If you’re new to shopping second hand, it may seem overwhelming. (You barely have time to shop in a real store much less wander around looking for the perfect second hand item.) Or it may seem gross. (I mean, who wants someone else’s used jeans or couch? Ew!) But let me tell you, shopping second hand can be just as easy as going to a “real” store or as fast as clicking on Amazon. And the cost savings will absolutely shock you. Here are 25 best places to shop everything second hand (except for food because that truly would be gross).
In This Article
My Shopping Second Hand Experience
I grew up shopping garage sales, thrift shops, antique stores and Ebay as a way of life. Our family did it out of necessity and also out of fun. It was like a treasure hunt to see the coolest item for the cheapest price.
In college when everyone was complaining about the cost of textbooks, I actually made money on all my books. I would find them second hand online and then resell them at the end of the semester, usually for a profit.
And after marriage and with kids, I regularly buy most of our items second hand. (Please note, I’m not talking about food or personal care items. I do have my limits.) But clothing, furniture, appliances, home décor, kitchen gear and so much more can be found at a fraction of the cost new. And it has the added bonus of making me feel better about my consumer waste.
Please don’t get me wrong, I don’t turn my nose up at Amazon or Target by any means. I’m there with the rest of the world gettin’ my regular Amazon deliveries. But that is more for daily necessities rather than items that can be purchased used.
25 Best Places (In Person and Online) to Shop Everything Second Hand
1. Garage Sales
Best For: Everything – clothing, tools, household, kitchen, furniture, bedding, camping, toys, sports equipment, home décor, vintage and antiques
Cons: It requires time to shop sale to sale.
Best Things I’ve Found: Vitamix blender, name brand kids’ wardrobe for the whole year, DeWalt tools
Read More: Everyday Items I Buy At Garage Sales and the Actual Savings
Garage sales are my absolute, all-time favorite places to shop. You never know what you’re going to find! The downside is that you have to exercise self control because it’s extremely easy to come home with way more than you need just because everything is usually cheap.
Yes, it takes time to traipse from one sale to another, but even an hour or two per week can supply your family with kids clothing, household necessities, tools and home décor while you save hundreds or even thousands of dollars. And besides, to be honest, you would be spending time shopping for these items at a store anyway.
To help you keep track of what you need and avoid overbuying, download my free garage sale shopping list PDF HERE. It’s fully customizable and always available on your phone.
2. City Wide/Neighborhood Wide Garage Sale Events
Best For: Everything – clothing, tools, household, kitchen, furniture, bedding, camping, toys, sports equipment, home décor, vintage and antiques (same as regular garage sales)
Cons: If anything, it would be the competition from other shoppers. Go early!
City wide garage sale events get their own category because it’s a 1 – 3 day event where usually the whole town, city or neighborhood gets involved. I have a friend who doesn’t go to weekly garage sales because of the long time commitment, but she will attend the local city wide event and load up for the whole year on all the clothing her kids need. It’s much easier to get a babysitter for the day and head out to shop the plethora of deals.
Usually these are held in small to medium size towns. In larger cities, there will be neighborhood wide garage sale events. Again, city wide or neighborhood wide garage sale events are great because there are a ton of sales you can hit in one to two days.
3. Estate Sales
Best For: Antiques and vintage, Christmas décor, tools, furniture, home goods, bedding, outdoor furniture
Cons: Usually higher priced than garage sales
Estate sales are pretty awesome since it is usually a liquidation of everything an older couple or individual has owned. Yes, it’s a higher price point, but you can be assured that there is a huge selection there and less time required.
Tools are an awesome item to buy at estate sales since older men have the money to buy nice tools but haven’t really used them a ton. Antiques and vintage items (including clothing and toys) are plentiful at estate sales because they’re either collectors or have just accumulated these items over several decades. It’s a picker’s/reseller’s dream!
Estate sales can vary from really antique-y items, farm items or new furniture. Just because it’s an older couple doesn’t mean the items are all outdated.
4. Flea Markets
Best For: Vintage and antiques
Cons: Very random selection. Good flea markets have lots of picker’s there. Go before official opening time!
