Michael Estrin from AskMen.com and Liz Pulliam Weston from MSN Money wrote two articles of the same topic: where used items deliver more value than brand new ones. What makes to the list:
- DVDs/CDs/Games
- Books
- Sporting Goods
- Jewelry
- Toys
- Home/Timeshares
- Cars
- Office Furniture
- Hand Tools
I agree with most of the selections. For example, I haven't bought CD, DVD or books at regular price for more than two years now -- you can almost always get 50% discount or more at eBay. Both of my cars were bought as used, same as my house. My wife and I also have good appetite for garage shopping.
What I cannot agree are two items. First, jewelry. I know the huge markup by jewellers, and I will advocate comparison shopping when it comes to jewelry, but I cannot imagine someone will buy a used engagement ring for his fiancé. Sometimes, it is not all about money.
Second, I am not convinced I should buy tools as used. Yes, a used mower may look and work like new, but how can one know whether it hasn't been repaired before, and whether there are any safety risks. To be a cheapskate, I'd rather buy a factory-reconditioned one (like my desktop computer) instead of risking my life for limited savings.