More and more people are turning to secondhand shopping to save money, to be able to afford higher quality items, to cultivate vintage or eclectic wardrobes and home design, to “flip” furniture or other items and make money, or to be a little eco-friendlier. Whatever your reason(s), being a secondhand shopping pro means knowing what to look for and where, and when to pass on items (some things just aren’t worth buying secondhand).

Where to shop

You might be surprised how many in-person and online shopping options there are for every budget when shopping gently used. For in-person shopping, there are three general categories of secondhand stores: thrift stores, resale shops, and consignment shops.

• Thrift stores include Goodwill, Salvation Army, Savers, Kiwanis Thrift Store, Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and local churches or other non-profits. These will have the biggest bargains but also the hardest-used items, as they usually don’t discriminate against the condition of donations.
   
• Examples of resale shops are Buffalo Exchange and Plato’s Closet. Since they pay people for their secondhand clothing, shoes, and accessories, they will have a list of brands they’re currently buying and a higher standard for wear and tear. You’ll pay a little more, but you’re less likely to encounter stains, missing buttons, holes, and broken zippers.
   
• Consignment shops are where you’re most likely to find high-end and designer brand products in excellent or like-new condition. Consignment shops are the most selective in what they’ll accept, and they only pay individual sellers once an item has sold.

You have even more options online to find and sell things. Online marketplaces are for users to sell directly to each other—think eBay, Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Nextdoor, Mercari, Letgo, Swappa (tech resale), and Bicycle Bluebook. These are the highest risk for damaged items, and the platforms don’t usually offer much (if any) buyer or seller protection from fraudsters, so be careful when negotiating a transaction.

For resale online, check out The RealReal, Depop, Poshmark, and ThredUp. With these, you’re going through a third party that offers buyer and seller protection, often with a nice return policy and a guarantee on quality of items.

Don’t just buy cheap products for cheaper

The market has been flooded for years with cheap clothing, cheap furniture, and cheap home decorations, and it has all filtered down into thrift stores. Buying something cheaply made (and sometimes unethically, with a high cost to the planet and workers) for cheaper isn’t a bargain at all, especially when you consider the item wasn’t made to last and will likely fall apart quickly, if it hasn’t already.

Avoid secondhand fast fashion, knock-off brands, and particleboard or fiberboard furniture.

Now, a solid piece of furniture or real leather shoes may show some wear, but because their component parts are high quality with higher integrity, you can usually repair them to almost brand new.

Be prepared to not buy anything

Shopping secondhand can be hit or miss. The best way to avoid regret and stick to your budget and/or desire to shop sustainably is to enter with a list of what you’re looking for and not stray from it! So, know which clothing brands you already love and fit well or which brands you wish you owned a piece from. Know which cast iron pots or leather purses hold up well over time.

If you don’t find what you need, walk out empty handed or close your browser with an empty cart.

What to buy

In terms of safety, hygiene, and bang for your buck, here are some of the best things to buy secondhand: clothing, and shoes, designer labels, jewelry, baby clothes, sturdy furniture, cars, kids sports equipment and musical instruments, books, vintage light fixtures, and even whole kitchen cabinet sets!

For those same reasons—safety, hygiene, and quality—avoid the following if you can: hats, undergarments, swimsuits, baby bottles, cribs, car seats, helmets or other sports safety equipment, tires, rugs and most linens (unless still in the package), and pillows.