Hey earth muffins! Shopping secondhand is one of my favorite ways to save the planet. Instead of buying new, it is fun to search for treasures among all the used options. From thrift stores to Facebook Marketplace, there are endless possibilities! While I’ve shared my top thrifting tips in the past, I thought it would be helpful to share how I avoid damaged pieces when shopping secondhand. Nothing is worse than finding a broken piece or hole once you get the item home. Avoid the damaged items by following these tips:
Give the item a complete inspection before purchase.
It is obviously important to inspect all the pieces in your cart/basket before checkout. I typically save this for the very end, but you could also inspect each item before it makes the cut into your “to buy” pile. Depending on how thorough your inspection is, you can either do it right there in the aisle or find a quiet corner of the store instead. Make sure you check all angles and sides!
For clothing, double check the areas most likely to have holes/rips.
When you are doing your inspection of clothing items, focus first on the high traffic areas that are most likely to be damaged. Rips under the armpit (or sweat stains) are common. Check the crotch area for rips, including where thighs rub together. Make sure the sleeves and collars aren’t stretched out. And, do an inspection of the whole piece to ensure there are no snags, rips, stains, or holes.
If possible, try the item on or test the object before purchase!
I think it is easiest to find damaged pieces when I try clothing on. Once you see it on your body, it is more obvious that one sleeve is longer than the other or there is a hole near the hem. Take the time to look at the back too! For electronics, I suggest testing the object before you buy it. Most secondhand stores have a specific outlet that can be used to test things – take advantage of that to ensure everything works!
Make sure it has all the pieces & is a complete set.
If possible, double check that you are buying a complete set. For dishware, count up all the pieces and match it to the price tag (often they will list out how many pieces there should be). Some household decorations also have multiple pieces, so make sure you aren’t accidentally leaving something behind! Double check all game and toy pieces are included as well, if you can actually open the box in the store. For puzzles, I always just take the risk and hope that all the pieces are in there!
Double check the quality.
When thrifting, you want to purchase good quality items that will last you a long time. The whole point of buying secondhand is reducing your consumption and making do with what has already been produced with the planet’s resources. As you are doing your final inspection, take the time to make sure the quality is what you are looking for. Will you be able to use this item for many years? How will you dispose of it at the end of its life?
Decide if you are okay with the imperfection(s)!
Just because an item has a chip or scratch doesn’t mean you have to leave it behind. I have plenty of secondhand finds that aren’t exactly “perfect”… A vase with a chip in it, just face the chip towards the wall. A sweater with a small hole in it, I just stitched it back together when I got home. While they may not be flawless, they are good enough for me! You get to make the decision if it comes home with you or not – it is just better to know of all the imperfections before you make this choice. 😊
Final Thoughts
When thrifting, it is important to take the time to inspect the items you find to avoid any surprises when you try to use them at home. This only takes a few minutes of your day and can save you from getting burned by unusable (and wasteful) items. After doing a thorough inspection, make the final decision if you will buy the piece or not, imperfections and all! I personally think some small flaws are no big deal and add some extra character… But, the choice is up to you. How do you avoid damaged pieces while thrifting? Comment below and let me know the best items you have purchased secondhand!
Love,
Jenna ♥
Such a great post! It is always important to check things before purchase…or decide that it is worth the risk! I bought a VCR at a thrift store recently (I don’t want to rebuy all of the VHS tapes from my youth on DVD…it seems silly and wasteful to rebuy what I already have) and had to decide whether it was worth risking it not working. The gamble paid off, thankfully!
Such a great post! Inspect before you buy! 100% on board with this.