How to Buy Used Items to Give as Christmas Gifts | Money

Plan ahead

Buying used items often requires more thought and preparation than buying new. So take your time to find the perfect gift. Monica Marriott-Mills, who writes about second-hand style on TikTok, starts by making a list for each person she needs to buy something for.

“I create a profile of sorts, with the things they like to do, the colors they like to wear, or if they’ve mentioned something they want, like a picture frame for their wedding day,” she says. “I write it all down on my phone and then check it when I’m at a charity or an antique store, so it keeps everything focused.”

Like many of her generation, Marriott-Mills buys 50% of her Christmas presents second-hand. According to a report from reselling app Vinted, more than half of people under 45 buy used items once a month or more, compared to 43% of all consumers.

If you’re short on time, online second-hand marketplaces like eBay, Vinted and Vestiaire Collective are a good place to start as you can browse and shop from home.

Buying used can mean being able to afford a gift that you couldn’t buy brand new. For example, someone new to sewing might appreciate a sewing machine. The new version from John Lewis starts at £135, but on eBay you can find similar models in working condition from just £10, or £45.99 for the buy-it-now price, still with the packaging.

Get up early

If you know someone is looking for homewares or electronics, look for them in charity shops, car boot sales, antique shops, flea markets and online marketplaces.

According to Marriott-Mills, a good way to get your first bargains is to find out what days deliveries are made at second-hand furniture stores. “It’s Tuesday at my local British Heart Foundation second-hand furniture store, so I try to go there first,” she says.

“I appreciate that it’s a privilege to go out first thing, but you could also go early on a Saturday or try it during your lunch break.”

If you can’t get out, many of these stores have websites.

Also look for gifts for children

On eBay, Vinted and Facebook Marketplace you can find lots of used toys – some brand new, still in their packaging – that make perfect gifts.

LOL dolls cost around £25 new, but you can find packs of dolls in great condition from £4 on eBay. If you’re looking for something a little bigger, like a play kitchen, you can find plenty on Facebook Marketplace starting at £10. Brand new they cost between £60 and £200.

However, for larger items, check the seller’s location as they are often available for collection only, otherwise shipping costs could wipe out your savings.

Filter for designer items

“You can find pages and pages of designer items on Vinted and Depop,” says Marriott-Mills. “Often people don’t even know if the gift is used.”

You can filter searches for brand new items by adding “New with Tags” to the search bar. For example, a Ralph Lauren beanie typically costs between £80 and £110 when new, but at Vinted they are available from £25 with the tags still attached.

Check for safety

If possible, try out electronics or lighting first to make sure they are safe and functional. Luke Osborne, associate technical director at Electrical Safety First, recommends performing a few simple checks, including looking for a valid safety certification label on the product.

“First, make sure the product is not subject to a recall by using the Electrical Safety First Product Checker or is listed on the OPSS product recalls and alerts webpage,” he says.

“Also, check whether the product you are purchasing comes with a three-pin UK plug, which should have a fuse. If the device comes with a foreign plug and adapter, it may not have the protection offered by a three-prong plug.”

When buying used toys, it’s important to look for loose parts or signs of damage, as well as general wear and tear. Many charity shops sell battery-operated and electric toys, but these have not always been checked. Look for obvious signs of damage, such as: B. Battery corrosion that could indicate that the item poses a safety risk. If the product looks good, check whether you can return it before purchasing so you can test it at home. Be sure to keep the receipt as you usually have 28 days.

When buying online on sites like Vinted or eBay, the seller should clearly state whether the toy is in working condition. If one arrives but doesn’t work as described, you’re usually protected by their guarantees and can get your money back.

The useful Made for Mums guide to buying used toys says it’s important to remember that some older toys may contain traces of dangerous chemicals such as chromium, selenium and lead. You should be vigilant about recalled toys, the website warns, and these can often be found with a quick Google search. There are also markings on toys that indicate safety and quality, including the lion mark and the CE mark.

It is important to disinfect toys. With soft toys, you can put them in the washing machine – but be sure to pay attention to the label. For wooden or plastic toys, wiping them with soapy water is usually enough.

Seek for fraud

Online purchases can come with the risk of fraud, but there are some strategies you can follow to avoid this. “There are many ways to check if something is real, and you should always start with reviews,” says Marriott-Mills. If a seller doesn’t have many reviews on a marketplace or they aren’t particularly good, be skeptical. If there are a lot of great reviews in the reviews, you can probably trust that you will get the item. “For designer items, you can use sites like LegitGrails that will authenticate them,” she adds.

Look for sellers who upload the original receipt along with the item as this is a good way to verify the authenticity of the item. Learning about hallmarks and engraving is another great way to verify the authenticity of jewelry and tableware. “I gave my mother a silver-plated bracelet and I know it’s real because of the 925 engraving,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to double check. “In a car trunk or an antique store, I’ll literally stand there and Google them,” she says. Depop, eBay and Vinted also offer buyer protection guarantees, which usually mean you can get your money back if the item differs significantly from the description

Present them well

Many used gifts don’t come in their original packaging, but as long as you put a little effort into wrapping them well, they’ll still look wonderful under the Christmas tree. Cardboard gift boxes make any gift look great, but before you buy one, look at what you already have at home. A carefully wrapped shoebox makes a great gift basket, and old perfume boxes make great knick-knacks or Christmas presents.