Secondhand shopping: What items would you never buy used?

Dear Community,
buying secondhand is sustainable and often cheaper. What items would you never buy secondhand?

Dear Josefa,

your question reminds me of the old days when I used to spend a lot of time browsing flea markets. We had a group of 5 to 7 flea market vendors who sold their goods from permanent booths in the flea market halls. There was furniture, larger items, paintings, and tableware, and there were countless lamps hanging from the ceiling. All of these were items you wouldn’t find at the quick-set-up flea markets in supermarket parking lots. They were open during the week and on Saturdays. Next to them was a snack bar serving coffee and cake. The tableware at this snack bar came from the flea market halls—so there were all kinds of different coffee cups.

I found lots of beautiful things there. Unfortunately, the vendors had to close their shops one by one because they could no longer afford the rent. The pandemic brought mandatory closures, mask mandates, and a drastic drop in sales. Customers stopped coming, but the rent for the commercial spaces still had to be paid. Today, the flea market halls are closed. They’ve been converted into refugee shelters. The government pays the rent there.

Since then, I haven’t really felt like going to flea markets anymore. I only go to the one that takes place twice a year in our town.

Well, what wouldn’t I buy?
It’s hard to say. I’d buy whatever I like and find appealing. But the older you get, the more stuff you already have, and whether you really want to add to it… It really has to be something very special for me to take it home. For me, flea markets these days are more places to stroll, look around, and reminisce—less for buying.

Best regards, Ina

When I go to a flea market, I keep an eye out for old thimbles, because you can find some really great pieces there. I collect antique thimbles.

Best regards, Inge

I buy most of my clothes secondhand.

The things I don’t buy secondhand are socks and underwear—and very rarely shoes.

I would never buy shoes or underwear secondhand. As for other clothes and items, I’d give them a sniff first. If they smell musty, I won’t buy them—you can never get that smell out.