Some things are worth buying new — but a surprising number aren’t, and paying full price for them is quietly throwing money away. Plenty of items lose a big chunk of their value the moment they leave the shop, or work just as well second-hand, or barely get used before they’re resold. Learn which ones, and you can buy the exact same thing for a fraction of the price. Here are 20 things you should never buy new — and why buying them used is the smarter, cheaper move.
Key takeaways
- Many things lose most of their value instantly or barely get used — buying them new wastes money.
- Furniture, cars, tools, and kids’ gear are prime candidates for buying used and saving big.
- A few things are worth buying new — know the exceptions so you buy used safely.
Big-ticket items that crater in value
The biggest savings come from expensive things that lose value fast:
- Cars — a new car loses a large slice of its value the moment you drive it off the lot; a gently used one is far better value.
- Furniture — solid wood pieces last decades and are sold cheaply second-hand all the time.
- Jewellery — loses “new” markup instantly; pre-owned pieces are dramatically cheaper.
- Exercise equipment — often bought with enthusiasm, used twice, then resold barely touched.
- Recreational gear — kayaks, bikes, camping kit and the like flood the used market in great condition.
Things kids and hobbies burn through
Anything used briefly before it’s outgrown or abandoned is a used-market goldmine:
- Kids’ clothes and toys — outgrown in months, so second-hand ones are practically new.
- Baby gear — cots, high chairs, and playpens are used for a short window and resold constantly (buy car seats new for safety).
- Books, games, and DVDs — identical second-hand for a fraction of the price.
- Tools — quality hand tools last a lifetime and are cheap used.
- Party and seasonal decorations — used once, then given away or sold cheaply.
The exceptions: what to buy new
Buying used is smart, but a few things are worth buying new for safety or hygiene: car seats and cycle helmets (you can’t verify their crash history), mattresses and pillows, underwear and swimwear, and anything where a warranty genuinely matters to you. For everything else, checking the used market first should be the default. And before any purchase, new or used, run it past the same filter you’d use to stop impulse spending — the cheapest second-hand bargain is still a waste if you didn’t need it.
How to buy used without getting burned
Buying second-hand safely is simple once you know the drill: inspect items in person or ask for detailed photos, test electronics before paying, meet in a safe public place for local deals, and use payment methods that offer some buyer protection. Check the seller’s ratings, and don’t be shy about negotiating — used prices usually have room in them. A little care turns the used market into a reliable way to get the same things for far less, which is one of the most effective habits for saving money on a tight budget.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the single item where buying used saves the most?
A car. New cars lose a large portion of their value in the first couple of years, so a well-maintained used car just a few years old gives you almost the same thing for far less. Get it inspected before buying, check its history, and you capture that depreciation as savings instead of paying for it yourself.
Is it safe to buy used baby items?
Mostly yes, with two big exceptions: buy car seats and cycle helmets new, because you can’t verify whether they’ve been in a crash, which ruins their protection. Cots, high chairs, clothes, and toys are generally fine used — just check for recalls and that they’re clean and undamaged. Those items are outgrown so fast that second-hand ones are often barely used.
Next time you’re about to buy something on this list, check the used market first — you’ll often find the same item, in great condition, for a fraction of the price. Save the “buy new” rule for the safety and hygiene exceptions, and let second-hand be your default everywhere else.
