What Would You Buy Used?

[jiyeon]

I recently had a discussion with some friends about what types of used technology we would buy, so it spurred on my curiousity, what kind of technology would you buy used?

 

For me, I can personally buy the following used:

• PC Hardware - CPU, RAM, Motherboard (as long as it's known working), GPU (as long as it was not a mining card)
• Speakers
• Monitors

 

I'm very picky with what things I would buy and used if they were second-hand. One of the most particular items that I discussed with my friends were in-ears and keyboards, as I would find it disgusting to use those no matter how hard they would be cleaned. For keyboards, I can accept changing the keycap set as vintage keyboards are a hot thing.

 

So, what would you buy used? I've included a poll but feel free to discuss further outside of the poll.

[PlayStation 2]

...almost everything there. I think the only thing I wouldn't buy used would be headphones and mice. Hell, my laptop, monitor and my GPU are used.

[Airdragonz]

In theory, I'll buy anything used so long as it's in working condition. But if I'm shopping online without being able to test the item beforehand, I'll only go with mobile devices and laptops. 

[TVwazhere]

Definitely PC hardware. Those dont usually have lots of direct human contact and usually last a long time.

 

NO in ear headphones of any kind. 

 

Most likely not keyboards, mice or headphones. Maybe speakers, possibly Monitors.

 

Laptops, Tablets and phones are iffy, depending on specs and price (battery replaced recently?)

[Xiee]

It depends. If the source I'm getting the used part from is reliable and honest, I have no problems buying used.

[NinJake]

I'd buy speakers used for sure, but only after listening to them first. I'd not purchase a pre-owned mouse/keyboard or earphones, especially earbuds.

[XR6]

I'm fine with buying anything used (even in-ear headphones) as long as it's in good condition. It doesn't matter if it's dirty or dusty, I clean all used products I buy multiple times before using them.

 

[minibois]

Gonna have to agree with @handymanshandle here.

In terms of PC hardware, I wouldn't get a PSU or storage device second hand, but otherwise I would be alright with all the other stuff.

In terms of peripherals, unless I got a killer deal on some headphones, I would pass on second hand headphones. Mice can just be very tough to clean.. So pass.

All the other stuff (including keyboards) I would get second hand.

 

Phones tablets.. I just don't care enough about those to get 2nd hand I guess.

 

Other than the items mentioned, I also get a ton of gaming related stuff second hand, including consoles, handhelds and controllers. Typically I love taking these items apart though and cleaning them up (man, people can be dirty with their stuff..).

[Jurrunio]

If I could test it in person first (given that it's actually helpful), I'd consider it.

[Bacon soup]

17 minutes ago, sowon said:

 

So, what would you buy used?

My wife's boyfriend

[Guest]

I used to be super picky about used stuff, now it's just kind of whatever.

 

I don't do used storage though. Or used IEMs.

Used to not do used keebs, but now I will and just give it a thorough cleaning and change the keycaps.

I have a couple of pairs of second hand headphones. I sanitize them and put on new pads/headband if not leather.

Used laptops I wouldn't do mainly because I tend to not go backwards when it comes to laptops. I'd probably only do it for resale.

[vong]

Only things I wouldn't buy used unless they still have a reciept and still in the warranty period are PSU's and AIO's. Also anything that's quite expensive must have a reciept and still have warranty. I don't want to risk paying 70-80% of the rrp to have it die on me and not be able to warranty it. Nothing wrong with buying used IEM's, just buy some new tips. I can see why people don't want to buy used keyboards, mice and headphones due to hygiene reasons.

 

I used to be all about buying new/unused but that's drastically changed in the last few years.

[Praesi]

I only buy used Cars.

[Zando_]

I buy a lot of stuff new, a lot used. Always depends on my budget or what it is (for example, I can't exactly hop over to Amazon and order some DDR3 or an X58 mobo for a reasonable price if at all). I tend to buy lots of PC hardware used/refurbished, stuff like PSUs generally new though. Laptops and mobile devices I've bought used, but I generally don't like to do that unless I know the person and know how the device was treated. Macs would often be an exception. So long as they've been taken care of at least semi-decently, the mid-2012s (my favorite gen and what my daily driver for work is) just keep kicking, the fuckers don't like to break (other than the ones with faulty dGPUs but I forget whose fault that was, and the 13" and good 15" models don't have those anyways). As far as peripherals go, I'll happily buy used monitors. Keyboards and mice I've only gotten used from people I actually know (in the case of my current keeb and mouse, from cousins who I know pretty well so I'm sure the peripherals aren't all nasty). Consoles would again be the exception here, I've yoinked some Wii controllers and such because they were cheap and I needed a set of them. Also got my Wii U used, but my Switch I bought new (they don't go for much less than brand new on the used market anyways, IMO it's worth the extra $50-100 to be 100% sure of exactly what's happened to it over time). 

