Why secondhand products?

[Pablo-wood]

People in different places usually choose secondhand products instead of new ones. Tailoring it down to vehicle, between secondhand vehicles and new vehicles which one is mostly purchased yearly? Saving some money upfront can be a reason but aside that, what is the actually reason or financial logic, depreciation math or what?

Although to me secondhand property is not a bad thing if someone decide to chose it over buying a new one. .but where I think it will be a problem is when you can't stop it again. Like I have said on different places on this forum that life is very addictive so we have to be careful with our decision otherwise it will become part of us that we can't control. This habit has made many people chose secondhand property even when the are rich or have the available money to afford the new one.

I don't see a difference in a neatly used product and a new one. If I see a neatly used product and a new one I will definitely go for the the used one not just because it's cheap but also because some of them are a more durable than most new products. I don't see a problem with someone being obsessed with fairly used products provided everything is intact and has never been taken to a repairer.

[Solodoski]

New product is definitely better than secondhand products,  but I think most people do it because of financial reasons. The main reason is that when they can't buy a new one, they go for the secondhand product, not because it's better, but I believe it's for financial reason. Some people claim that secondhand product are more original,  especially when it come to clothing,  but I always say that the secondhand they are buying are once new, so their reasons is wrong. Another reason is that when you they can't afford the new product,  they go for the secondhand to still get original instead of buying the fake of the same product that is new.

[Halifat]

New product is definitely better than secondhand products,  but I think most people do it because of financial reasons. The main reason is that when they can't buy a new one, they go for the secondhand product, not because it's better, but I believe it's for financial reason. Some people claim that secondhand product are more original,  especially when it come to clothing,  but I always say that the secondhand they are buying are once new, so their reasons is wrong. Another reason is that when you they can't afford the new product,  they go for the secondhand to still get original instead of buying the fake of the same product that is new.

Not every secondhand are better than new product, there are certain things which you will not use secondhand except the new one because it can never work. Take for instance can you compare the new tyres and the second hand tyres of any vehicle, anybody that go after secondhand then some of the materials would definitely lose completely. Getting new products sometimes is actually very expensive and that was usually the reason why a lot of people go for secondhand not because they are better than the new, but the finance is the problem.

[püsür]

I am on the seller side of this secondhand product business. For the last couple of year, I personally try to live a minimalist lifestyle as possibly as I could. For example, I used to have so many coffee machines, the best as possible and lots of styles of coffee. Now I keep it to two style of coffee, just black. So, I sold my coffee machines and products. The secondhand market for these devices were less than half of the original price. In my country, price of everything has skyrocketed. Everything is just twice as expensive than other countries. So, people should just buy secondhand, right? No. They actually don't buy as one might expect. But still, there are buyers and secondhand selling still a big thing. I think it’s great that things don’t go to waste. People should buy and sell more second-hand items. I think we, as a society, consume far too much. People don’t have to have the very latest and most unusual things. Sometimes, a simpler life can be better. I think an increase in the sale of second-hand items would be good for everyone.

[Agbamoni]

I don't see a difference in a neatly used product and a new one. If I see a neatly used product and a new one I will definitely go for the the used one not just because it's cheap but also because some of them are a more durable than most new products. I don't see a problem with someone being obsessed with fairly used products provided everything is intact and has never been taken to a repairer.

Neatly used products are risky. Every product has an expiry date, if you buy a fairly used product, they are close to their expiring date. It might be neat to the eye, but once the date is reached, it will get faulty. I also do not see a problem with someone buying a new product if they have the money to buy it. It would be greedy of them to buy the secondhand product because it is cheap when they can afford the new product.

[Dogedegen]

I am on the seller side of this secondhand product business. For the last couple of year, I personally try to live a minimalist lifestyle as possibly as I could. For example, I used to have so many coffee machines, the best as possible and lots of styles of coffee. Now I keep it to two style of coffee, just black. So, I sold my coffee machines and products. The secondhand market for these devices were less than half of the original price. In my country, price of everything has skyrocketed. Everything is just twice as expensive than other countries.

That is a strange example, and it can show how consumerism can get the better of us even with things that are healthy and simple habits like having coffee. I always wondered about people who get so many machines and what for. I have seen people have 2-3 and even at that point I was questioning their decisions, but others have even more than that. It is better to have a more complex quality machine that can deliver you some other styles when you want to, or sometimes drink the other styles in some place in the city. Minimalist lifestyle is so much better and easier than having a lot of material things.

