Thrift Store Mistakes: Stay Away From These Secondhand Items

Everyone loves a bargain. Some thrift store finds, like that vintage tee or that cute dress from the 70s or that antique bracelet that you know you’ll wear forever even though it cost you only a few dollars, come with a special kind of rush: the rush of money well spent. However, not all thrift store finds are really bargains. Some items are not only a waste of money but can actually cost you more than you could have foreseen. When you go thrift store bargain hunting, stay away from these items.

Getty Images

1 / 20

Anything that looks damaged or stained

Unless you’re specifically looking for materials for upcycling projects, don’t buy anything that shows signs of damage or stains. Even if you’re not planning on using the item as is, be sure that you can fix the damage or cut out the stain during the upcycling process, otherwise you’re just going to add another piece of junk to your "one day I’m going to do something with this" pile.

RELATED: 20 things you definitely should NOT buy in 2020.

Getty Images

2 / 20

Underwear

Even if, by some miracle, used underwear is really clean, it may be stretched out or the elastic, underwires, hooks and eyelets or parts like bra straps may be worn out, even if it isn’t noticeable upon first inspection. Besides, eww! If you’re worried about buying cheap new underwear that was made in a sweatshop, spend a little more and invest in luxury lingerie brands with a social purpose.

Getty Images

3 / 20

Swimwear

Yes, you could probably get away with buying that 60s Bond girl bikini and making sure it’s really, really clean before you wear it. But like secondhand underwear, used swimwear may have worn-out parts. And like used underwear, eww!

SEE ALSO: These are the swimsuit styles celebrities love.

Getty Images

4 / 20

Shoes

The only time you can really justify buying shoes from a thrift store is if you don’t mind going through some extra pain breaking in those vintage kitten heels. This is because shoes over time conform to the wearer’s feet. You’ll also want to properly sterilize those shoes just in case, because you never know if the previous owner had a foot fungus or other skin issue.

Getty Images

5 / 20

Rubber boots

Rubber boots tend to wear out after a few seasons, so there may not be much life left in that pair at the thrift store. Besides, there are so many cute designs available new — and for fairly cheap — that it doesn’t make much sense buying a boring old pair of black boots.

Getty Images

6 / 20

Raincoats

If you want to look like a private eye from a 70s TV show, a vintage raincoat is a must. It’s a different story though if you want to stay dry. Raincoats can get damaged after being washed or even after a particularly heavy storm, especially if you live in one of the Canadian cities with the worst winters.

Getty Images

7 / 20

Hats

A big, floppy 70s-style wide-brim number can be one of the best summer hats you’ve ever had. However, hats are difficult to clean properly, so they may have sweat stains and other stains that are just icky. In addition, when everybody in the store tries on every hat, there’s an increased risk of spreading head lice. It’s best to buy your hat new or crochet one yourself.

Getty Images

8 / 20

Linens

Secondhand linens like sheets and towels may be infested with bed bugs. You can prevent your home becoming infested by washing the linens in very hot water before you even bring them into your home, but this just seems like more trouble than it’s worth. You can find better bargains at end-of-season sales.

Getty Images

9 / 20

Mattresses

You really shouldn’t bring a used mattress into your home under any circumstances. It’s really hard to decontaminate it if it’s infested with bedbugs and bedbugs aren’t even the only reason why you can’t get enough sleep on your bargain buy: it can be crawling with all kinds of other critters, be contaminated with dead skin cells and bodily fluids and is most likely sagging already.

Getty Images

10 / 20

Upholstered furniture

Previously owned upholstered furniture, like mattresses, may harbour all kinds of creepy crawlies and yucky things. It may also contain harmful flame retardant chemicals that have since been banned by the Canadian government. Only consider buying upholstered furniture at a thrift store if you’re immediately going to have it reupholstered.

Getty Images

11 / 20

Cribs

If you’re going to upcycle that crib into something that won’t be for baby’s use, go for it, by all means. However, if you’re looking for a place for baby to sleep, make peace with how much kids cost and shell out for a new crib that meets the latest safety standards.

Getty Images

12 / 20

Toys

That cute vintage teddy may be infested with bedbugs while those dolls and toy cars may be covered in paint containing lead. If you’re a collector and are planning on putting those thrift-store finds in display cases or keeping them in the original box, it’s okay to buy secondhand. However, it’s best to get the kids something new, clean and safe to play with.

Getty Images

13 / 20

Car seats and baby carriers

If you’re spending money on the best car you can afford, why wouldn’t you do the same for the equipment designed to keep your baby safe? Safety standards change all the time, so that secondhand car seat or baby carrier may not be up to the latest standards. In addition, you don’t know the history of the piece: a car seat is supposed to withstand one crash only but it’s unlikely you’ll be able to find out if the thrift-store buy has been in an accident before.

Getty Images

14 / 20

Bike and motorcycle helmets

Like car seats, bike and motorcycle helmets are designed to protect you for one impact only. You definitely don’t want to wait until you’re involved in an accident to find out that your helmet has served its purpose in a previous crash already.

Getty Images

15 / 20

Electronics

Even if the store allows you to switch on that laptop to test it, you probably won’t immediately pick up on issues with it. The only time it might be good to buy electronics at a thrift store is if you have specialized tech skills and fix electronics as a side hustle.

Getty Images

16 / 20

Appliances

Like electronics, appliances may have all kinds of issues that aren’t noticeable at first glance: frayed wires, for instance. In addition, the warranty has most probably expired so if something goes wrong, you won’t have any recourse to get at least some of your money back.

RELATED: How the zodiac signs spend their money.

Getty Images

17 / 20

Cookware

Be very wary of cookware that you find in a thrift store. The film on non-stick cookware breaks down over time and can contaminate your food, while paint on any kind of vintage cookware may contain lead. There’s no food that will keep you thriving indoors if you’ve prepared it in cookware that’s bad for your health.

Getty Images

18 / 20

Vintage painted dishware and glassware

Vintage dishware and glassware may seem like a great idea for your first home. However, dishware may be painted with lead paint while those crystal glasses may contain lead in the glass itself. If you do go for these items, use them for display purposes only unless you’ve had them tested for lead.

Getty Images

19 / 20

Cosmetics and perfume

Once they’ve been opened, cosmetics and perfume become contaminated with bacteria that can cause skin and eye infections. Even if they haven’t been opened, they may have expired and the fragrance may have altered.

Getty Images

20 / 20

Food and medicine

Would food and medicine you got at a thrift store really be that much cheaper? Probably not. However, it would most likely be less safe. It could be past its expiry date or it could have been recalled because there was something wrong with it.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Vitamin supplements: 20 cheap foods to eat instead.