17 Things You Should Absolutely Avoid Buying at Garage Sales
A trip to a garage sale is a great way to save money. With garage sales, you can buy things you need at a fraction of its cost.
Garage sales usually have everything you might need for your home. From furniture to kitchen appliances, there’ll surely be something you can benefit from. However, not everything you spot on sale is something you should buy.
While there are things worth buying, there are items you should definitely avoid. To prevent wasting your money, we’ve gathered a list of things you should never buy at garage sales.
1. Car Seats
Car seats can be pricey, especially if you’re looking for extra features, such as a 360° system compatible with newborns and toddlers. To save costs, some parents look for car seats at garage sales to get the features they want for half the price.
However, you should be very careful with buying used car seats from a garage sale, no matter how much you can save. A used car seat might’ve been involved in an accident, affecting its durability. Or it may be older and not comply with the latest safety standards. You don’t want to risk your child’s safety to save a little money.
2. Cribs
Cribs are a necessity. But cribs can be pretty pricey, especially if you think about how long a child can use them. However, be very careful with cribs at a garage sale.
You never know if a crib has already been broken or is starting to fall apart. And cribs before 2011 don’t have the newest regulations implemented. If the crib is in good condition and meets current standards, and you’re absolutely sure they do, it may be worth considering buying it. Personally, I wouldn’t take the risk, but it’s up to you.
3. Helmet
Safety should always be your priority, regardless of the price. It’s not worth saving money on a helmet if you put your safety on the line. Even if it’s a good-looking helmet at an affordable price, you would be wise to skip it.
Like a car seat, you can never be sure if the helmet already experienced an accident. Plus, the helmet might be old and no longer reliable for safety. Even if you don’t see it on the helmet and it seems fine, these things may happen.
4. Mattress
Good quality mattresses are expensive. However, you should avoid buying a mattress at garage sales as it could be home to small insects and other hygiene issues.
Even if a mattress looks clean and brand new, bed bugs or other small insects may lurk inside, waiting for their new home. Even if you deep clean a mattress, you can never be sure if they’re thoroughly cleaned out.
5. Pillows and Pillowcases
Like your mattress, you can never be confident if a pillow or pillowcase is clean. Sure, you can clean your pillow with hot water and dry it in direct sunlight, but that doesn’t mean the pillow is entirely clean.
Pillows are very personal. What works for one person doesn’t have to work for another. Plus, pillows lose their shape over time, which can mean neck pain. Pillows, and especially pillowcases, are usually affordable. You can buy them at any home store without burning a hole in your pockets, so it’s probably not worth the risk.
6. Medical Supplies
While this is an obvious tip, never buy medical supplies at a garage sale, even if they look brand new. A used medical supply may lead to infections, especially since it may have been directly in contact with various diseases.
You shouldn’t buy anything directly touching other people’s skin. Even if the tool looks brand new, you should skip them while shopping.
7. Cosmetics
You should never buy makeup, skincare, or tools at a garage sale. Anything that has direct contact with the skin is something you should avoid. Even if brushes and other tools are washable, it’s better to buy them brand-new.
You will never know the hygiene practices of the people you buy from. They might be dirty and wipe them to make them look clean. That doesn’t mean the bacteria inside are dead.
8. Shoes
Shoes have a lifespan. Just because a pair looks good doesn’t mean they’re still good to use. They may be worn out or have other issues you may not know about.
A typical running shoe, for example, only has a lifespan of 300 to 500 miles. Extending the usage can lead to painful feet and the possibility of injuries.
9. Laptop
Buying a laptop from a garage sale feels like a steal. However, electronic devices can be fragile, and minor damage can significantly affect the laptop’s performance and durability.
When a laptop has been dropped or spilled on, its lifespan will be significantly shorter. The battery life might also affect its convenience, especially if you plan to bring them for travel.
10. Baby Bottles
Never buy baby bottles at a garage sale. Yes, you need to replace bottles every three months, which makes it a recurring expense. But while a garage sale can save you a few bucks, your child’s safety isn’t worth the risk.
You can never know if the bottles have been thoroughly cleaned and sterilized. A new set of bottles isn’t that pricey, as there are local brands you can use.
11. Non-Stick Pots and Pans
Non-stick pans have a thin coating film to prevent food from sticking. However, this coating can peel over time, which poses a health risk. Peeling may not be noticeable, especially with dark-colored pans.
When buying pots and pans, choose a wok or other alternatives. Avoid non-stick pans and get new ones instead.
12. Upholstered Furniture
Upholstered furniture can be expensive if you buy them brand new. However, never buy upholstered furniture from a garage sale, as you need to prioritize your home’s safety and hygiene.
Upholstered furniture can harbor bed bugs and other insects. Deep cleaning them does not guarantee they’re 100% clean and safe for your home. You can purchase other furniture at the garage sale instead; just make sure it has no fabrics or cushioning.
13. Stuffed Toys
There’s something about old stuffed toys that makes you feel nostalgic. It might be a design you’ve always loved or your child’s favorite animal. No matter how affordable they are, you shouldn’t buy used stuffed toys from a garage sale.
Like mattresses and upholstery, stuffed toys can be home to bed bugs and other dirt. Even if you wash them in hot water, it doesn’t guarantee 100% safety. Your child might hug or bite them, making direct contact with their body.
14. Hats
Not every hat is washable. No matter how fashionable or great-looking a hat is, you should avoid them in garage sales.
Since a hat is worn on your head, it might have sweat, skin cells, or hair products from previous owners. Wearing that to save a few bucks isn’t ideal.
15. Kitchen Appliances
Plenty of kitchen appliances look good but don’t work perfectly. I had a blender that looked brand new but couldn’t crush ice like it did before. Even if you can test a product at garage sales, you can’t be sure of its performance.
You can wait for sales to buy new kitchen appliances. That way, you can still save a few bucks and get something brand new.
16. Intimate Clothing
Would you be comfortable wearing somebody else’s underwear, not knowing what it has gone through?
Never buy intimate clothing, even if you can wash them with hot water. This includes swimwear as they thin out after quickly, especially with highly-chlorinated pools.
17. Kids Toys
Buying kids’ toys at garage sales seems practical. My kids quickly get bored of their toys, and brand-new ones can be expensive. While secondhand toys are often a great deal, you need to check them carefully.
Inspect the toys for loose screws, leaky batteries, or sharp edges. If you’re unsure about their condition, put them back and buy new toys from a dollar store instead.
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