21 Things You Should Never Buy New

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There seems to be quite a few types of media that should be bought used. I can usually buy used CD's for about $1-$2 each and DVD's for a little more. That all adds up after a while.
Thanks for the great info.

Jo Nobody of TX 11:44AM June 29, 2010

When I first read through this, I thought #10 was amusing...but then I started thinking about it and it kind of pisses me off. Pre-owned pets? Are you serious? If you lump your dogs and cats into the same category as your toys and books, then for their sake, I hope you don't have any.
I am completely for adopting (notice I say ADOPT , not purchase) from a local shelter, but it should be for the right reasons, not just to save money. There are a whole slew of things you need to take into consideration before adopting an adult dog. (which is what I assume you mean by PRE-OWNED.) You don't always know what kind of environment that dog was raised in, you don't know if it takes well to kids or cats and other animals, you don't know how well trained it is. A lot of animals are in shelters because they were rescued from a unhealthy environment or were abandoned by their owners for some unknown reason. They may be ill-tempered or untrained as a result and you need to be prepared to handle those issues if you decide to take them in. Also, you can easily get puppies and kittens from a shelter as well adult dogs and cats and vet bills are going to be the same regardless of whether or not you have a mutt or a pure-bred.
Animals are living, breathing things. They feel pain, joy, sadness just like humans do. They can be scared or angry or defensive as well as nurturing, loving and loyal. They are not here simply for our amusement. They are not playthings that can be cast aside when we're no longer interested in them. They are God's creatures and we should love and care for them as such. People who decide to ADOPT an animal whether it be a mutt from a shelter or a purebred from a breeder, they should do it for the right reasons because you are making a commitment to that animal. If you're not willing and able to make that commitment, if you're just looking for something to suit your fancy for the moment, save yourself even more money and buy a goldfish.

animal lover of WV 11:43AM June 29, 2010

I am sick to death of everyone that is outside of my industry telling people how my industry works... how the hell am I supposed to make a living when I read story after story after story telling people to NOT buy cars... well, let me tell you something missy la la... used car sales is one of the highest profit centers of a dealership, so go ahead, tell your readers to buy used, I'll laugh all the way to the bank... and then tell them to buy from a private party, the mechanic is going to laugh all the way to the bank... since when did making a profit become illegal in this country... go get a real job and see how you like it when some reporter tells their readers not to do business with your industry...

dan of CA 11:10AM June 29, 2010

If everyone took your advice, there would be nothing "used" to buy. ;-)
I'm just saying...

Mister Completely of MA 10:57AM June 29, 2010

If you people have any compassion in your hearts (and any intelligence) you would research and know that animals from 'pet stores' come from puppy mills and backyard breeders. They don't take care of these animals, and most are sick after you take them home. Research puppy mills. You'll see how they cage the animals their entire lives, living in their own feces. Those people are in it for only money, and that's it. Read reviews about pet stores near you. You will hear about all the sick puppies. Give shelter pets a chance .. that's the least you can do. Millions are euthanized each year, and many are gassed in the South. They are living, and feel pain. I'd hope you wouldn't want that for any animal. If you must have a pure bred, there are thousands of pure bred 'rescues' in the US. Just make sure that you do your research. Not all rescues are good, and most breeders are not reputable.

Sarah of OH 10:48AM June 29, 2010

Advising uneducated consumers to buy jewelry at a pawn shop is amazingly ignorant. Shockingly so.
Estate sales are especially dangerous places to buy expensive jewelry: The sellers rarely have the knowledge to vet the products they have been called in to sell, and the seller will disappear once the sale is concluded.
Fine jewelry may not be cheap in stores, but there are benefits to having an established relationship with an expert. Those who can afford the luxury of professional advisers rely on them.

Johnny of MO 10:32AM June 29, 2010

Buying a pet of any sort is an investment in emotions. Buying from an animal shelter is just as risky as from any other live stock vendor and can cost you far more in the long run. As "Rescue Shelters" tend to be over crowded, airborne viruses are extremely difficult to control. Parvo virus and distemper are very very common and the vet bills for those are not cheap (vaccines are still virulent until the cycle of shots is completed). Generally when you buy from a legitimate animal dealer there is a warranty to help with these sometimes unavoidable issues. Many pet animal dealers are now offering warranty insurance for things that may occur later in life such as hip-dysplasia common in many breeds and mixed breeds, the only fix for that is hip replacement. When looking for a new pet, the important factor is how well it fits into the lifestyle of the new 'parents', not the initial expense. Unless you know animals well it would be difficult for a regular person to discern between an Alpha or a Beta type dog (I have seen first hand how an Alpha can make an inexperienced family crazy). Everything else being equal, economics should be only a small part of the pet purchase.

Casualcat of FL 10:19AM June 29, 2010

Weak list. Please tell us twenty things we don't already know!

James of TX 1:18AM June 29, 2010

...you can trade in those used games and movies to recover some of the used value. Amazon has these programs available and makes it pretty easy (www.amazon.com/tradein).

MD of WA 2:00PM June 28, 2010