Garage sales can be treasure troves of hidden gems, offering everything from vintage clothing to antique furniture and kitchen tools at a fraction of their retail prices. Approximately 6.5 to 9 million garage sales are held annually in American neighborhoods where people sell used goods. Though affordability is the idea behind buying at garage sales, not all items at these sales are worth the bargain. Some can be downright terrible investments as these items can be unsafe, unsanitary, or useless. Whether you’re an avid thrifter or a casual browser, knowing what to avoid can save you from a regrettable purchase.
Read on to learn 11 worst things you could buy at a garage sale.
Lingerie
It is one thing to buy a pre-cared vintage bridal dress and another to purchase lacy knickers from a garage sale. Even if it says ‘gently used,’ you can never know who has worn it and how. More than unclean, it is gross to wear someone else’s knickers and bras. The same goes for swimming suits. These are intimate wear; hence, they better not be shared. So unless you come across old, unused panties and bras in their original packets, stay clear of them.
Adult Toys
Like lingerie, adult toys come under the ‘buy once, sell never’ category. Firstly, these items should not be displayed at a garage sale; if they are, one must never buy them. As they have been used in intimate body regions, they can harbor bacteria that can lead to infections, including UTI, STI, yeast infections, and bacterial vaginosis. While you can choose non-porous pre-owned adult toys and sterilize them, there is still a risk of getting infected. Whatever their cost might be, whatever your fetish might be, never buy a used adult toy.
Used Mattresses
Mattresses are expensive. According to the Sleep Foundation, even if you are on a budget, you will spend an average of US$600 for a queen-size mattress and US$400 for a twin-size mattress. Hence, most people would want to buy mattresses at a bargain. However, used mattresses can be a breeding ground for bed bugs, dust mites, and bacteria. Once they set up residence in your home, it can be challenging to get rid of them, and you will need to hire an exterminator. When inhaled, dust mites can lead to dust mite allergy manifesting in sneezing, runny nose, or cough, and must be treated with medications. The risk of bringing these pests into your home far outweighs the cost savings. Used mattresses can come with stains, pet dander, mold, or hard-to-remove odors. Moreover, older mattresses may lack the proper support, leading to potential health issues like back pain.
Child Safety Seats
The primary objective of a car seat is safety; hence, purchasing a secondhand car seat might be unsafe. Car seats are made from plastic that degrades with time. Safety regulations for car seats frequently update, and older models might not meet current standards. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) advises a child car seat to be replaced following a moderate or severe car crash. A used car seat might also have unseen damage or might have been in a major accident that you could not tell, compromising its effectiveness in protecting your child during an accident.
Cosmetics And Personal Care Products
The USFDA regulations don’t require cosmetics to have expiration dates printed on the labels. Hence, when you purchase these products at a yard sale, you don’t know when the previous owner bought the item and whether it is now at its past use-by date. Used cosmetics can harbor bacteria and lead to infections. Similarly, personal care products like lotions and creams degrade over time, losing their effectiveness. According to USFDAone should not share makeup. Using someone’s brushes or applicators can be unsanitary as you don’t know if the earlier user kept them clean and sterilized.
Books
A yard sale is a haven for a bibliophile with vintage, hard-to-get books. However, books with water damage or mold can lead to allergies or respiratory issues. Mold spores can spread to other items in your home, exacerbating the problem. Scrutinizing books and avoiding them with signs of water damage is wise.
Helmets
Helmets are designed to shield from a single significant impact. Even if a helmet looks undamaged, it could have micro-cracks or structural weaknesses that you may not be able to tell, rendering it ineffective. A helmet must meet current Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC ) standards. Many old models may not meet CPSC bicycle helmet standards. Hence, a used helmet may be dangerous for you or your child.
Electronics
Older electronics can be a gamble. If you are looking for the latest electronics, like smart television sets or surround-sound systems, you won’t find them at yard sales. Yard sales are usually for discontinued, not-in-use products such as plasma-screen TVs. Additionally, outdated electronics often lack current software and hardware support, making them slow and less useful. These items may not function properly or at all when you come home or become obsolete soon after purchase. Since most garage sale items cannot be returned even if they don’t work, it can be a waste of money.
Kitchen Appliances
Giving a blender a test run at a garage sale is not always possible. Hence, you might come home with a used blender and realize it is not working. Used appliances may have hidden faults that can lead to expensive repairs. Older models are also less energy-efficient, leading to higher utility bills. Investing in new appliances with a warranty and energy-saving features is often more cost-effective in the long run. Older kitchen appliances may not meet today’s safety standards and could pose a fire hazard risk.
Shoes
Shoes should ideally be replaced after 300-500 miles of walking or running or when they show unevenness when placed on a flat surface. However, sometimes shoes sold in garage sales might not show outward signs of wearing and aging, but they can still not be fit. Shoes conform to the shape of the original owner’s feet and wear patterns. Buying used shoes, even good quality athletic shoes or tennis sneakers, can lead to discomfort and foot problems due to improper fit, wearing of traction, and lack of support. It’s best to purchase new shoes that mold correctly to your feet. Furthermore, you don’t know if the previous owner wore the shoes without socks or if they had foot fungus. You would not want to wear shoes with someone’s stinky and sweaty feet and expose yourself to a fungal infection, including athlete’s foot.
Tires
Garage sale tires may seem like a great deal, but they could have unseen damage or wear that makes them unsafe. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), old (even if never used and kept as a spare) or worn-out tires are a major cause of vehicle accidents in the U.S.