Thrift-shopping is a great way to buy high-end clothing and accessories well below retail prices. However, when buying used items it's important to really think about your purchases.
Typically, any item that you can clean well is a safe bet. But some items that are difficult to clean and potentially carry harmful germs probably shouldn't be purchased from a secondhand store.
When you're shopping at a thrift store, you'll want to avoid these 12 items:
Children's safety equipment including cribs, strollers, and car seats.
When it comes to children's safety, you can never be too careful.
If you're considering buying a crib, stroller, or car seat secondhand, you'll want to thoroughly check these items for damage because, unlike with clothes, the faults on these items aren't always visible.
Because safety standards change frequently, it's essential that you do your research to see if the item you want to buy has been recalled, according to Duct Tape and Denim.
Duct Tape and Denim also notes that car seats are only built to last one car crash. Because it's close to impossible to know an item's past while you're thrift-shopping, buying a used car seat might not be worth the risk.
Helmets.
Like car seats, protective bike and motorcycle helmets are only built to withstand one impact, according to Duct Tape and Denim.
Because it can be difficult to know a used item's history, you're better off safe than sorry. Not to mention, helmets, like hats, can also be carriers for lice and other infections.
Electric appliances.
When considering purchasing used electronics, you should to test them out in the store to make sure they work properly, according to Bargain Babe.
Vintage appliances can be faulty and outdated, so it's best to make sure that they work before you spend money on them.
See the rest of the story at Business Insider