Some flea markets are awesome; some are quite terrible. Once you find a flea market event you like, go every time they’re open (usually monthly in the warm months). My personal favorite flea markets have a ton of good junk – meaning lots of antiques and vintage – for cheap prices. The flea markets I hate are the ones that end up being multi-level marketing booths selling new items.
If you’re wanting vintage home décor, vintage clothes or just a fun day finding what you can find, flea markets are the perfect place to go!
5. Facebook Marketplace
Best For: Everything – clothing, tools, household, kitchen, furniture, camping, toys, sports equipment, home décor, vintage and antiques, used construction materials, farm and garden items (ie fencing, plants, patio furniture)
Cons: You have to jump on good deals right away and pick it up ASAP. Also, you will have to drive to pick up the item.
A lot of people love buying on Facebook Marketplace because they don’t have to spend the time running from one garage sale to another. You can just scroll from the comfort of your home. Also, you can search for a particular item you need.
Super good deals are plentiful, but you need to browse often as these don’t last long at all! You need to message and be willing to pick items up right away if the item is super popular and a great price.
You can find regular items like clothing, home décor and furniture at a fraction of the cost. And, yes, you can find clean, barely used couches on there for a steal. If buying used furniture scares you, just look it over very closely before closing the deal – inside zippered cushions, underneath, in corners.
We have always furnished our entire house with used items (everything except mattresses) and have never had a problem. Just keep in mind the area of town (yes, you must be judgey in this situation).
6. Facebook Selling Group Pages
Best For: Everything – clothing, tools, household, kitchen, furniture, camping, toys, sports equipment, home décor, vintage and antiques, used construction materials, farm and garden items (ie fencing, plants, patio furniture)
Cons: Pretty random selection and not able to search specific items as well
I put Facebook group selling pages separately because they are pretty different than Facebook Marketplace. It is a local group that you need to join that lists items and garage sales. The selection is not as great as Marketplace since it is limited to a certain town or small region. You can find some good items listed, and the prices are generally really cheap.
Make sure you selected “get notifications” from these groups so you can keep on top of what is listed.
7. Equip Bid Online Estate Sales
(An online estate sale with local pick up)
Best For: (Whole house liquidations) Antiques and vintage pieces, Christmas décor, tools, furniture, household items, bedding, outdoor furniture, sports memorabilia, art, collectibles
Cons: Auction style, so you can be easily outbid. All sales final; sometimes hard to see damage. Auction site adds a fee on top of your bid amount (usually 15 – 18%).
Some companies choose to hold estate sale liquidations online. These are a very different way of buying items but can be extremely useful if you’re limited on time or by job hours. It is also nice that you can simply browse photos of all items from the comfort of your home.
It is held auction style, so if you’re really interested in something, you need to keep on top of it as the auction draws to a close. You can set your max bid and just leave it in hopes that you win.
Sometimes you can get items for an absolute steal of a deal. I have purchased large steel shelving units for about 10% of new price! Buuuut sometimes certain items have that one person that drives the cost up to a ridiculous amount. Don’t let it become a competition, because you can easily pay more than you want to just so you can “win.”
A few auctions offer shipping for an additional price. Most auctions are local, and you will pick up your item(s) at a scheduled time.
And beware! The companies add a fee to your winning amount (usually 15 – 18%), so you definitely need to read the fine print and add this on to your total amount.
8. EstateSales.org
(An online estate sale with local pick up)
Best For: (Whole house liquidations) Antiques and vintage, Christmas décor, tools, furniture, household items, bedding, outdoor furniture, sports memorabilia, art, collectibles
Cons: Auction style, so you can be easily outbid. All sales final; sometimes hard to see damage. Auction site adds a fee on top of your bid amount (usually 15 – 18%).
This is another online estate sale website that is handy to buy second hand items without browsing in person. You can search by item or by region. If you’re searching for an item (ie I look for vintage brass candlesticks), you can narrow it down to local pick up or companies that offer shipping.