So, people should just buy secondhand, right? No. They actually don't buy as one might expect. But still, there are buyers and secondhand selling still a big thing. I think it’s great that things don’t go to waste. People should buy and sell more second-hand items. I think we, as a society, consume far too much. People don’t have to have the very latest and most unusual things. Sometimes, a simpler life can be better. I think an increase in the sale of second-hand items would be good for everyone.

But it is not so easy and not only about the price. Many sellers are scammers, and there are different types of scams. Some will even attempt robbery if the money is significant. So I can understand that people don't want to deal with the annoyance of talking to many people online and trying to negotiate for a long time to save $50. If you think about expensive items then it makes more sense, but the risk of scam increases in second hand product the higher their worth so there are two things to pay attention to and which make people more hesitant to buy secondhand products.

[Miles2006]

Second hand products always have grade obviously some items are low grade depending on the product and one financial status. The common reason why most people choose second hand product is because they can’t afford buying brand new products, the answer is already known seeing op asked and answered the question. Aside lack of funds availability, no one wants to buy a product that’s not functioning proper but with a brand new product there’s a yearly guarantee.
Car used as an example tells the reason why a lot of people still go for second hand, firstly owning a car is very expensive, certainly in terms of car standard anyone can find a good second hand product that can last same as a brand new product depending on servicing and a good care.

[Salahmu]

Neatly used products are risky. Every product has an expiry date, if you buy a fairly used product, they are close to their expiring date. It might be neat to the eye, but once the date is reached, it will get faulty.

You are right but it depends on the product you are buying as a second hand because is not entirely all the product that could be expired from usage without the means of repairing it, however just like I have mentioned a car before on my other post I would also use it to explain to you why is not all the product that would failed because of expiration, so actually with a car the engine is were the main functions is so definitely when you get a second hand car and it happen that after a short time you started having problems with the engine you could actually change it by replacing the old one to new engine and the car will become as strong as new one.

[Jasmyne]

I don't see a difference in a neatly used product and a new one. If I see a neatly used product and a new one I will definitely go for the the used one not just because it's cheap but also because some of them are a more durable than most new products. I don't see a problem with someone being obsessed with fairly used products provided everything is intact and has never been taken to a repairer.

Neatly used products are risky. Every product has an expiry date, if you buy a fairly used product, they are close to their expiring date. It might be neat to the eye, but once the date is reached, it will get faulty. I also do not see a problem with someone buying a new product if they have the money to buy it. It would be greedy of them to buy the secondhand product because it is cheap when they can afford the new product.

I don't know if I am the only one who sees neatly used products as things the owners are either tired of using or something they just wanna dispose because it's giving them issues. Some may not be closer to their expiry date but they may be faulty and the owners may be looking for the next person to pass the problems to.  Some people also sell good products that are not new but for me it's either I get the brand new one or I wait till I have the complete money because you can't compare the two, brand new items will serve you for a long time before giving you issues but once it is neatly used if it develops fault after buying the owners will not listen to you.

[Iranus]

I don't see a difference in a neatly used product and a new one. If I see a neatly used product and a new one I will definitely go for the the used one not just because it's cheap but also because some of them are a more durable than most new products. I don't see a problem with someone being obsessed with fairly used products provided everything is intact and has never been taken to a repairer.

Neatly used products are risky. Every product has an expiry date, if you buy a fairly used product, they are close to their expiring date. It might be neat to the eye, but once the date is reached, it will get faulty. I also do not see a problem with someone buying a new product if they have the money to buy it. It would be greedy of them to buy the secondhand product because it is cheap when they can afford the new product.

What a lot of folks keep overlooking is that every product has a lifespan. An expensive product may be more durable, but that doesn't mean it'll last forever or somehow become more durable the longer you use it, as some people seem to think.

Aside from the risk of it breaking down, there's another nasty trap with well-kept secondhand gear, and that's the price. It's only a hair cheaper than brand-new, so imo it's not worth buying.

Take the iPhone 17 PM for example. A brand-new one costs $1,190, while one advertised as "99% likenew" goes for $1,100. I don't see any reason to go for the used one in this case. That's way too much to pay for a used phone given the risks.

[Olatundespo]

People in different places usually choose secondhand products instead of new ones. Tailoring it down to vehicle, between secondhand vehicles and new vehicles which one is mostly purchased yearly? Saving some money upfront can be a reason but aside that, what is the actually reason or financial logic, depreciation math or what?

