Refreshing Without Buying New: Renewing with Second-Hand
The feeling of renewal and freshness that comes with the new year accompanies all of us during these Jewish holiday days. The desire to change, refresh, and renew what we have doesn’t require going to a store and purchasing new furniture or decorative accessories. A sense of renewal can be achieved through simple and much cheaper actions, like refurbishing and painting old furniture, reorganizing your space, and purchasing second-hand design items and furniture.
Buying second-hand products and furniture has become, in recent years, a popular option thanks to strengthening social and environmental values and the need to reconsider consumer culture. Second-hand furniture can be found in many stores, but most purchases are now made online. The Israeli, Agora website allows you to receive furniture items for free, and sites like Yad2 enable you to purchase products at a price ultimately determined through negotiation between buyer and seller. Recently, there’s been a boom in Facebook groups where you can buy and sell second-hand items. In FB groups that promote second hand items, you can find almost anything, from a single item to complete home contents. Sometimes, under the guise of second-hand furniture sales groups, quite a few brand-new items are also sold. One thing is certain: with investment of effort and time, you can find a suitable product at a very attractive discounted price.
Key Points to Consider When Buying Second-Hand, Recycling, Refurbishing, and Making Changes:
- Examine whether you really need it – Were you actively searching for furniture or did you simply stumble upon a tempting offer? Before purchasing – think twice about your actual need.
- Does the product really fit – Before buying second-hand furniture, check thoroughly that it suits your needs and how well it matches your existing home furniture.
- What does it really cost – Examine the advantages and disadvantages of purchasing second-hand furniture versus refurbishing what you have or buying new furniture. When considering different options, factor in the costs involved in repairing, refurbishing, and painting existing items, as well as the delivery, disassembly, and assembly costs of a new product. Carefully examine the total cost before making your decision.
- Don’t buy blindly – When buying second-hand furniture, check with the seller how long they’ve had the product and what the reason for selling is. Ask for detailed photos – ones where the product is clearly visible – along with the furniture’s measurements and complete details. If the product has a warranty, ask to see it. You can only make your final decision when you see the product with your own eyes. Explain this to the seller before completing the transaction.
- Not everything is worth buying second-hand – There are used products you should check extra carefully before purchasing. When you disassemble furniture and reassemble it, make sure that reassembling it in your home won’t involve any danger and that the furniture will be safe to use. Consult a professional if needed.
