It's officially the holiday season!
Between this festive time and the last couple of months, I've been focusing on the importance of shopping secondhand. There were a few uncommon purchases I had to make in September and October, and after weighing all of my options, I was reminded how important it is to seek out shopping secondhand first before purchasing anything new. Between all of the Goodwills and other secondhand shops around town, yard sales, antique stores, and now online resources such as Craigslist, Poshmark, Thredup, eBay and OfferUp, I see very little reason to purchase anything new unless it's something like underwear or a toothbrush. This point becomes even more obvious when you visit these places and realize how much stuff there is in the world.
First off, at these places you will often find never-used items still with their tags on - it always astounds me. There are people with overspending habits but there's also a new phenomenon I've noticed lately with people who seem to forget to return their online purchases within the return window. They have a new item they don't want but can't return (I see this often on Poshmark with one of my favorite sustainable brands, Reformation). That's followed up by the items that were used once or twice and are practically new but don't have a tag. There is no reason why this item should be sent to a landfill. Thirdly, if you're thrift shopping or antique shopping, the quality of furniture and household items is much higher than the Ikea and Bestbuy stuff you can buy today. Earlier generations manufactured things to last before corporations caught on that you can force people to buy more products when you make them subpar and built to break down easily. Another added benefit is you can find unique items that are more personal.
There is also the thrill of the hunt, sometimes you will have to go to a few places before finding the item you are looking for (if this isn't your shopping style then secondhand online resources are definitely the way to go as they are quick, direct and easy). Sometimes, especially at places like yard sales, Craigslist and Offerup, you can negotiate on the price (more on that later), which adds another thrill. Another reason is that you save a ton of money. The initial investment and cost was made by someone else and now you get to reap the benefits with a huge discount on that item. It's like buying a car new versus used - that minute you drive that car off the lot, it's already lost 20% of its value. Furniture, clothing and shoes are basically the same. Once you purchase and use them once, they have lost a significant amount of value to anyone else. And lastly, and most importantly, we are destroying our planet with junk. It's time to have a hard look at the truth of what our stuff is actually costing us and realize that we can't keep consuming as we are. This article and this article articulate this point much more eloquently.
And now, a quick guide on secondhand shopping:
Secondhand shops such as Goodwills are great places to get all sorts of items. As tempting as it may seem, be cautious when buying fast fashion such as Zara and Forever21, and or fast furniture such as Ikea, from secondhand places. They have very little life and might look decent now but will quickly deteriorate once in your possession.
Sites such as Offerup, Poshmark, and Craigslist and also yard sales are great places to haggle. I cut my teeth on the art of haggling on the streets of Shanghai the summer I turned 19 (thanks Dad, thanks Kelly!) Tragically, as Westerners, this is often an art we aren't taught at home or in school. In certain cultures, if you don't haggle then it's rude or you just look like a stupid sucker. The first rule is that if you really like an item, and the price seems fair, just pay it and call it a day- don't get greedy! The second rule is that if you're feeling gamesome and think the item you like is overpriced or you think you can get a better deal, propose a reduced price but realize that if things don't go as planned, you must be able to walk away from the deal. This can be difficult but it's an imperative part of the game. When proposing a reduced price, gauge the situation - is the item wildly overpriced or just mildly? This dictates how much you should ask off but realize that you will probably meet somewhere in the middle so ask for a bit less than what you're willing to pay to give ground for negotiation. Usually, a back and forth will ensue, and you will arrive on a price with which you both are comfortable. For a more in depth guide to the psychology of negotiating, I highly recommend Roger Dawson's book, Secrets of Negotiating.
Beware of designer knockoffs especially on eBay and other used clothing sites! Do your research first. Unless that's your thing, in which case, just make sure not to pay too much for them.
Lastly, FaceBook's "Buy Nothing" groups are a great way to get in touch with your neighbors and what they are giving away for free (you can also request items). The concept is that we live in a first world country and have so much, so before buying anything, check in with your neighbors to see what they are giving away for free. These groups only let you join if you live in that particular neighborhood so search on FaceBook and see if there is a group near you today. Or, host a swap at your home and invite your friends! I advocate for the benefits of swapping in this video.
So with the holidays upon us, please consider purchasing secondhand first. I know we all feel the urge to give our loved ones something to show that we care, but most likely they don't really need anything. This practice is also creating such destruction in our world. Making crafty zero waste gifts are always more personal and can be a little treat someone wouldn't normally give themselves. Giving the gift of experiences is also a great idea as time and time again studies show that experiencing something with loved ones makes us far happier than giving and receiving stuff. Happy Holidays!