For some it is a matter of saving money but many people buy old model houses or old houses as a hobby. Some people have a hobby of collecting old things, such people buy rare things and sell them at auction.
Some people buy old cars for their own use, use them for a short time to save money, they change the model and buy another old car. The attitude of such people to change the model is to show themselves more socially and to boast to friends that they are very rich.

[Obulis]

If I am needing a machine, I personally will prefer to go for new machine for smart uses, I hate to and can't love it to use what had been used before.

Let's be honest, nobody's gonna pick used over brand-new if they can afford a new one. Everyone wants something still sealed, to open the box themselves and be the first to use it. Who wouldn't , right?
But new stuff can be pretty expensive, and not everyone can afford it .

Buying  secondhand is just a way to get what you want within your budget. Doesn't mean you prefer used stuff over new.

Honestly, some or most times going for secondhand products will help manage someone's budget and some secondhand products are not far from being new only what makes it not new is that you didn't remove the seal by yourself but that doesn't reduce the efficiency of this product in anyway making it a wonderful economic decisions. At times, you don't expect a company to go buy new product because their machine is bad, when maintenance is not guaranteed and there are chances of hiring the same machine to carry on operation, that's what they'll do and by implications that is buying a secondhand products for a particular number of days or so.

[fruktik]

Although to me secondhand property is not a bad thing if someone decide to chose it over buying a new one. .but where I think it will be a problem is when you can't stop it again. Like I have said on different places on this forum that life is very addictive so we have to be careful with our decision otherwise it will become part of us that we can't control. This habit has made many people chose secondhand property even when the are rich or have the available money to afford the new one.

When buying a resale property, you should always immediately consider how much money will be needed for restoration and repairs. Quite often, such properties are in a truly deplorable state, and construction materials are currently very expensive.

As I recall, I looked into this a few years ago. A renovation company told me that the total cost—labor plus materials—would end up being as much as the price of the apartment itself. Just think about that! That’s why I decided to do at least some of the renovation work myself, in order to save a significant amount of money.

[SDS11]

People in different places usually choose secondhand products instead of new ones. Tailoring it down to vehicle, between secondhand vehicles and new vehicles which one is mostly purchased yearly? Saving some money upfront can be a reason but aside that, what is the actually reason or financial logic, depreciation math or what?

Secondhand vehicles are mostly purchased yearly, both in Nigeria.Many people buy secondhand vehicles because they don’t have money for new one’s , that’s not true. Also, many people who can afford new one’s still buys secondhand.The main reason is financial sense. When you buy new vehicles, you are paying for the name “brand new” alone. The car will be yours but the value drops immediately and you are the one bearing all the loss. With secondhand, someone else has already taken initial loss, you just come and enjoy the car at a reasonable price.
I have seen a secondhand car, that looks more luxury and more comfortable, still looks new , still drives new .

Also, secondhand market gives you more options, you can choose from different models, years and grades. While new market is limited to what is in showroom. Insurance and registration are also cheaper for secondhand, maintenance is almost the same and you worry less about small scratch. That’s why secondhand is more popular and it is not about poverty, it is about wise spending.

[Jubilee58]

Brand new products are very expensive, making some persons who are not much buoyant to go for them, for instance product like vehicle, greater percentage of those who uses second hand vehicle globally is as a result of financial issue so they buy the one they can afford to. I also know the second hand products are of different categories, while some can still be managed for some reasonable extent, some second hand products will start giving you problems from the initial time you bought them, making you spend more money on them even after purchasing them.

Furthermore, for people who want to build wealth , they don't go for products that are brand new, and very expensive instead they prefer second hand to enable them use the rest of their money to build their financial future, not as if they cannot really afford brand new cars or new products, they see those things as barrier to build wealth, and acheiving their financial goals and objectives.

[fruktik]

Brand new products are very expensive, making some persons who are not much buoyant to go for them, for instance product like vehicle, greater percentage of those who uses second hand vehicle globally is as a result of financial issue so they buy the one they can afford to. I also know the second hand products are of different categories, while some can still be managed for some reasonable extent, some second hand products will start giving you problems from the initial time you bought them, making you spend more money on them even after purchasing them.

Furthermore, for people who want to build wealth , they don't go for products that are brand new, and very expensive instead they prefer second hand to enable them use the rest of their money to build their financial future, not as if they cannot really afford brand new cars or new products, they see those things as barrier to build wealth, and acheiving their financial goals and objectives.

