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Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Teach Me Tuesday: Buying Used

Yay it's time for teach me Tuesday! I'm a tack ho. We all know that. I buy all sorts of things used on line in order to (more or less) stay on a budget, but I've recently discovered that there are people out there who struggle with that idea. They prefer to pay the premium on new items to avoid the stigma (or something...) that comes with used things.

Sooooo...

Tell me. What won't you buy used?

it's underpants ok?
I'll go first! All underwear/undergarments must be new with tags. Supplements (if I use them, which, HA, I really don't) must be brand new and sealed and at a store. And grain. I wouldn't pay for someone else's grain. Totally ok with everything else being used as long as it's still in good condition.

34 comments:

  1. YES on the underwear & comestible items. I also won't do used swimsuits. Anything that's been in contact with someone else's lady bits is a no. I also won't do used shoes... something about a shoe or boot that's been molded to someone else's foot and sweated in just weirds me out! You can't throw shoes in the washing machine. Other than that, I have no qualms about buying used or accepting hand-me-downs.

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  2. Helmets! I don't buy or take used. My head is worth investing in new. You just never know... Tack is totally a go for me, though. Anything leather can be rehabbed and either sold again, or kept. Oh, and horse blankets are often great steals when purchased used.

    That reminds me to check Tack Trader today for a new cooler...

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    1. Ah also helmets!! ALWAYS NEW with the helmets! Forgot about that one.

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    2. EXCELLENT POINT.

      I would also not buy a used helmet. Not even new with tags in box from a reseller. Nope.

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    3. yep helmets might be the only equipment i wouldn't buy used for horses. just about anything else is fair game haha (and yes i've bought SMZs out of a friend's tack trunk before lol)

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  3. I think underwear is the only thing that I will not buy used... And agreed, helmets. Definitely helmets.

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  4. Yikes - kind of judgmental there! Just because I buy new doesn't mean I am avoiding any kind of a "stigma." I buy new because it's hard to find things that fit my Arabian. Finding USED things that will fit him is nearly impossible. I also buy new because I like new stuff and can afford it. And truthfully I don't tend to buy something unless I truly need it (not a fan of consuming because I can). And if I truly need it, I can never find the right size or color used WHEN I need it. With that said, I will buy used if it works out ... I've bought tall boots, pads, bridles, saddles, and more used.

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    1. "(not a fan of consuming because I can)"

      Yes :)

      My dad taught me that you always have to factor in the value of your time. If it takes hours to find it, try it, resell it because it isn't quite right... there go the savings.

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    2. That's exactly my experience. A Mexican gentleman whom I adored that used to care for my horses used to say "Compra barrato, compra cada rato" Direct translation is 'buy cheap, buy often.' His point was buy the right thing the first time. New or used, I just try to make sure it's what's really going to work for me. I love your dad's way of thinking! :0)

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  5. Yeah, helmets, shoes, underwear. And for non-horsey couches. I'm sure there are some very clean used couches out there, but meh. I have dogs, so my couch is covered in dog hair, but I don't want a couch covered with someone else's dog hair...lol Maybe I'm weird.

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  6. I rarely buy used, but then again I rarely buy anything. I guess I'm with Bakersfield Dressage on this one. If I truly need something I like being able to buy it in the size/color/configuration I want it in, and I would probably never buy something if I couldn't afford it at full price anyways. That's just me. Add in the hassle of having to resell it if it doesn't fit/you can't return it, etc., and I'd really just rather spend a little extra to buy new.

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    1. ^This. I mostly buy new just to avoid the hassle of no returns!

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  7. I am the queen of finding deals on tack new and used...mostly because I've never had the unlimited budget to just buy anything I wanted whenever I wanted. All the purchases had to be planned out and saved for. Only horse related thing I would never buy used is a helmet...who knows if its ever come in contact with the ground!

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  8. I will not buy undergarments used, and I will NEVER buy a used helmet. Period.

    Oh, and I won't buy used shoes either, bc that's just weird to me.

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  9. I think helmets are the only specific horse-related item that I wouldn't buy used.

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  10. I would be happy buying tack used, but with so many horror stories from Tack Trader and Ebay, I'm pretty gun-shy. Plus I can't return it if it doesn't fit... and I am SUPER BAD at buying things that fit the first time.

