By Shari Weiss
Buyers beware: not every item at a garage
sale, no matter how cheap it is, is worth purchasing. Be wallet-savvy
and only buy things you know you will use--otherwise, they'll end up at
your own garage sale sometime down the line.
Smart purchasing goes
a lot further than looking for worthwhile items. Certain objects may
actually be hazardous or unsanitary. Read on for a list of items you
should never buy used at a garage sale.
Car seats and other baby gear: Normal wear-and-tear may be hidden on these items, or they may even be recalled products. If you're unable to know everything about the product, skip it.- Unconventional perishables:
Believe it or not, some people do try to
sell half-used baking supplies or once-opened mascara. These items have
expirations and best-if-used-by dates. Even if they haven't been
opened, those rules still apply. - Pet Supplies: Items such as dog/cat beds, hamster cages, etc. Even while
sitting unused in a basement, old stains and odors continue to ferment.
Cleanliness should never be a question. If it is, forget it. - Undergarments and Swim Wear: Because some stains just never come out. 'Nuff said.
For more garage sale safety tips, check out The Thrift Store Safety Checklist.
Keep in mind that these items shouldn't always be ignored. If they can
be verified as being brand-new or unused (i.e. in original packaging,
still disassembled, etc.), then they're fair game.
This post was authored by Shari Weiss, Social Media intern for ChicagoNow.
Filed under: Uncategorized
Underwear at a garage sale? Uh. Mah. Gahh. That just gave me the creeps. Big time.
As a mom of 3, I have no problem buying baby gear at garage sales. As long as the serial number or brand and date of production is still marked (usually on all cribs and car seats) you'll be able to look this up on the Consumer Protection Web site. If the price is low enough, I don't mind taking something home first and looking it up, knowing the risk that it could be recalled. Or you could always call home and ask your spouse to check for a recall.
My main car seats were bought new, but I have used ones that we use for the grandparents' cars. For me, I feel safe enough just asking the seller if the seat has ever been in an accident. I have a baby swing from a rummage sale, an Exersaucer, a bouncy seat and a stroller all bought second hand.