Shopping for pre-loved items saves the environment and your cash. Here’s what to be wary of and how to find the best deals
WORDS: LAURA MENENDEZ
I MONEY
There are many reasons to shop second-hand. Not only is it better for the environment – a 2022 study found that the UK produces 206,456 tonnes of textile waste a year – but it will also help you to save money.
Still, shopping second hand online can be a bit overwhelming.
Millions of items are available for sale on online platforms at any given time, so how do you track down what you are ooking for?
Second hand shopping can be tricky at first, but it just takes a little bit of practice.
Here are some tips on how to shop safely and find the deals you want....
Know The Risks
Shopping second hand has so many benefits, but also some things to be aware of. For one, as you will often be buying from individuals and not businesses, you cannot return items when they don’t fit, or if you change your mind.
Another aspect to watch out for is scams. Unfortunately, not everyone is honest. Counterfeit and prepayment scams exist among others.
Avoid paying the seller outside of the usual way dictated by the platform.
If you are unsure if something is legitimate, contact the online platform first.
Where To Shop
There is an abundance of sites selling second hand clothing online. Even many charities now have both high street and online shops. Three of the biggest are:
● eBay: eBay is an auction house and marketplace where you can buy goods from individual sellers. You don’t need an app to access eBay, a simple Google search will get you there. You will need to create an account. It usually works on a bidding basis, but some goods have a fixed price.
● Vinted: Vinted is a fashion marketplace app you download onto your phone. It allows you to buy clothes from sellers across the country. To use Vinted, you will need an account linked to a payment method. Vinted is known for its cheap prices and buyer protection.
● Depop: Very similar to Vinted, Depop is another fashion marketplace app you will need to download onto your phone. You will also need to download an app and link your account to a payment method.
The Basics
Ask your seller a lot of quest