Again, it is auction style, so you might be outbid. And companies add a fee on top of your winning bid, so be aware of how much you’re actually paying. Unless you pay for shipping, you will be required to pick up the item at a scheduled time.
9. Craigslist
Best For: Farm and garden supplies, appliances, construction material, vehicles, animals
Cons: It’s Craigslist. Beware of scams!
Oh, good ol’ Craigslist. It’s gotten a bad rap over the years and sometimes for good reason. I don’t use it a ton, but there are certain items I specifically search for on Craigslist.
Craigslist is an especially good option for buying large items. I always search from an individual seller and not a dealer. We have gotten most of our household appliances, vehicles and our two dogs from here. (Few online websites allow the sale or “adoption with a fee” of animals, so if you’re searching for pets or farm animals, this is the place to go.)
Just use your good judgement and have your spidey senses alert. Yes, there are scammers, but if you’re a reasonably thinking American, you can spot a scam pretty quickly. And take someone along with you to pick up items. But you can really find some great deals!
10. Local Thrift Stores
Best For: Clothing, books, toys, vintage, home décor
Cons: Very random selection. Go often!
I love local (not national like Goodwill) thrift stores. They are small and relatively unknown, so the items are not as picked over. They are also a lot cheaper than national thrift stores, offering very affordable prices. And you can feel better knowing that most of them are raising money for local community members in need.
The key is to go often as sometimes you won’t find anything and sometimes you’ll find a ton of great items. When I’m in a pinch for kids’ clothes, I run to the thrift store before I go buy new clothes. They almost always have at least some pajamas, play clothes or jeans for the kids.
11. Local or Nationwide Consignment Stores
Best For: Clothing for all ages, furniture
Cons: Higher priced than thrift stores
Consignment stores are different than thrift stores in that they are not usually charities. People bring their unwanted items to sell at a store…the store and the individual split the proceeds. Consignment shops will be categorized by specific items, so there will be an adult clothing consignment store, a kid clothing consignment store or a furniture consignment store.
Yes, the prices are higher than thrift stores, but the quality of items is also higher and quantity is more plentiful. You will still save money over new price and most likely be able to find what you need with not much time involved.
12. Goodwill or DAV
Best For: Clothing, shoes, household items, bedding
Cons: Higher priced thrift stores
Ok, I’ll be honest, I don’t like Goodwill or the DAV or any national “chain” thrift store. BUT, I know people who find awesome items here, so I’ll include it.
These thrift stores in my area are way overpriced for used items. But it’s still cheaper than new, so that’s the saving grace. If you go, make sure you go often. These are not one and done type of shopping as the employees are constantly putting out new items. And that’s one of the best ways to find great deals. Go Often.
13. Antique Stores
Best For: Antique home décor, vintage clothing
Cons: Random selection; higher priced than garage sales or estate sales.
Antique stores are always a fun place to browse unique items, especially with a like-minded friend and cup of coffee. And I do mean “browse” because you never know what you’ll find. But since it’s a store packed full of antiques and vintage products, I usually find a hidden gem I love and need to take home!
Yes, the prices are higher than estate or garage sales, but you can be assured of a larger selection. Make sure you have measurements in hand if you’re searching for a specific piece of furniture and a shopping list of items you’re looking for. But other than that, keep an open mind when shopping second hand at an antique store.
14. Goodwill Finds Online Store
Best For: Vintage, books, specific higher dollar deals
Cons: Limited selection
Goodwill has their own website that actually doesn’t seem all that bad! I have browsed but never purchased here. However, I am fairly impressed with what I’ve seen. If you want a specific item that’s more collectible (think vintage Pyrex or video games), check out Goodwill Finds online store. You can search by category and find items at a reasonable price.
The prices are more inline with Ebay. So, yes, you’ll pay more than garage sales or second-hand stores, but you don’t have to GO anywhere to shop. And that’s usually a win in my book.
15. Ebay
Best For: Absolutely EVERYTHING
Cons: If anything, it’s that you have to pay shipping. And newer items are just a small discount from new price.
