Ten things best bought new.

Some used items are wonderful finds, sold at a great price.  This is a follow-up to last weeks post about items you should always buy used online.  However, there are items are worth shelling out a few extra dollars to buy new.  Here are a few items that we think you should stay away from buying second hand.

1. Bedding.  You shouldn’t even consider buying used bedding of any kind.  Used mattresses, sheets and pillows are all things that should be off limits.  Think how hard it is to clean a mattress.  Do you really want to sleep in a stranger’s germs?  A mattress should be changed every 5 years anyway.  Here is a link that will further explain why you, and only you, should be the owner of your bedding.
2. Plasma TVs.  This is one item buyers should be very careful about purchasing.  Used plasma TV’s will no longer be under warranty, so you’ll have do a lot of research and personally check out the TV before you buy it to make sure it is in good condition.  When plasma screens are damaged they either leave permanent ghost marks on the screen or no longer turn on at all.  The repairs might cost you more than you bargained for. 
3. Swimsuits.  You wouldn’t want to wear someone else’s underwear.  Its the same concept with a swimsuit.  Something that close to your body is a one time ownership deal.  Enough said.
4. Car seats.  Children grow out of most of their things very quickly and it can be easy to buy used items to save a little money, however you should never buy a used car seat.  Sometimes cars can be wrecked and put back together but they will never be the same.  The same goes for a car seat.  You don’t know what the seat went through with it’s previous owner or how long it has left in it’s life span. Your child’s safety is worth spending a few extra dollars on a new one.  You can always save a little extra by buying them a used toy.
5. Laptops.  These computers are made to take with you where ever you go and from this they get a lot of wear and tear.  The more times you take your laptop with you the more opportunity you have to bump it or even drop it.  And laptops are expensive.  If you are considering buying a used laptop, make sure it has an extended warranty.  That way if it has been dropped one too many times at least you won’t be out of pocket.
6. Lawn Mowers.  Mowing the lawn is a laborious task.  It can be hot and exhausting.  Nothing is more frustrating than using your whole body to continuously pull the chord to a lawn mower that won’t start in the dead heat of summer.  Save yourself a few curse words. Lawn Mowers don’t last a lifetime, but buying them new might ensure that they will at least have a longer life span.
7. Camcorders.  If it is a moment that you want to keep in time forever than don’t take the chance of missing it.  Camcorders are hand held items where the user is focusing on something else other than their surroundings so, let’s face it, they get dropped and bumped.  And it always seems that there is no minor repair when it comes to something that has a lens.  Make sure you buy a camcorder that is new and drop free so that you don’t miss the moments you want to cherish later.  And extended warranty here isn’t a bad idea here either.
8. Styling products.  Never buy used make-up or hair products.  When you apply make-up to your face the make-up collects germs, dirt and oil.  Don’t apply someone else’s germs to your face.  The same applies for hair care products.  Many diseases can be spread by sharing any kind of styling brush.  You might save some money on the products, but you might have to spend extra money on lice shampoo.
9. Software.  Be careful when you buy used software.  CD’s can often be scratched or unreadable.  Make sure you buy software that is compatible with your system.  And be careful that the software you are buying doesn’t have a license for one time use. 
10. The obvious.  If it looks questionable, then it probably is.

As we would recommend when purchasing anything off the Web, use your best judgment.  Make sure you do your research and whenever possible purchase used items that come with warranties.

What are some items that you think should never be purchased used? 

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