HelmetsHelmets are designed to protect you from one accident, and one accident only. Sometimes damage isn’t visible, so buy a new helmet to make sure you’re getting full protection. Child car seatsLike helmets, car seats are really only meant to protect in one accident. But damaged car seats are common; a survey found that one in ten have been in an accident. Plus, car seat technology improves each year. TiresIf they’ve been in an accident, tires are likely to be unstable and unreliable. Make sure you can get an accurate history. Wet suits and swimsuitsPersonal products that hug your body are technically safe if you wash them in hot water... and still we're cautious. But constant changes in water pressure also wear out swimwear faster than regular clothing, so it's likely a used wetsuit or swimsuit will tear. MattressesBed bugs could lurk in any used mattress. You might also end up sleeping with other people’s mold, mites, bacteria, and bodily fluids (yuck!).
CribsScores of crib recalls, as well as changing safety standards, make it hard to verify the safety of a used crib. Laptops or other devicesLaptops, e-readers, tablets, or mp3 players are more likely to be dropped, knocked around, and spilled on, simply because they’re out in the world. A desktop computer sits (mostly) safe at home, but even that would likely cost more to upgrade than buy new. TVsIt’s hard to determine how well TVs, DVD players, and other electronic devices have been cared for by their previous owners. Plus, technology changes so quickly that you can often get a better quality device. If you're buying refurbished devices directly from a manufacturer, you'll be covered by a warranty—but a random TV at a garage sale could be hit or miss. ShoesUsed shoes have been molded to their previous owner’s feet—and poorly fitting shoes will make you miserable, or you'll just never want to wear them. Sheets and PillowcasesSure, you can wash them in hot water, but that might not protect against bed bugs.
Baby bottlesWhile sanitation and cracks can be an issue, the real culprit is the chemical BPA that's present in most older bottles—and as of June 2012, the FDA no longer accepts that as safe. Go with new bottles to make sure you're getting the safest, most up-to-date bottles. Worn plates, pots, and other cookwareRust, flaky non-stick coatings, and chemicals that leach out are just a few of the safety problems you can run into with older cookware. DVDs, CDs, and VHS tapesIf you're still using this technology and looking to scoop up a bargain, know that scratches have ruined many a DVD or CD—and VHS tapes lessen in quality the more times they're played, not to mention disintegrate over the years. Upholstered furnitureJust like mattresses and sheets, any upholstered furniture can be home to bed bugs, fleas, and spiders, as well as unknown odors and stains. Unless you're going to reupholster the piece, steer clear. Clothes that require a tailored fitIt might look like it fits—until you put it on.
Unless you can try something on, it's often not worth the money you'll spend on alterations. Video GamesYou might want to quickly google the video game—manufacturers are now including codes for one-user only play, either for the whole game or special bonus sections. Fragrance or makeup (new or old!)The quality of both can lessen over the years (and yes, they do expire!). Even if makeup is brand new in the box, skip it unless you can tell that it was recently manufactured. Stuffed animalsStuffed animals can be hard to send through the extra-hot cycle on a washing machine, and like mattresses and upholstered furniture, they can be full of creepy crawlies and other unsavory finds. Blenders and other kitchen electronicsYour go-to smoothie maker's blades and mechanisms can become dull and wear down over time, even if the machine looks fine on the surface. Running shoesUsed running shoes are often devoid of the cushioning that runners need; stick with new shoes for the cushioning and fit that will protect knees, feet, and legs.
HatsHow's this for gross: Hats may contain remnants of hair products, sweat, or skin infections.Posted by on 1/05/10 • Categorized as “I could’ve bought a mattress here,” I said jokingly to my auction buddy Janet as I eyed two mattresses – a king and a twin – propped against a wall in the furniture section of the auction house. She picked up on the joke, reminding me of the bedbugs that I’d probably find in any mattress I bought there. That’s not all I was likely to find: dust mites, mold, bacteria and other people’s body fluids. Mattresses were on my mind because I had bought a new mattress set a few days before – for a lot more than I would’ve paid at the auction house. My old mattress was starting to sag in the center, so I knew it was time to buy new. Before I went shopping, I visited the web to see what I should look for in a new mattress. I was schooled in the types of materials used, how much I should pay, how I should choose the right mattress and more.
The sites warned that it was hard to compare mattress prices because manufacturers renamed models by store. I had already decided where I wanted to buy; I just needed to find the right fit. I knew where I was not going: to one of those storefront mattress companies that scream their savings. I went to one about six or so years ago, and the salesman basically lied to me about the cost. I didn’t realize he had lied until I got home with the estimate. So this time I was going to a reputable department store. I spent about 45 minutes to an hour in the mattress department, moving from one mattress to another. There were so many choices, and I kept checking the same ones several times. The saleswoman basically left me alone to wander and try them out. Consumer Reports, according to several sites, said one should expect to pay at least $800 for a good queen mattress. It never occurred to me to consider buying a used mattress at auction. The thought of sleeping on a stranger’s old bed makes my skin crawl.
But now that I think of it, isn’t that what we do at hotels? We never know who slept on the mattress before we checked in. But I’m not going there. I’m not sure how much those two mattresses sold for at the auction house, but I’m pretty certain that they were purchased. Very little goes unsold. After I got home from the auction, I decided to do some more Google research, this time on buying a used mattress. Here’s what I found: The MSN Money website listed 10 things you should never buy used. A mattress is #8. “Think of all the stuff you do on your mattress. Now think of sleeping in someone else’s stuff. Ewwwww,” wrote personal finance writer Liz Pulliam Weston. Happy Living magazine urged buyers to learn the difference between used and rebuilt mattresses, and to be careful when buying used: “If you do decide to buy a used mattress, your best protection is to cover it in plastic to prevent any dirt or parasites from coming in contact with your body,” the article said.