Used versus New
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Used versus New
If you have never considered purchasing something used, now is the time to do so. Buying used may allow you to get the bells and whistles that are on your list of wants, it may mean that you can afford your major purchase now rather than waiting until you have saved enough, and most importantly, it may mean that you can avoid using credit for your purchase.
Things To Know
- Buying used is more acceptable than it was just a few years ago.
- You might still get the bells and whistles when buying used.
- There are several places online, such as eBay.com, where you can buy things used.
The value of used
Used cars have made the difference in family budgets for decades, even when bought from private sellers. Now, of course, car dealerships offer "certified" sales, giving the seller some peace of mind. Lemon laws, too, have taken much of the worry out of buying cars used.
Any stigma that was once attached to buying used products is fading, if not already gone. In fact, people often say with pride, "I found it on eBay."
Just about anything can be purchased used today, as evidenced by the eBay boon, and more recently, Craigslist. You can even buy a used car online.
Risk issues
Some of the risk of purchasing used products is removed by large companies, such as www.overstock.com, that offer refurbished products, including cell phones, laptops, and gaming systems. Ebay sellers are rated, so if they want to keep selling, they had better offer quality products, good prices, and good customer service.
Make sure that your product comparison and price comparison includes a close look at what’s available on www.ebay.com and www.craigslist.com, as well as classified ads.
Keep looking
Remember, too, that what might not be available today, may be available tomorrow, so keep looking. In fact, some newspapers will alert you via email when a product you are looking for becomes available.
Get them for free
You can even consider getting the major items you want or need for free! The Freecycle Network (www.Freecycle.org) is sweeping the nation. Freecycle is a place to go if you want to get or give just about anything. The only requirement is that it must be free. You just might find that exercise equipment you’ve been saving for just across town, being given away by someone who is moving across the country. It’s at least worth a look.