[orbitalbuzzsaw]

I think most of the time used hardware is at least worth looking in to. That said IMO a good middle road is Amazon Warehouse. Pretty good deals (got my Samsung Q60R for $700, 500 off the normal price, and $100 off my Switch) and they're looked over by Amazon first so there's a 95% + chance that they'll work. In terms of buying used in the sense of Craigslist/eBay, I'd buy

- CPUs (don't ususally break unless you try to)

- Motherboards (But only if it's significantly cheaper than new)

- RAM

- GPUS

- PSUs

- Monitors

Drives degrade, so you should never buy those used, unless it's part of a package deal.

 

If you're looking for a cheap laptop it might be worth looking into used ThinkPads, but I'm typing this on an XPS 15 so that's not a concern for obvious reasons

[Kenpachi1985]

I won't ever buy ANY tech used from someone else unless it is refurbished and has a guarantee on it by a trustworthy company aswell.

Risk of getting something that has hidden flaws is too high for me, also buying something from a private person includes no guarantee, so if it really happens to be a damaged product and i find out afterwards its way too much trouble and even sometimes impossible to get back my money.

[TomvanWijnen]

Lots of stuff I bought for myself or helped buying with for others is second hand (or has been given to me).

 

PC hardware: CPU, motherboard, CPU cooler, GPU, RAM, PSU. For cases I'd probably just get a new one, they are relatively cheap (unless I get them for free, of course). Storage... still unsure about that myself, I think I'd go all new here though - but free things are always welcome and can definitely take place as a lesser important drive.

 

My previous laptop was second hand, by sister's laptop is second hand, my mother's laptop is second hand. I guess that explains itself.

 

Speakers, sure. Headphones and earphones, nah. If I look at my own in ears, which are disgusting, I wouldn't dare putting those of others in my ears. Keyboards and mice I have used second hand for years though. And as for monitors... ALL of my monitors are second hand, and I own quite a few of em (I believe 10 in total).

 

Mobile devices: the iPads we use(d) are all second hand. My dad's phone is second hand as well. I have a new phone, because I wanted a proper upgrade from what I used before, and am extremely picky with how it's cared for.

 

Other products: my chair was second hand too. I believe my bed (frame) was second hand as well. Our car was nearly 13 years old when we bought it. Two of my three bikes are also second hand. I guess lots of things we buy are second hand.

[TrainFan475]

I'm rockin' a used GTX 1070, so yes, I will buy used PC hardware from a reputable source.

[Tristerin]

I would purchase used: Anything I can verify works, or is backed by something like Ebay/Paypal protection (Especially when the price is right, Bob)

I would not purchase used: prophylactic or its ilk

[drk]

I would purchase anything used if it works, the price is right and I have a need/want for it. All my computers are made from used hardware, most my furniture is repurposed and all my clothes are preloved, albeit tailored a bit. 

[dizmo]

As far as technology goes, I buy pretty much all my PC stuff used except mice and keyboards. I find the hunt more fun than buying new, and it means that my PC usually results in me making money, not spending money. Cell phones I'll buy used but in excellent condition, though it's usually a review unit that someone's selling almost immediately.

[Founders]

I'm big on selling off my old gear before it becomes completely worthless, I'd rather someone use it if I can't. I tend to stay away from used gear for myself, I'd rather pay extra to get warranty support and have peace of mind that everything is in good order. It's worth the extra upfront cost to ensure you're getting what you paid for. Just my two cents.  

[Ithanul]

As long as the item in question works and is in good condition, I will buy used hardware of a wide variety.

 

Think the last piece of hardware I bought new in a while was a DDR4 RAM kit a few years back and that was for my used 5960X.    The majority of my computer hardware and all my monitors where bought used.  Even all the cases.

[Gix7Fifty]

A house apparently.

[D.U.F.F.]

Gold, silver, jewels, collector coins and what you buy in a brothel is also "used"