Best Things to Buy Second-Hand

Our album collection is heavy to move, it takes up space in our living room, yet we continue to buy old records for a number of reasons. We love the cover art, we love the sound of vinyl, and we love the price. On a recent trip to the record shop, we picked up a stack of great albums for $2.99 a pop. Old records are definitely on our list of good second-hand buys, along with a few other things...

Side chairs and tables are fairly easy to find in thrift shops and on craigslist. Metal and wood frames last a long time and tend to stay in better shape than upholstered armchairs. For tips on reupholstering a second-hand find, see AT's upholstery how-to's in our archives.

We've had good luck with thrift store dishware. Because we collect white china, it's easy to find a variety of mismatched pieces that still have a sense of cohesiveness.

Second-hand books are another great love. If we had a large home with tons of space, we'd line floor-to-ceiling shelves with books. Instead, we settle for a small stack of second-hand monographs and novels each year.

Vintage flatware is available in many flea markets, thrift stores, and vintage shops. Look for heavy or sturdy silverware that won't bend or break. A tarnished finish can be cleaned up with silver polish.

Many chain thrift stores (like GoodWill and the Salvation Army) have huge selections of clothing. Look for items with your favorite labels, quality materials, and no major holes or stains. Remember to wash or dry-clean anything before you wear it.

You can save a lot by buying refurbished computers and other electronics. Our refurbished MacBook cost less and came with a warranty as well. (Just make sure the item is guaranteed by a retailer - used electronics without warranties may end up costing you a lot in repairs.)

Decorative accessories are all over Etsy and other online vintage shops. On AT, we've featured vintage wall numbers, artwork, modern rustic finds, vases, and more.

Let us know your favorite second-hand buys in the comments below.

Comments (18)

i got a cool glass from the thrift store recently,washed it well a few times and it still had a hint of a musty old odor. had to donate it back...
so i don't know if i get more dinnerware/ things you put in your mouth from thrift stores...

I think you covered most of the good second hand things in this post. I'd maybe add bicycles and motor vehicles to the list. Just about the only things I won't buy second hand are underpants, shoes, and mattresses.

I prefer secondhand on most things - vinyl records is not one of them. There is nothing like opening a fresh piece of wax and dropping it on the turntable. I love the price of used vinyl but, on albums I love, I always want to buy new.

No to shoes, stuffed animals, and underwear, even if I find a good deal. That's just gross. People are always trying to give them away on freecycle, too. Ick.

Books, some toys (wood, vintage), linens for fabric, decor items, handcrafted (like paintings or handicrafts), industrial supplies (wire baskets, lockers), wood furniture, dishes, glasses, globes (my personal favorite).

Things I might add:

Lighting: Specifically table lamps and hanging lamps which are easy to rewire and get replacement shades for.

Area Rugs - especially Oriental Carpets: Many in the galleries are semi-antique anyway, so why not buy directly from someone who had it in their home?

Casegoods: Dressers, credenzas, desks, nightstands, end tables, etc. As long as it's in good condition structurally and can be refinished or painted, why pay retail for new?

Decorative items: Paintings, Vintage Photography, Ceramics & Pottery, Candlesticks, Sculpture, etc. Many folks don't know the value of what they have and are willing to sell for far less than gallery prices for similar items.

Fabric Yardage: You wouldn't believe the vintage fabrics that folks bought years ago and saved for those "One of these days" projects that never came about - as well as the fabric remnants from stores that have since gone out of business.

Vintage Draperies and Tablecloths: Another great source of vintage fabric for your decorating/upholstery projects.

Wallpaper: Who needs new contact paper for drawer linings when there's tons of vintage wallpaper out there - folks would buy it for projects that never got started, or they have excess leftover from completed projects.

Formalwear: You wouldn't believe the gowns, tuxedos and blazers you can get that were worn once or twice on a cruise or to a charity gala and never worn again - some designer gowns I've seen have never been worn and still have the pricetags on them!

I also buy most everything at thrift stores, and would add to the list vintage purses. I have used some to hold fresh flowers by putting a small vase inside an open purse.

tools! i've found great stuff at yard sales and went so far as to buy a nice vise off ebay. sooo much cheaper!!

If I'm interested in something from Ikea, first I check for it on Craigslist. Not only do I often find someone selling the bookcase, chair, sofa that I'm interested in for half the price, it is also a great way to see how the piece has held up over time.

I buy second-hand shoes from E-bay and such. I only buy the ones that look like they were worn once or twice, and that I know fit me well (Ecco, Born). I have had good success, and now really hate to pay full price for shoes.

shoes, jackets, dressers, lamps, coffee mugs, etc....almost anything

I have few thrift item restrictions. I'll buy vintage lingerie (but not, gulp, actual underpants) and vintage shoes. I just wash/ air out everything best I can and try not to overthink it and get grossed out. Germs - whatevs.

Approximately 80% of everything I own was acquired second-hand - its as much political as it is money conscious as it is aesthetically motivated.

Any 'must-have' kitchen gadget trend - salad spinners, bread machines, food processors, bizarre mandolins

Any 'As-seen-on-TV' piece of fitness equipment I want to gamble on for $5

Lamp guts, knobs

twine, thread, curtain hooks, wood hangers, felt pads, castors

Yes, to buying second-hand: Ceramic, glass, books, hardware, shoes and coats (vintage shoes and coats tend to be made of better-quality materials and employ sturdier construction than modern ones), art, accessories like scarves, purses and belts, furniture (particularly plain, unupholstered pieces like tables and bookcases), baskets, trays and clean, empty tins and boxes.

But I'd avoid buying lingerie, hats, mattresses, and bedding second-hand.

All the above and more!

Most of my wardrobe is second hand -- I like silk knit t-shirts, for example, and I get them now and then for under $5. Jeans for about that, too.

I craft, and a lot of my materials come from flea markets and thrift shops. (I guess people stock up then decide they aren't going to follow through.)

But flea markets are also good sources for new stuff, like cat trees and dollar store items. (Never used to buy shower curtain liners anywhere else...)

I see food items at flea markets, but I usually limit my purchases to produce, and then only if the claim to be locally grown. (Leftover candy or whatever could be older than me!)

I love to buy children's books circa '70s-'80s. I just bought a whole shelf worth for about 4 bucks. A lot of them I remember, and I love that I have found them again and can have them for my little boy to grow up with. It makes me sad when I open up an old library book and I see the word "Discard" stamped in bright red letters.

I also love to look for wicker. I don't have a ton of wicker stuff, but a basket here and there is really helpful so I don't have to gather all my sons toys up into one basket in another room.

And last, but not least, board games. Old ones. Ones I have never heard of preferably. I am however looking for an old copy of Clue, and it just doesn't feel right looking on Ebay.

I've been selling used toys for 20 years. Toys are excellent to buy second hand because they are mastered so quickly that they are often hardly used by the time they are ready to pass to the next child. Toys can last for years and can be enjoyed by many children. Many used toys were made when the battery was less popular...making many of them better toys developmentally than many newer toys on the market.