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Anticonsumption - Ways to do #3: "Second-hand first" (lemmy.ml)
submitted 2 days ago by Vroomfondel@lemmy.ml to c/Anticonsumption@europe.pub
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Tip #3 "Second-hand first"

This tip is very simple, but maybe feels hard in the beginning, depending on the facilites in your country: If you think of items that you need and want to buy, ALWAYS first look second hand! There are several platforms online, both national and international, where people exchange stuff for a low bid or even free. And in many countries, you will even find smaller and and bigger thrift stores, where you can find these items. Of course, you still need to check the consdition and quality. But that is what you would do on a "regular" shopping trip anyways, right?

Example: Personally, I find it fun to set a date once in a while for searching 3-5 thrift stores in my area for anything I am still missing. (See list from tipp #1.) I keep it short, search focused for item X and then at the end of the day buy it or leave it. In my opinion, that is about the same effort, or less, when doing a "regular" shopping trip.

TL;DR: Search for your wanted items in second-hand stores or online marketplaces. Often you find what you need, in still good condition and cheaper. Also you give these items a longer life. And the effort is similar/lower to "new shopping" if you do it focused.

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[-] i_dont_want_to 1 points 1 day ago

I love getting stuff second hand. I'm able to get some premium goods that would otherwise rot, and I use the hell out of them.

It doesn't always work if I have very specific needs, but it is always my first thought.

[-] Cherry@piefed.social 2 points 2 days ago

A big frustration i find on this area is Facebook marketplace has dominated secondhand listings. I hate FB. Even more so as it’s gone down the eBay route of marketplace tat over used products.

Leading to second point. Marketplaces like eBay searches are so hard to find used or local items. I have to filter and faff.

Any suggestions or alternative markets uk based?

[-] Libb@piefed.social 1 points 2 days ago

Any suggestions or alternative markets uk based?

Here in France (Paris) I find a lot of used stuff looking at flee markets, yard sales (vide grenier, we call them). I never use Facebook Marketplace. Online, I use the French website leboncoin.com that supposedly focuses on letting individuals sell used stuff to other individuals (unlike Ebay, there is no biding). There should be a UK equivalent. Or Ebay, but it's not what it was once and barely use it nowadays... says I, less than 24 hours after I purchased 2 items from 2 different sellers ;)

[-] Cherry@piefed.social 1 points 2 days ago

I do like car boot sales and second hand shops. There are just somethings that are better suited to classified, an extendable dining table for example, or time sensitive items.

There is gumtree which is very trashy. I miss when eBay felt local and primarily for selling/buying used.

[-] Libb@piefed.social 2 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

TL;DR: Search for your wanted items in second-hand stores or online marketplaces.

+1 to this :)

My personal method looks like this:

Whatever I need (that I don't want to be new and provided it has already been put long enough in my 'I need' shopping list to make sure I really need it) I will

  1. see if I can DIY. When not, I will
  2. see if I can borrow it from someone I know. If not (or if not applicable), I will
  3. see if I can purchase it used. First in local thrift/used stores then online. If not, or if I really can't wait to find it used (because this can take time: it's not rare I wait a few months to be able to purchase a used copy of this or that book I wish to read) I will
  4. buy it new.

One can even start by checking with their neighbors, or friends, or family. Which can, also be a neat way to see if one can make arrangements with them to... buy less stuff together.

I mean, as an example, I read quite a few print magazines and newspapers and it happens so does one of our neighbors. It also happen the dude and I share a few common interests and were reading the exact same stuff. We agreed on purchasing different ones and to share them. This almost halved our respective subscription costs, at once. reduced the amount of wasted paper, and deliveries too. Plus, it also helped us if not to become close friends at least to appreciate talking to one another ;)

[-] heyWhatsay@slrpnk.net 1 points 2 days ago

Keep an eye out for Goodwill Outlets, instead of a price tag on every item on shelves, it's all piled up in large bins, each the size of several wheel barrows. Dig through to find what you can use, and pay by the pound. I have gotten many things I use daily. Sometimes they have flat rates for some items, or lower price per pound on electronics or other categories.

[-] sk1nnym1ke@piefed.social 1 points 2 days ago

It is often cheaper and the pre owner give you sometimes tips and accesories.

this post was submitted on 26 Aug 2025
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