If you’re a savvy shopper, you’ll take a few extra steps to find a really good bargain. Whether that means sifting through clearance racks at your favorite stores or doing price comparisons online, if there are savings on the table, you’ll find them. Plus, you know that one of the best ways to save money is by buying items secondhand.
With over 25,000 consignment, resale, and thrift shops in America, the opportunities to buy previously owned, like-new clothing, accessories, furniture, and specialty items is too easy to pass up. In fact, 93% of Americans shop online for secondhand items, according to Capital One data, saving an average of $1,760 per year while also helping to reduce waste and conserve resources.
Experts agree thrifting is a genius way to get the things you need at a steep discount. Here are their suggestions of the top TK products you should always buy secondhand—otherwise, you’re wasting your money.
RELATED: How to Find Treasures at Thrift & Secondhand Stores
1. Men’s & women’s clothing
Shutterstock
“Clothing is the most popular category to buy secondhand,” says Trae Bodge, Smart Shopping Expert at truetrae.com.
Why? Well, as trends come and go and the long-term effects of fast fashion continue to plague the planet, more people are turning to thrifting their everyday looks and special occasion wear.
“You can shop at vintage stores, which have a curated selection, or try a Goodwill or Salvation Army, where the selection will be broader and the prices significantly lower,” says Bodge. “In either case, you will be paying significantly less than you would when buying new.”
Cheryl Conner, founder and CEO at SnappConner PR, uses thrifting for what she calls a “circular wardrobe.” She buys and later resells high-end designer clothing, jeans, and athletic wear. “The best sources are ThredUp and Poshmark, and I sell regularly on ThredUp to fund the new purchases,” she says.
2. Kids’ clothing
45 | Expensive Baby ClothesAfrica Studio / Shutterstock
“Children outgrow clothing faster than any other demographic, making their items lightly used and abundant in the secondhand market,” says Fady Kasbar, CEO & founder of Blossoms, a parent-to-parent marketplace app where families can give and receive children’s clothing to each other for free (yes, for free!).
Kasbar started Blossoms to eliminate the pricey cost of kids’ clothing for families in the U.S. and keep perfectly good items out of landfills.
“Used clothing has minimal depreciation in function—a well-kept onesie is just as effective whether it’s new or secondhand,” he says.
3. Gym equipment
Shutterstock
Why buy a brand-new treadmill or weight rack when there are countless previously owned ones in perfectly good condition?
Ari Kimmelfeld made this revelation when starting his company, Trade My Stuff, an online store specialized in buying, selling, and delivering secondhand fitness equipment from brands like Peloton, Tonal, Hydrow, Bowflex, and Assault.
“In my research, I saw the numbers, and it was crazy: 4.5 million Pelotons have been manufactured, but the company only has 3 million paying subscribers. That means 1.5 million units are just sitting in people’s apartments, garages, or basements collecting dust,” he says.
Trade My Stuff takes these pre-owned bikes, as well as pilates reformers, rowers, and other machines, then inspects, refurbishes, and resells them with an 18-month warranty and home delivery. That’s not something you’ll get from buying directly from a stranger online.
“We figured there was value in delivering to people’s homes instead of them having to message a stranger, show up with cash or Venmo, and inspect something they don’t really know how to inspect,” Kimmelfeld says.
Also of value? The price. On Trade My Stuff, a used Peloton bike starts at $499, compared to $1,000+ for a refurbished bike directly from the brand.
4. Bicycles
Shutterstock
“If you’re in need of a bike, you can find a well-maintained one if you know where to look,” says Nick Drewe, CEO and money-saving expert at Wethrift.com. “Secondhand bikes are definitely cheaper than brand-new ones.”
Drewe suggests looking for online biking groups and seeing if any of the members have a pre-loved bike up for grabs. Or, Facebook Marketplace can also be a good source.
5. Luxury watches
5 | Luxury goodsShutterstock
Investing in a nice watch that can last a lifetime (and beyond) is no simple choice, but by choosing a pre-owned piece, you may also be buying a priceless story to go along with your new arm candy.
“Buying a pre-owned Rolex, Omega, Breitling, or Cartier at auction can save you money and a waitlist,” says Reyne Hirsch, owner and fine art expert at Dallas Auction Gallery, which specializes in selling all things secondhand. “You can find watches that are barely worn, and their original box and paperwork are still included at the auction.”
Just make sure you’re buying from a reputable auction house that can prove the authenticity of a luxe timepiece, Hirsch adds. If a business isn’t able to guarantee you that piece of mind, look for a secondhand watch elsewhere.
6. Jewelry
Shuttertock
“If you’re looking to add some bling to your collection, don’t ignore the costume jewelry cases at secondhand stores,” says Bodge. “The nicer pieces will be behind glass, but it’s worth asking to see pieces that appeal to you because you might just find something unique, special, and inexpensive that you can’t find in accessories stores today.”
Hirsch agrees, and suggests looking at auction sites for glistening pieces.
“Everyday diamond jewelry like necklaces, bracelets, and rings cost less at auction,” she says. “Unless you are trying to buy an investment-grade diamond, this is where you should buy your diamonds.”
7. Dining room furniture
Shutterstock/J.Croese
Furniture is always a hot-selling item at antique stores, vintage markets, and thrift shops because a one-of-a-kind, well-made piece will always be more impressive than a common buy from a chain store.
Specifically, Melanie Musso, a consumer finance expert with Clearsurance.com, suggests getting your dining room table and chairs secondhand.
“Solid-surface furniture can be cleaned, so you don’t have to be as concerned about previous use as you would with upholstered furniture like arm chairs and couches,” she says. “You can find local options by checking out Facebook Marketplace.”
RELATED: 10 Most Affordable Home Decor Stores
8. Fine china
Shutterstock
“While fine china was once a luxury that only the wealthy could afford, it is now more accessible thanks to thrift stores, estate sales, and vintage shops,” says Joel Roadruck, senior coach and thrifting expert at CTBids, an innovative online auction platform for estate sales on which every bid starts at one dollar.
He also points out that influencers on TikTok and Instagram are showing off their lavish and fun dinner parties, which has revived interest in beautiful and funky fine china sets.
By looking online or at vintage stores, you can buy a high-quality set at an affordable price. “You may even find hidden gems,” Roadruck adds. “The internet is littered with stories of people who paid less than $100 for china sets that turned out to be worth much more.”
RELATED: Secondhand Shopper Finds $300 & a Secret Note in a Purse
9. Portable air conditioners and space heaters
Shutterstock
These are unassuming appliances that you can safely thrift, according to Kelly Russum, owner of KC’s 23 ½ Hour Plumbing & Air Conditioning in California and a heating, cooling, and air quality expert with over 46 years of experience.
“Many people sell these after a season, and since they work as good as new ones, you can save fifty percent,” says Russum. “Just make sure the unit isn’t older than five years, as older models can be less energy-efficient and may not have safety features.”
10. Books
10 | BooksShutterstock
“There’s no reason to buy brand-new books when thrift stores and secondhand shops are stacked with them for a couple of bucks,” says Joosep Seitam, the co-founder of Icecartel, a New York based men’s jewelry e-commerce platform.
“Local thrift stores and flea markets are where you can find the best secondhand items in pristine condition. If you know exactly what you’re looking for, go online and visit eBay, Craigslist & Facebook Marketplace. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed.”
Content shared from bestlifeonline.com.