I had a friend recently ask if Ebay was still a “thing.” I luuuuuuuuuve shopping on Ebay. So I was surprised at the question. Before making a big purchase, I search for it on Ebay. I sell on Ebay. I browse Ebay. I see millions of items being sold on Ebay. So, pretty sure Ebay is still a “thing.”
From Christmas gift toys to vacuum cleaners to all our cell phones, we get it on Ebay. Yes, you have to do research on items (especially electronics or things with motors), but if you purchase from a reputable seller, you can get awesome deals. And Ebay has a buyer protection policy, so even if you purchase a lemon, the company will back you up.
I 100% recommend checking out Ebay for just one thing you need to buy and see if you become an Ebay convert too!
16. Etsy
Best For: Vintage home décor, vintage clothing, vintage jewelry, vintage holiday decor
Cons: Higher priced than Ebay or anything local
Most people think of Etsy as a handmade seller platform, but I think of it as a vintage and antiques online platform. That’s because I’ve run a successful vintage Etsy shop since 2013 at Our Vintage Bungalow.
Etsy is such a good place to find unique vintage gifts, home décor, clothing or jewelry! Yes, it is usually a higher price range, but the quality is much higher and the selection is stellar. Etsy also has a buyer protection policy so if you do make a purchase from a horrible seller, the company will back you up.
And don’t think you will pay a premium for everything on this online marketplace. There are awesome deals to be had, especially when shops run sales around the holidays. So, next time you want a unique vintage bridal shower gift, specific home décor item or a vintage rhinestone necklace for your New Year’s Eve party, head on over to Etsy!
17. Offer Up
Best For: Everything – electronics, vintage, household, farm and garden (much like Facebook Marketplace)
Cons: Random selection
I have browsed Offer Up but have never actually purchased from there. It is basically a local online resell platform much like Facebook Marketplace. You can find vehicles, furniture, electronics…pretty much anything someone in your town or city wants to sell.
You can search for specific items or browse general categories. You will need to pick up the item locally, but this is an awesome way to get great bargains on something you need (or don’t need, I won’t judge).
18. Poshmark
Best For: Pre-loved Clothes, shoes, accessories
Cons: Higher priced than garage sales
When I need something specific for the kids and haven’t been able to find it at a garage sale (ie winter coats, shoes, snow boots), I search on Poshmark. Yes, it is higher cost than a garage sale, and I have to pay shipping, but the savings is still huge from buying new. AND I can browse and buy from home on my time.
This is a website where individuals list secondhand clothes, shoes and accessories and ship it to you. Make sure you read the full description for any defects to the item.
19. Thriftbooks
Best For: Books of all kinds
Cons: Not really any
One December, I “attended” a virtual Usborne (multi-level marketing kids’ book company) party. They have great books, and I wanted some for the kids’ Christmas gifts. The seller convinced me, and I had my online shopping cart full with 5 books.
But then I had a thought. “I’ll just jump over to Thriftbooks to see if I can find these same books used in good condition.”
And I did. And they did. And I bought all five books just for the cost of shipping from Usborne.
I felt a little bad because I’m all about people making money off of MLM parties. But I’m more about saving $60 on books for the kids.
I buy almost all our books off of Thriftbooks. Sometimes they don’t have a title I want (I can have them notify me when it becomes available). But most of the time they have what I need. I can select the condition (fair to excellent) and it’s a great way to immediately save money.
20. Abe Books
Best For: Books of all kinds
Cons: Not any
At the beginning of this post, I mentioned how I purchased nearly all my college textbooks used and then resold them after the semester for a profit. I did most of this on Abe Books. They carry so much more than textbooks, but that is mostly what I’ve purchased from them.
Abe Books is a great place to find books of all kinds for waaaaay cheaper than new price. So go check it out next time you need some reading material!
21. Rhea Lana’s Children’s Consignment Sale
Best For: Kids’ affordable clothing, toys, baby gear
Cons: Only held 1 – 2 times a year by region. Higher priced than garage sales. Costs to get in (but it’s worth it!)
