What would you never buy at a thrift store?

[ChrisMiss]

What items would you never buy at a thrift store, yard sale, etc.? 

I would never buy underwear; even if they were Bill Clinton's boxers.  I wouldn't buy a bathing suit but I know that people do.  I just have a hard time accepting that once I've washed it the item is sanitary enough.

There are certain kinds of plastic I would not buy either.  Certain kinds of plastic seem to absorb odors and flavors and never let it go.

I used to never buy shoes but now I'll buy them if they have little to no wear.  I clean them very good and I feel that they are sanitary enough.

What's your list of no-no items?

[Big Daddy Audio]

A curling iron.  I have no use for one, and chances are, it won't work.

A puzzle, unless the box is factory sealed.  There's NO WAY ON EARTH to check if it's complete without putting it together.

National Geographic Magazines - everyone who ever got this saved them figuring they'd be worth lots o' cash someday.  People saved their pet rocks, but threw away the box and paperwork figuring the same thing.  Neither has prospered.

Jim Nabors records.  I wouldn't buy one anywhere, so why buy one at a thrift store?

I'm sure there are other things, but there's a start.

That is all.

[Magpie18]

I agree with the no underwear, no bathing suits rule.

I also avoid safety equipment -- children's car seats, bike helmets etc.

& then there are the things prone to safety recalls...hair dryers, humidifiers, cribs etc...always check those on the internet.

[Sprocket]

I'm jumping on the 'No Underwear' Bandwagon too...no socks either =)

[ChrisMiss]

Oh yes, I agree about the socks.  That's a no-no.

I might buy National Geographic magazine but only to read and enjoy the subject and if the price was reasonable.  Sometimes those magazines are too expensive even at the thrift store.  But they do have some great pictures in them.

I totally agree about items that are for safety such as car seats.  One time we received several bike helmets for free and donated all the ones we didn't need.   

[Big Daddy Audio]

Bike Helmets -

These are disposable.  They are good for one crash, and or 1-2 years, depending on climate.  In PHX, after about a year, the expanded polystyrene starts to break down and the protection is not what it should be.  It may look right, but the shock absorption starts to decrease. 

Underwear and socks are a given, but then, these are usually so cheap at factory outlet stores that I don't bother to even look at them.  Pajamas will be bought by the wife, as will some nicer lingerie items (nothing routine - It'd have to be a nice label on a nice item). 

Child safety items in general - Great strides are being made in this area, and it pays to buy new and the best you can afford (we're talking about your KIDS' SAFETY here, for pete's sake).  You can never be sure that the previous owner didn't make some sort of minor modification (for their convenience or what have you) that would negate the safety aspects of the seat.  Clothes are one thing, car safety seats are not even in the same ballpark.  I'm not taking about strollers here - you can do well in a thrift store or at garage sales with these - just be sure you understand how to work the darn thing - some of these newer strollers are more complex than a 7.1 surround system.  And the idea about the recalls is important as well.  The goodwills around PHX generally discard donations under recall.

That is all.

[ChrisMiss]

Good important facts about child safety items.  I hope that the truly needy check first for the safety of the items before buying it at the thrift store.   

[Sprocket]

The Goodwills near me won't even accept items like car seats, baby swings, or baby bike seats as donations.

-Will

[Jay2TheRescue]

The Goodwills near me won't even accept items like car seats, baby swings, or baby bike seats as donations.

-Will

A lot of thrift stores around here will not accept exercise equipment, toys, or computer equipment.  I've pulled up to Goodwill before and they started to be picky about what they'd take so I just left and went to another thrift shop.

-Jay

[alexandra]

No used socks, underwear or bathing suits.  And since I'm a heathen, I tend to not consider religious items... unless they are really kitschy!

Thriftily,
Alexandra
www.livingwithoutmoney.blogspot.com

[Mattie]

Socks.

Underwear.

Swimsuits.

Motorcycle helmets, for the same reason BDA lists about bike helmets. 

Like Alexandra, I'll only buy a religious item if it'll work in an assemblage, and even then I may pass on it if it gives me weird vibes.  Some things should only be bought by those who understand their significance!

Partially-used bath/beauty items like bubble bath and nail polish.  I'll buy bars of soap in thrifts but only if they're in the original sealed package.

[Other People s Junk]

No used socks, underwear or bathing suits. 

I would agree, although I have gotten great baby socks at a thrift that were almost new.  (Babies tend to outgrow socks fast- and I haven't heard of any babies with athlete's foot, so it's a safe bet.)  Also I have to admit I bought a bathing suit once, but it was a super cute vintage one that I just couldn't pass up for $3 and I did wash it...

[MrsGoodwill]

Won't buy underwear. Or sheets if they have that "funny" used smell to them. blech! I am particular about kitchen items too. I won't buy anything that is scratched, stained or smelly.

[Thrift Shop Romantic]

Yup, undergarments of any kind (there's this bin of slips and other things in the one Goodwill that I KNOW probably has nice vintage handkerchiefs in it, but I just can't bring myself to look through there... it is somehow questionable....)

Anything I know I could buy cheaper elsewhere... No Dollar Store stuff...

No used looking housewares.

No thrift store art that looks like it came from one of those Starving Artist sales. :-)

[Vintage PurseLover]

I agree with the majority.Underwear....unless it is in the original package.And the same goes for anything that has been worn such as bike helmets and makeup.Makeup is a no no...unless it is still sealed in the original packaging.