A rather wealthy man lives in my building, yet he never buys himself expensive items or high-end food. He leads an almost ascetic lifestyle, allowing himself no luxuries whatsoever. Why? It’s possible he’s simply a miser who cherishes every single penny—someone whose greed is so profound that he denies himself any of life’s pleasures.

Incidentally, there have been many such people throughout human history. They possessed great wealth, yet lived in conditions bordering on destitution. Is this some sort of psychological issue? How else could one explain it?

[Lion Heart]

People in different places usually choose secondhand products instead of new ones. Tailoring it down to vehicle, between secondhand vehicles and new vehicles which one is mostly purchased yearly? Saving some money upfront can be a reason but aside that, what is the actually reason or financial logic, depreciation math or what?

In Pakistan, I bought a Suzuki Khyber (Suzuki Swift) 1996 model in 2021 for PKR 310,000/- (1,820 USD), Now worth about PKR 500,000/- (1805 USD) in PKR it gained a lot but in dollars it gained nothing (the gain is based on falling of rupees compared to dollars). Then I bought Daihatsu Mira, 2014 model in March 2025 for PKR 2,250,000/- (~8,035 USD) worth now about PKR 2,400,000/- (8,665 USD) which is a gain in rupees and also in dollars, both cars were purchased as used cars. Repairs I did in Mira after two years using japenese used parts about PKR 26,000/- (94 USD) covering two years. those used parts runs like new.
Japenese used parts are trusted here as compared to local or chinese new copies (here often you will not see the original chinese parts, they are made locally and labelled as orignal chinese with fake labels, verifying whats in the box is very difficult). Example japenese used brake pads and brake shoes are preferred over cheap new local copies, (sometimes they cost you like a japenese genuine original part). I and my family and colleagues also prefer Japenese used parts for consumables and engine works as well. sometimes supply of new parts get short and used part often runs well for two or three years or more and it costs too little as compared to new original (genuine) part thats why I prefer to choose japenese used parts. but I make sure that the used unit I'm purchasing is a well-condition part, then it will function properly.

[Hewlet]

People in different places usually choose secondhand products instead of new ones. Tailoring it down to vehicle, between secondhand vehicles and new vehicles which one is mostly purchased yearly? Saving some money upfront can be a reason but aside that, what is the actually reason or financial logic, depreciation math or what?

If you have the financial means of getting a new item, would you still go for a second hand version of the item? if you are able to answer this then it should be clear to you that people get second hand product mainly because they are not financially strong enough to get the new one.

In terms of cars, people go to the extent of buying just the chassis and later on buy the Engine and then couple them together. in the end, man wants to survive and that is what matters most. The economy is not friendly in different part of the world and people are just trying to get the cheaper version of most item just to ease things up for themselves. life is not all about who buys the most expensive things. inner peace comes with being content with the little or much that you have.

[Nothingtodo]

People in different places usually choose secondhand products instead of new ones. Tailoring it down to vehicle, between secondhand vehicles and new vehicles which one is mostly purchased yearly? Saving some money upfront can be a reason but aside that, what is the actually reason or financial logic, depreciation math or what?

The reason why people are generally interested in second-hand items is that the quality of second-hand items is fairly good and there is some financial savings. However, in my case, I do not like second-hand products because if there is a defect in the second-hand product, then you have to spend extra money to fix that defect.

[lovesmayfamilis]

I also think that the reason why people always purchase second hand products is because most of their parts can be seen compared to new products another reason is durability and how stronger it can last, most cars or items that are second hands last longer and are stronger and most importantly cheaper compared to the New ones being sold.

Second hand products most of them are of better quality and has great value compared to new products.

This is the first time I hear that used stuff is more durable and lasts longer than new. Lol.

You gotta understand that every product has lifespan and wears down over time. Electronics especially. Their components degrade, and risk of something breaking goes up after years of use.
Just because a used item still works fine does not mean it's more durable than a new one. It just has not broken down yet.

I get buying  second-hand because it's  cheaper , and that's the main reason people go for it .  But cheaper doesn't mean more durable or better quality. If used products were really better than new ones, who'd still bother buying new stuff, haha?

I'm laughing with you. Perhaps the guy confused the used items with some cognac or wine, which age makes even more attractive and tasty. But things?🤷‍♀️ But when it comes to everyday items, how can they still be considered 'high quality' after someone else has already used them? Let's guess? There's such a thing as antiques; that's probably what we're talking about. But again: antiques are cherished; they are practically not used but are kept as museum pieces or heirlooms.