I have shopped Rhea Lana’s consignment sale several times and highly recommend it. They are in person events that run 3 – 5 days. People across the city bring their gently used children and baby items to resell. But these are well organized, extremely clean events where people just load up on all the clothing, toys and baby gear their kids need for the year.
You will need to search the website to see if your area has a sale coming up. You also need to buy tickets…splurge on the early entry tickets as the great deals sell right away!
But if you need cribs, strollers, car seats, Christmas gift toys or kid and baby clothes (and so much more!) at all and are pressed for time, check out these fantastic one-stop shop sales to save yourself some serious money.
22. Kid’s Closet Connection
Best For: Kids’ clothing, toys, baby gear
Cons: Only held 1 – 2 times a year by region. Higher priced than garage sales. Costs to get in (but it’s worth it!)
Another great in person kid and baby consignment sale is Kid’s Closet Connection. They are also very well organized and picky about the quality and cleanliness of items, so you can be sure to find a quality wardrobe for your children at a fraction of the cost.
Check the map to see if you have one of these events in your area. Then grab a friend and check out the hype! But go as early as possible as the best items sell out quickly. (Or go at the end of the event for even greater discounts.)
And if you’re expecting your first baby, be sure to get high quality secondhand pieces such as baby furniture and gear at these consignment sales.
23. Habitat for Humanity ReStore
Best For: Construction materials, furniture, laminate flooring, light fixtures, appliances, sinks, toilets, anything to do with home renovation
Cons: Random selection
This is a very different kind of second hand shopping and extremely valuable since they sell very necessary items at a fraction of the new price. Individuals and construction companies donate their leftover construction items to Habitat for Humanity ReStore to benefit this charity. So you can save money AND help out a very worthy cause at the same time.
From new paint supplies to bathroom sinks, hinges, cabinets, windows, laminate flooring, and so much more, browse these awesome charity shops next time you have a reno project coming up.
24. Local Architectural Salvage Stores
Best For: Old home renovation supplies such as old trim, flooring, doors, etc
Cons: Most of the items need to be refinished
If you’re renovating an old house or wanting to add old home character to a new house, then check out an architectural salvage store near you! (Hopefully, you have one near you.) These stores are a gold mine when it comes to old home materials. They are chock full of old trim, flooring, doors, windows, sinks, tubs and tons more that add that authentic character to your house renovation.
In our farmhouse reno, we regularly search our salvage store. The prices usually are cheaper than buying new and the authentic quality is way, WAY higher. Yes, most things need to be refinished, but the store often offers restoration services (or recommends someone that does). We recently purchase two exterior doors for our farmhouse renovation. Even after paying for restoration of the doors it was more than half the cost of buying them new.
25. Local Second Hand (Refurbished) Appliance Store
Best For: Household appliances
Cons: Limited selection
Nearly everyone needs a washer and dryer, refrigerator or dishwasher, and these items can be so expensive! If you are not a fix-it type of person, buying appliances used at an estate sale or off Facebook Marketplace can be a little nerve wracking. What if it stops working in one month?!
Local second hand appliance stores are great because they are actual stores that sell used appliances that they have refurbished. Quality stores will back up their items with a guarantee, so if it quits working in a certain amount of time, you can get your money back.
Yes, they are limited in selection compared to a “real” store. But it doesn’t hurt to hop into a used appliance store to see if they have something you would like with a savings of several hundred dollars. Just ask about their guarantee and return policy.
I trust this list of 25 best places to shop everything second hand has inspired you to save money and reduce your consumer footprint while buying items you need and love! It may seem overwhelming at first if you’ve never (or rarely) bought second hand. Start small and be gracious with yourself. Everything takes a bit of learning and getting used to. Begin with one item or category and see how much fun it is!
Read More
Everyday Items I Buy At Garage Sales and the Actual Savings
15 Differences of Garage Sales vs Estate Sales
16 Estate Sale Shopping Tips to Find Best Vintage Items
45 Thrift Store Christmas Decorations
100 Budget Friendly Vintage Gift Ideas from Etsy
Where to Buy Authentic Materials for Old House Renovation (On a Budget)
Pin for Later 25 Best Places to Shop Everything Second Hand
