Naturally buying second-hand when it comes to clothing, interior decorations, furniture and vehicles saves you a lot of money, but often comes with some ‘shame’. Most of this shame is social based, considering “what will people think of me?” along with knowing your item is not the shiniest, brightest, and newest one out there when you compare. However, pre-loved items are one way to both make a positive impact on the environment and your savings account.
We give you 5 reasons why you should drop the shame when it comes to buying second-hand items.
- You will save money
Arguably one of the first motivations of buying pre-loved is the drive to save money. A brand-new pair of jeans generally retail for $150-$200, but the price drops dramatically when their previous owner is trying to offload them to the next wearer. They’re unlikely to be damaged or stained, however the value will never be as high as it was in store pre-purchase meaning you’re immediately entitled to a financial win.
- It’s a ‘treasure hunt’
If you’ve ever spent time digging through the likes of Vinnies or The Salvation Army stores you’ll appreciate how exciting it is when you come across a rare find. It may be a Levi’s denim jacket costing a mere $10, a Ralph Lauren shirt in perfect condition for $15 or even a good quality vase for $2. Part of the fun is hunting through the mundane, low-cost items for the rare, cheap find. This treasure hunt is a great way to source some unique gifts for family and friends, minus the price tag. It also ensures you won’t be doubling up on gifts, avoiding the awkward unwrapping of a duplicate item that happens so often on Christmas Day.
- You can also achieve it online
Working full-time right up until Christmas? That’s fine – you don’t have to brave the stores in-person or buy full price online. You may be surprised to find that you can still achieve an excellent second-hand gift online that doesn’t come directly from the retailer. There are many websites and apps that allow you to shop pre-loved including Gumtree, Depop, Facebook marketplace, ASOS marketplace, eBay and Poshmark.
- It’s sustainable
Purchasing pre-loved items as gifts is essentially recycling a gift, which is a no brainer when it comes to sustainability. Naturally, when you purchase a second-hand item, you’re extending the life of it as you’re elongating its time between life and landfill. You’re also limiting the amount of waste produced by hosting one more item in your possession rather than sending it to the tip in your garbage bag.
Although consumerism is kind of unavoidable at Christmas time, because who doesn’t love giving and receiving gifts, you can still participate in a much less damaging way to your bank account, credit card and the planet.
