herlife | financeTop Things YouShould NotBuy Usedby candi smithThere are items that you can purchase which are gentlyused that work well. But you need to be careful whenpurchasing. While it’s tempting to buy used items fromtime to time, <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong> offers some recommendations for itemsyou should never buy used.Some of the most important items you can purchase for yourchild are their crib and furniture. While you might be tempted tobuy a used crib, don’t do it because you don’t know if the crib hadprevious recalls or is missing important components. And the samegoes for car seats. Every year, safety engineers are improving on carseat designs so spend the extra money to get a safe product.“When it comes to your car’s tires,always purchase them new. You don’tknow the history of used tires and it’snot worth the risk worrying if they’vebeen involved in a previous accident.”36 <strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>MAGAZINE.COM
When it comes to your car’s tires, always purchase them new. Youdon’t know the history of used tires and it’s not worth the risk worrying ifthey’ve been involved in a previous accident. Plus, most new tires comewith a warranty package which is nice if you find yourself with a flat andneeding a replacement. Used tires won’t offer that degree of security.In today’s electronic age, people are buying and selling laptops,hardware and software on a fairly routine basis. However, the problemwith used computer items is you have to consider if the items arestolen, refurbished, not covered under warranty or unusable due topreregistered serial numbers. And, laptop damage is not always visibleso you don’t know if it’s had liquid spilled in its components, if it’s beenabused, etc. It’s best to buy new because most manufacturers offer freetech support, extended warranties and the peace of mind of knowingyour laptop’s history.In today’s electronic age, peopleare buying and selling laptops,hardware and software on a fairlyroutine basis. However, the problemwith used computer items is youhave to consider if the items arestolen, refurbished, not coveredunder warranty or unusable due topreregistered serial numbers.Plasma and high definition televisions have expensive replacementparts that often cost as much as buying a new TV outright would run.When you consider that older TVs had a seven percent malfunction rate(as is common with new technology), it’s best to get something updated.Plus, you can purchase an extended warranty on a new set that wouldn’tbe offered if you buy used.Some electronics take a beating that’s not always visible to thenaked eye. For instance, many DVD players, speakers, microphones,and digital and video cameras have laser parts that don’t work well afterthey’ve been dropped, mishandled or banged about. Do your shopping,look for sales and you’ll be able to find a new, updated version of thegadgetry you seek.If you’re a photographer, you might be tempted to purchase usedcameras and photo bulbs. However, considering a camera’s lens is itsmost important asset, you want to be sure that there’s nothing damagedthat would affect the outcome of your photos. Additionally, while photobulbs tend to be pricey, they generally have a long lifespan. So pay theprice to ensure that your memorable moments aren’t ruined becauseyou saved a few bucks.Buying a used vacuum cleaner is discouraged because they tend toget a lot of use, you don’t know what’s been sucked up through its hosesand they are prone to faulty wiring. Plus, fixing older vacuums can becostly if you have to find outdated parts and bags.Bicycle helmets make the list of no-no’s when buying used.Usually, during an accident, a helmet will only have its interior foamcrushed, and doesn’t always show damage on the helmet’s exterior. Butsince they are built to sustain a single crash, it’s best to err on the side ofsafety and purchase a new one.Boats can be a big ticket item many people might want to buyused. However, unlike cars that are driven and maintained regularly,boats don’t get serviced often and tend to have more maintenanceissues. Since it would be tough to test drive a boat, and getting amechanical diagnostic test can be expensive, you’d be better off buyingsomething new with a warranty.Finally, while you can save a pretty penny by buying engagementsets and fine jewelry from another individual or through estate salesand consignment shops, you have no way to verify the jewelry’s quality.Unless you are dealing with a professional jewelry reseller who canprovide a certification of the stone’s quality, you are taking a hugefinancial risk. Purchase from a trusted source so that if you haveproblems down the road (such as a loose prong or you simply want agood cleaning), you have a business you can rely upon. ■Sources for this article were found at www.wisebread.com,www.shopping.yahoo.com, www.foxbusiness.com andwww.money.msn.com.<strong>HER</strong><strong>LIFE</strong>MAGAZINE.COM 37