3 Things You Should Buy New, Not Used

From thrift shops to eBay, there are many ways to shop secondhand. Buying gently used items can keep more money in your pocket. For many items it’s also a smart choice, but some things are better purchased new.

Kid-related items are often a good thing to buy used, since kids outgrow clothes very quickly. This means kids will get less wear out of whatever clothes you get them, so if you buy new (and more expensive) items, you are paying more per use. And also, it means that used items might be more like new (since the kids who owned them before yours probably didn’t wear them much before growing out of them).

Here are three things that are worth the extra bucks to purchase new.

1. Car Seats

You know how I said kids’ items are good to buy used? Kids’ items related to safety are another story. Car seats are best bought new. They are often expensive, but they are designed to protect your child in the car. Many of us spend a good deal of time in the car. Car seat safety regulations change regularly, so to ensure yours is up to date, it’s best to have one of the latest models. Plus, it’s hard to tell if something is wrong with a car seat — it may look fine but could be damaged, defective or even recalled. Buying new can be worth it for the peace of mind of knowing your child is safer.

2. Bicycle Helmets

For similar reasons, safety equipment in general can be worth buying new. Bicycle helmets, for example, are meant to protect your head and brain from an accident. It can be hard to notice minor cracks or damage to the interior in a used helmet. When you are out exercising on a bicycle or rollerblades, a helmet can save your life.

3. Mattresses

Safety is also a big reason to skip the secondhand mattress. New ones can be expensive, but you will know where they’ve been! When you buy a used mattress you can’t guarantee that it’s clean, and this can be dangerous. Things like bodily fluids, pet dander, mold and mildew aren’t always visible to the naked eye. But while some of these items are just plain gross, others can cause allergic reactions or respiratory problems.

Organisms such as dust mites and fleas pose health risks as well. And then there are bed bugs. We’ve all head about how difficult and expensive it can be to get rid of these creatures. That deal you got on the used mattress won’t seem so good when you are shelling out tons of money to the exterminators!

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Image: Wavebreak Media