find.
But rest assured, the items you bought will usually sell at the same price (maybe more!). Brand new items lose their value as soon as they have been opened, which is not the case for second hand items.
Another good point to keep in mind!

Thrift shopping is all about going into the thrift shop and having no expectation of what you might find.

Macklemore

7 You’ll feel more relaxed

Unconsciously, you’ll use the item without being too careful. It’s not brand new, so you won’t be afraid to make the first scratch and you won’t get mad when you crease the page of a book.