I do know you could find plenty of recommendation on the market about what objects to keep away from when purchasing in a thrift retailer – one article I learn listed sixteen various things! (I puzzled what may very well be left at that time?)
However I have been a thrift retailer shopper for over 30 years – my success in purchasing at these venues has been the one largest consider with the ability to create the comfy cottage model I take pleasure in in my residence! Now possibly I have been fortunate however I’ve by no means encountered any of the hazards listed in these articles. For instance –
- I’ve by no means introduced residence mattress bugs, mildew, or different pests.
- I’ve by no means gotten lead poisoning from consuming off classic dinnerware, hanging round architectural salvage, or utilizing outdated {hardware}.
- I’ve by no means discovered my physique immediately out of alignment from sporting used footwear.
My secret weapon? Widespread sense. I do not simply seize – I examine objects very carefully. If the footwear are clearly mis-shapen from another person’s ft, I will not purchase them. If the non-stick coating is flaking off the skillet, I will not purchase it. If a chunk of furnishings has a cool odor or harm that seems to have been brought on by pests, I do not purchase it.
So as a result of I’ve by no means had issues shopping for used objects, my record of “what you must by no means purchase from a thrift retailer” is fairly quick. Right here it’s:
Underwear/swimwear – Due to the physique elements that contact it, I at all times purchase these things new. Together with bras.
Mattresses – Even when there are not any mattress bugs, there’s nonetheless “different peoples’ gunk” (OPG) like physique filth, useless pores and skin, hair oil, and many others. I choose to begin contemporary with mattresses and add my very own gunk.
Mattress pillows – See OPG above. I am particularly speaking in regards to the pillow you lay your head on right here. If I discovered an excellent bolster or different ornamental mattress pillow in a thrift retailer, I would not have the identical hesitation. I buy throw pillows for my couch from thrift shops on a regular basis.
“Expired”, broken, or outdated security tools – Bicycle and motorbike helmets and youngsters’s automobile seats comprise energy-absorbing foam that’s thought-about “spent” if it turns into too aged or absorbs an impression. So with no approach to know if the protecting foam is any good in these things, I’d at all times purchase new. And I did not know this till not too long ago, however apparently automobile seats even have expiration dates as a consequence of potential deterioration of internal supplies.
Classic child cribs – Drop-sided cribs and people with slats spaced greater than 2-3/8 inches aside current suffocation, entrapment, and different harm hazards for Child.
These are the objects I do not purchase in thrift shops. As for these objects I do purchase, the observe of carefully inspecting them prior to buy has helped me keep away from just about all of the potential hazards of shopping for from thrift shops. It additionally has the additional benefit of making certain I do not spend even a small sum of money on one thing that’s dirty, damaged, or broken – it isn’t a cut price if it is unusable!
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