11 Things You Should Never Buy Secondhand, According to Our Experts

The benefits of shopping secondhand are vast and varied. Not only are used items often a fraction of the price of buying them new, but you also have the chance to find rare and unique pieces that are truly one-of-a-kind. Shopping at estate, garage, and yard sales is sustainable and environmentally friendly, and for many people, it’s a fun and affordable hobby. However, there are certain items that, for a number of important reasons, should never be purchased used. The next time you buy secondhand, our experts recommend leaving these items out of your cart.

Pillows

Bed pillows and throw pillows alike are better purchased new than secondhand. “You don’t know where they’ve been or how they were used,” says Alexandra von Gymnich-Scully, interior designer and owner of Rustic Rooster Interiors. Pillows, like other upholstered items, run the risk of carrying lice and a multitude of other germs and bacteria.

Some Vintage Dishes

If you are shopping for dinnerware you want to use with food rather than just for display purposes, there could potentially be a lead issue with some older dinnerware. The United States Food and Drug Administration didn't start regulating lead in dinnerware until the 1970s, which means some vintage dishes manufactured in the U.S. before that time could contain lead, says Andi Jenkins, vintage reseller and interior stylist. If you're unsure of where or when a dish was made, there are lead testing kits you can buy to determine if it contains lead. Doing some research on the brand that made the dishware may also help determine if it contains lead.

Mattresses

There’s no way to know how a mattress has been used before making its way to a secondhand shop, or for how long. “While bed bugs or bodily fluids are probably the primary concerns most people have with a used mattress, my biggest concern is actually support,” says Jenkins. “Mattresses break down with regular use, and a used mattress typically has sagging, sloping, or dips that can wreak havoc on your quality sleep and body.” 

Helmets

Whether you are a skier, cyclist, or skateboarder, you should always purchase new helmets and never secondhand ones. Helmets are designed to withstand major impact and must be replaced after a certain number of years. There’s no way to know how much use a secondhand helmet has seen or if it can properly absorb the impact of a fall.

Upholstered Headboards

Like pillows and mattresses, upholstered headboards are the perfect breeding ground for germs and bacteria. “Some people don’t wash their hair or bodies and get into bed dirty,” says von-Gymnich-Scully. “Hair products can stain and can leave a scent on the headboard.” If you’re determined to buy a headboard secondhand, opt for one that is not upholstered.

Luxury Products Without Authenticating First

Unless you don't care about authenticity, don't buy luxury products, like handbags and shoes, without authenticating them first. Unsuspecting buyers could pay a steep price for the inauthentic item with little to no recourse. “Authenticating vintage or antique luxury goods can be very tricky because of changes to a brand's logo and manufacturing locations,” says Jenkins. Fortunately, there are several reasonably priced authenticating services and Facebook groups that can help you determine if the item is authentic.

Rugs

With the exception of old, vintage Persians, it's best to avoid buying rugs secondhand, says von Gymnich-Scully. People often part with rugs because pets have chewed the corners, gone to the bathroom on, or thrown up on them. You might not notice the stains or odor in the store, but you might once you bring it home. No matter how hard you try to clean it, those stains and smells are likely impossible to remove.

Vintage or Used Cribs

Though they may be beautifully constructed, vintage and secondhand cribs are typically not the best choice for your new baby. “Constantly changing safety standards and product recalls make a secondhand crib possibly unsafe,” says Jenkins.

Appliances You Can't Test

When shopping secondhand, it’s difficult to test an appliance to ensure full functionality, and it’s impossible to know its history, like how it was used and when it was purchased. “Appliances already have a short lifespan,” says von Gymnich-Scully. “You won’t get your money’s worth.” However, you may be fine if you can test it, if the seller offers a guarantee, or if you want to invest in a stylish vintage appliance and have it refurbished.

Car Seats

Car seats are expensive and children outgrow them quickly, but parents should fight the urge to buy them used. “Many people don't realize that car seats have an expiration date, so parents need to make sure they understand how many useful years are left prior to purchasing secondhand,” says Jenkins. “Some retailers like Target have car seat trade-in events that allow parents to trade expired car seats for credit toward a new purchase.”

Used Bedding

Used bedding poses the risk of carrying bed bugs, lice, germs, and other bacteria, especially if it has come in contact with other textiles or upholstered items. “You just don’t know the backstory of how the bedding was used or where it was used,” says von Gymnich-Scully.