The cost-of-living crisis is gripping the United Kingdom and costing everyday people up and down the country who are struggling to pay their bills, buy gifts for friends and families and run their businesses under the pressing circumstances.
It’s during times like these that consumers and business owners turn to second-hand or used goods to save money, and those with an eye for the pre-owned are able to get great quality for a lower price.
Feeling the Pinch
It’s official – the current cost-of-living crisis is seeing the biggest price increases since the financial crash of 2008, making essential and luxury items alike more and more expensive. What’s more, it’s not just the younger population with fewer savings which are being hit, but the retired demographic too.
Retired people are being driven back to work in a variety of jobs – ones they used to do as well as new ventures into retail and hospitality – in order to supplement their pensions and savings. With shoppers across the board feeling the pinch, sometimes only second-hand shopping can provide the affordable prices for quality items that consumers are desperate for.
Second-hand shopping
The key to second-hand shopping is to find the balance between knowing what you’re looking for and staying open-minded. For instance, somebody in the market for a new pair of jeans should focus their efforts on the trouser section of charity shops, vintage stores, or online marketplaces such as eBay, Vinted, and Depop, without restricting themselves to a single color or style.
Second-hand clothes shoppers looking for an exact item of clothing are often left disappointed, whereas those open to what their shopping experience throws at them are more likely to source a satisfying purchase.
While eBay Ads have reported a definite upturn in second-hand clothes purchasing since the cost-of-living crisis began, finding pre-owned items shouldn’t be limited to trousers, shoes, and shirts. Business owners can also look to the second-hand market to save money as already used specialist equipment, and machinery can be bought at a high standard of quality if you know where to look.
For niche and often expensive equipment such as this, using trusted dealers is recommended as paying thousands of pounds for second-hand machinery like a forklift truck, recycling balers, or a cherry picker from an unknown source could spell trouble. By using trusted dealers with an array of stock, you can consult experts on what type of equipment you’re looking for, find the item that matches your requirements, and even be provided with post-purchase maintenance if you need it. This is undoubtedly the safest and most risk-free way to make a money-saving second-hand business purchase.
The final form of second-hand shopping that consumers tightening their belts are turning to is used cars. With the rise of online buying and selling platforms for cars and motorbikes, it has never been easier to browse fully functional vehicles at a much lower price than in branded salesrooms.
Unfortunately, during this current crisis, some may find the price of fuel has put them off investing in a new vehicle for the time being. However, for essential items such as clothing and business equipment, the second-hand market is there for all to enjoy.
