21 things to think twice about buying at Garage Sales
Cheap? Yes. But seldom are they bargains! These twenty-one items commonly sold at Garage Sales are often damaged, unsanitary or unsafe — and that could really cost you.
21 Things you should never buy at a garage sale
Reader's Digest"Bargains are great but cross these gross, broken, and unsafe items off your list when you head out to garage sales.
© Thomas Northcut/Photodisc/ThinkstockHelmets
Helmets 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.
© Stockbyte/ThinkstockChild car seats
Like 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.
© iStockphoto/ThinkstockTires
If they’ve been in an accident, tires are likely to be unstable and unreliable. Make sure you can get an accurate history.
© Brand X Pictures/ThinkstockWet suits and swimsuits
Personal 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.
© iStockphoto/ThinkstockMattresses
With bed bugs infesting homes in record numbers, chances are the critters could lurk in any used mattress. You might also end up sleeping with other people’s mold, mites, bacteria, and bodily fluids (yuck!)
© Comstock/ThinkstockCribs
Scores of crib recalls, as well as changing safety standards, make it hard to verify the safety of a used crib.
© Creatas/ThinkstockLaptops or other devices
Laptops, 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.
© iStockphoto/ThinkstockTVs
It’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.
© iStockphoto/ThinkstockShoes
Used 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.
© iStockphoto/ThinkstockSheets and Pillowcases
Sure, you can wash them in hot water, but that might not protect against bed bugs.
© iStockphoto/ThinkstockBaby bottles
While 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.
© iStockphoto/ThinkstockWorn plates and cookware
Rust, flaky non-stick coatings, and chemicals that leach out are just a few of the safety problems you can run into with older cookware.
© iStockphoto/ThinkstockDVDs, CDs, and VHS tapes
If 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.
© iStockphoto/ThinkstockUpholstered furniture
Just 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 fit
It 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.
© iStockphoto/ThinkstockVideo Games
You 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.
© iStockphoto/ThinkstockFragrance or makeup (new or old!)
The quality of both can lessen over the years (and yes, they do expire!). Even if an item is brand new in the box, skip it unless you can tell that it was recently manufactured.
© iStockphoto/ThinkstockStuffed animals
Stuffed 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.
© Jupiterimages/Photos.com/ThinkstockBlenders and other kitchen electronics
Blades and mechanisms can become dull and wear down over time, even if the machine looks fine on the surface.
© iStockphoto/ThinkstockRunning shoes
Used 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.
© iStockphoto/ThinkstockHats
How's this for gross: Hats may contain remnants of hair products, sweat, or skin infections."
© 2014 The Reader's Digest Association, Inc.
If you have a question about the safety of any new or used product, WWW.RECALLS.GOV should have your answer. Drawing from six U.S. federal agencies, Recalls.gov is a "one stop shop" for U.S. Government recalls and consumer product safety information. The website covers everything from cars, boats, tires and strollers to cosmetics, food, medicine and more.
I hope this helps!
Have you ever found something gross or broken at a garage sale? Tell your story in a comment below! :-)
— Garage Sale Safely!
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Consumer Product Safety Commission's Top Ten list of
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Useful Garage Sale Resources:
- FREE Printable Garage Sale Signs
- 50 + FREE Online Price Guides
- Neighborhood & City-Wide Garage Sale Calendar
- Free large, high-quality xlip art images for your flyers and signs.
- Cute, Free, Printable "All Sales are Final" Signs
- Garage Sale Tips & Tricks
- Garage Sale Resources: Clothing racks, tables, aprons, counterfeit detection, directories
- Free printable coloring pages for kids of all ages
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