Recent studies show that in the past year, new product sales have increased by 2 per cent. Whereas used product sales increased by 35 per cent. Despite the recession, people cannot stop holiday shopping. So, it is better to buy used products instead of shedding money on brand new ones when you can get away with the used ones.
Used Products
Garage sales, yard sales, flea market, Craigslist, Goodwill store, friends and family are some of the sources for buying used products. Or, you can buy used products online at eBay, Amazon, Meritline or similar websites. Some products such as jewelery, work-out equipment, musical instruments, seasonal clothing, and musical CDs and games are better to buy used. Some of these products may not lose their value over time and some may require prior testing before we buy.
Most people buy bigger items such as furniture, cars, kitchen accessories, laundry equipment from used dealers. You may have to pay some money for minor repairs or modifications. Yet, some products have longer life and do not change much over a period of time. Sometimes it may be riskier to buy used sophisticated electronic equipment.
Holiday Shopping
During the holidays, it is becoming mandatory to shop and buy cloths and gifts. While we may not compromise on some items such as gifts, it is better to postpone until Thanksgiving when our stores will be raining discounts, offers and coupons. Further, it is suggested to set aside some amount monthly for buying gifts and other items planned.
Some stores have an option of accumulating points or amount or offer interest free credit. If you have enough time it is always better to approach a retail outlet for better deals and products. Sometimes we even end up buying the product we already have!
Overall, it is becoming increasingly prominent to curb the urge to stop spending and think ahead before buying anything new. 🙂