    Of course I'll buy a blogger friend's slightly used stirrups. That's totally different. ;)

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  11. Not much I won't buy used outside of what you already mentioned.

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  12. I have no aversion to used goods, whether tack or clothing or otherwise. When I did the hunters, I had a show coat addiction, and I used to find coats and show shirts that were in almost new condition, I assume because I'm pint-sized and kids grew out them after one season. When I was in high school I thought I was a hippie (my cringe-worthy phase) and I shopped exclusively at Ray's Army-Navy. I think I'm with you on underwear (gross) but I did actually buy a used helmet from a friend because she only wore it a few times and didn't like how it fit. I have no shame.

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  13. The very thought of buying used underpants makes me want to hide under my desk!!!

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  14. I'm on the no used undergarments or helmets bandwagon - everything else is fair game. I just bought a "used" saddle (used 3x) for less than HALF the original purchase price. I did, however, just buy a new - on clearance - dressage bridle... I am on the lookout for new(clearance probably for price) or used dressage pad for my short backed ladies... just saying... if anyone out there has a nice (short) dressage pad for cheap....

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  15. For expensive items like tack and blankets, used is the best way to get a good deal. But I find that for cheaper things like saddle pads, waiting for it to go on sale new is a better deal than used *if* you're also paying shipping. If you buy off a friend at the barn then its a great deal.

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  16. See those underwear right there Aimee? Those are not appropriate without pants. Just a heads up. I like used items. Especially when they have been broken in all nice. New things are scary.

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  17. My only concern with buying used is the ability to confirm condition/quality and fit. Mostly I like to be able to return things if I don't love them. I'm TERRIBLE at listing things for sale so if saving $$ means I might be stuck with something I'll have to turn around and sell again- I usually pass. But buying from friends/acquaintances who will gladly let me check something out before I buy is a good thing for me.
    ad ew. used underwear. do we have to specify that??

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  18. I would buy any kind of tack used(as long as it is in good condition of course), and even clothing. Pretty much anything(except undergarments). However, I would never, ever buy helmets, safety vests, or other safety equipment used. You just never know if someone has fallen in it, and my safety is worth the extra price for buying new.

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  19. Haha, your underwear drawing is epic! Definitely no used underpants! There isn't a lot I won't buy used, other than helmets and the things you mentioned above.

    I got a killer deal on a Rhino blanket a few months ago on one of the FB groups. Now, if I could just find a gently used PS of Sweden bridle....

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  20. Helmets, boots & bathing suits.... lol but yes, add underwear to the list too. Glad to see we're all in agreement there.

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    1. Oh and the picture looks like it was taken at Leslie's... Yeah, I've been there a few (too many) times.

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  21. I loved used. Just not helmets, vests, safety type things. I just got a used saddle this weekend that was $295 and new would be $2k+

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  22. Underwear and helmets. Although I do have a friend who loves to give me all her old sports bras so I can wear them to the barn... but a garment that someone else's boobs have been on is different from ones that have had someone's... well, you know.
    Buying my new harness (that just came in YAY) was literally the first new piece of working-type tack (meaning not halters or barn stuff) I've bought in... boy I don't know. YEARS. I buy tons of stuff used and have always had really good luck with it. BUT this time buying used ultimately failed me - my harness was even older than I am and old bits of dead animal do not last forever. I did get 9 good months out of it though, not bad for a 30+ year odl harness!

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  23. I only buy used horsey stuff except helmets. And as someone who recently acquired a $500+ bridle for $175, and it's in excellent condition, I have to testify to the beauty of used.

    I tend to buy repeatedly from a few sellers of the kinds of things I'm looking for if they're higher-end. If they're cheaper, I'm more willing to take the risk. I've only had one kind-of negative experience and I still wound up with the item eventually.

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  24. I don't think I'd ever buy a used helmet. There's just no way to know for sure that it's still in safe, working condition!

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  25. I did buy a used helmet, but I came from a non-helmet background so I frankly didn't care as much as I prob should have. I bought used field boots but chick had only worn like twice on carpet so they looked right out of box ($500 Bevals for $125 uh yah). My kid also gets used shoes from consignment stores. I'm not paying $40 for tiny shoes he will wear for a few months and outgrow or destroy. But I grew up surviving on hand-and-me-downs and thrift stores, so I'm less picky than a lot of folks.

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  26. I always want to buy a used helmet but know I shouldn't

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