New isn’t always better. For many categories, secondhand items offer the same quality at a fraction of the price. Furniture, electronics, clothing, books, sporting equipment — all available used, often barely touched.

The trick is knowing where to look and what to avoid.

Where to Shop

Facebook Marketplace is the largest secondhand marketplace in Australia. It’s free to list and buy, local (reducing shipping hassle), and covers everything from furniture to cars.

Tips: search regularly for items you want (new listings appear constantly). Filter by distance. Check the seller’s profile — accounts with history and mutual friends are more trustworthy.

Gumtree was Australia’s go-to classifieds for years. It’s still solid for furniture, electronics, and vehicles, though Facebook Marketplace has overtaken it in volume.

eBay is best for specific items where you know exactly what you want. Electronics, collectibles, and branded goods. The buyer protection is stronger than peer-to-peer platforms.

Op shops (charity shops) are gold mines if you have patience. Salvos, Vinnies, and Red Cross shops receive regular donations. Quality varies wildly, but the prices are the lowest you’ll find.

The best op shops are in wealthy suburbs. Items donated in affluent areas tend to be higher quality. Worth the drive if you’re furnishing a home.

Depop and Poshmark for clothing. These platforms are curated and categorised better than Marketplace for fashion. Prices are higher than op shops but lower than retail.

What to Buy Secondhand

Furniture. Solid wood furniture from the 1970s-1990s is often better quality than new flat-pack. A secondhand timber dining table for $200 will outlast a $600 particle board table from a furniture chain.

Sofas are trickier — check for stains, pet damage, and structural integrity. But dressers, tables, chairs, bookcases, and desks are excellent secondhand purchases.

Electronics (carefully). Recent-model phones, tablets, and laptops hold their performance well. A two-year-old flagship phone at 40% of the retail price is often a better deal than a new budget phone.

Test everything before buying. Check battery health on phones and laptops. Factory reset any device before you set it up.

Books. Unless you need the latest release, secondhand books are identical to new ones at 10-30% of the price. Op shops sell books for $1-$5.

Sporting equipment. Gym equipment, bicycles, surfboards, golf clubs. These items depreciate rapidly the moment they’re bought. A secondhand bicycle that’s barely been ridden costs half the new price.

Children’s items. Kids outgrow everything quickly. Clothes, toys, high chairs, and prams are available secondhand in great condition because they’re barely used before children outgrow them.

What to Avoid Secondhand

Mattresses. Hygiene concerns are real, and wear isn’t always visible. This is one area where buying new is worth the investment.

Car seats and helmets. Safety equipment has expiry dates and can have invisible damage from previous impacts. Always buy these new.

Shoes (with exceptions). Used shoes conform to someone else’s foot shape. Exception: formal shoes worn a handful of times are usually fine.

Underwear and swimwear. For obvious reasons.

Items with hidden wear. Be cautious with anything where internal components can be worn out invisibly: washing machines, dishwashers, used car tyres.

Negotiation Tips

Secondhand prices are almost always negotiable. Here’s how to do it respectfully:

Make a reasonable offer. If something is listed at $100, offering $70-$80 is reasonable. Offering $20 is insulting.

Use condition as leverage. “I noticed a scratch on the side — would you take $X?” gives a reason for the lower offer.

Bundle purchases. “I’d like the table and chairs. Would you do $X for both?” Sellers appreciate clearing multiple items at once.

Be ready to pay cash. Cash is faster and simpler for the seller. Some sellers accept lower offers for the convenience of an immediate cash transaction.

Don’t lowball and then haggle further. If the seller accepts your offer, honour it. Trying to negotiate further when you arrive is poor form.

Safety When Meeting Sellers

Meet in public places when possible. Shopping centres, police stations, and busy cafes are all good options.

Bring someone with you for large purchases or if you’re meeting at someone’s home.

Trust your instincts. If something feels off about the listing or the seller, walk away. There will always be another item.

Check items thoroughly before paying. Test electronics. Inspect furniture. Check for damage. Once you’ve paid and left, you have limited recourse.

The Environmental Angle

Buying secondhand extends the life of existing products, reduces manufacturing demand, and keeps items out of landfill. A piece of furniture used by three owners over thirty years is vastly better environmentally than three pieces of furniture bought new and discarded after ten years each.

This isn’t the primary reason most people buy secondhand — saving money is. But it’s a genuine bonus.

The best item is the one that already exists. Start checking Marketplace before heading to the shops. You might be surprised what you find.