10 THINGS YOU SHOULD NEVER BUY SECOND-HAND
1. Helmets
Protective headgear like bike helmets, motorcycle helmets and horse riding hats are built to withstand just one hard blow. ‘If you’re in a biking accident, throw out the bicycle helmet and replace it with a new one,’ the Mayo Clinic website reads. And here’s the thing with buying second-hand: unless it’s cracked, you won’t know if it’s been in an accident – there might be unseen damage.
2. Mattresses
Two words: ‘dust mites’. And ‘sweat’. And, hey, let’s throw in some dead skin cells, pet dander and bodily fluids for good measure. Oh, and bed bugs. Convinced yet?
3. Makeup & perfume
Used makeup is a bad idea – this is something someone has been applying to their skin, smearing over their lips or lining their eyes with. No sharing, please. And perfume, depending on how long it’s been standing around, will eventually go off.
4. Hats
Again, two words: ‘head lice’. Also, ‘sweat’, again. You can’t really wash a hat.
5. Laptops
Unless you’re friends with a techie, or you are a techie, you don’t really know what you’re getting. There could be spyware or viruses lurking on it, it’s no longer under warranty if something goes wrong and updating all the software might just cost you more in the long run. Proceed with extreme caution.
6. Vacuum cleaner
Does anyone ever really get rid of a working vacuum cleaner? Plus, they’re filled with all the grime from someone else’s home.
7. Car seats
The same argument applies: unless you’re buying it from someone you trust, you can’t be sure that the efficacy hasn’t been compromised after an accident. Why risk it?
8. Cots
Safety standards have changed over the years, so that vintage crib you have your eye on may well be covered in lead paint, and the ones with the drop-down sides are no longer considered safe – they have been recalled and later even banned in some countries.
9. Wetsuits
Neoprene deteriorates over time, even if the wetsuit hasn’t been used all that much. In fact, lack of use can cause it to harden. And if it doesn’t fit properly, it’s not going to keep out the chill of the Atlantic.
10. Miscellaneous
I’m just calling this category ‘miscellaneous’ because honestly, no one with any common sense should be buying things like swimwear, underwear or adult toys second-hand. Right?