“Smells I like:
Smell of morning when you get up early
And the smell of the pillow before I fall asleep.
Smell of mowed grass
And dad after shaving.
Soap that costs dearly
And a car of bread in the morning.
Grain store smell
And a new car inside.” (Yehuda Atlas)
Most of us derive pleasure from tearing a rustling wrapper of a new product and knowing that we are the first to touch the item, but, with a little rummaging and classrooms (stores and legs respectively) you can find what you need at a considerable discount and get back in control of spending.
The dictionary definition of second-hand goods is: “A commodity belonging to a person or entity that is not engaged in commerce, and is offered for sale by him after he has bought it with the aim of using it himself and usually also used it in practice.”
Used goods are significantly cheaper than new goods. The seller’s double profit can get back some of the money they invested in buying the product, and the buyer earns a good quality product at a much cheaper price, moreover, sales of used goods help protect the environment and reduce the ecological footprint.
Why not pay less and get more?
You can find almost any product imaginable – electrical appliances, furniture, clothes, mobile phones, computers, books, gym memberships and even airline tickets.
The Consumer Protection Law does not apply to the sale of products by a private person, but applies only to the contract between a dealer (limited company or authorized dealer) and a private consumer, so there are no “regrets” or the possibility of canceling the purchase and getting the money back, so the goods must be checked carefully before payment.
There is no price list for the products, the price is determined according to several factors: the price of the same product when it is new, the age of the product, its condition (“as new”, never worn) – and beyond that – how much you are willing to pay. If the seller is indeed a private individual and not a trader, there is no problem bargaining. The rules for purchasing used products are similar to the rules before going shopping – conduct market research, compare prices and bargain. Check the price of similar products advertised online for sale to get general price information.
Payment – Despite our habit of pulling out a credit card and asking to pay in installments, when buying from a private person you pay in cash. Insert the purchase into the expenses section for that month.
Technological products (phones or computers) – the technology is changing / renewing rapidly. And the companies come out every year or two with a new product. A phone or laptop from one generation less than the newest costs thousands of shekels less than the same product when it is new. You can definitely skip the status icon and your browsing speed and still be up to date. The differences between a new product and a used product in the technology product category can reach more than half. It is also possible to purchase refurbished products, new products that have been on display or that have been used and renewed. These products can often also be guaranteed.
Electrical and electronic products – there is no reason to buy new products for the student apartment, and you have no need for a 3-door refrigerator. Air conditioners, washing machines and used refrigerators are sold for only a few hundred shekels, but you must take into account the costs of transportation/disassembly/assembly. Check with the seller if there is a product warranty in case of malfunction.
Cell phones – purchasing second-hand mobile phones (in stores or from friends) requires an examination: the external condition of the device, what use it was, what is the warranty status and from whom to buy. Check that there are all the necessary accessories, memory cards, headphone capacitor, etc. depending on the device.
Furniture – Don’t be intimidated by furniture that doesn’t match your dream or doesn’t fit the set you have in the dining area. You can always paint/pad to look new.
Clothes and designer clothes – A well-known saying goes: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Second-hand stores or home sales make it possible to purchase clothes from well-known brands for a few tens of shekels. Buying second-hand clothing allows you to be unique, the details you wear you probably won’t see on anyone else. Forget the shopping experience, air-conditioned measuring booths and the answer to the question “you have it in black”. Check at home in front of the closet what you need – a warm coat? A dress for the occasion? Tailored pants? Don’t be tempted by products you didn’t think you needed at home. Bring patience, cash, and check the garment carefully before purchasing: holes (moths are good friends of the old garment, stains, make sure the zipper/buttons are in working order. Never purchase underwear or a swimsuit, preferring to put it in the washing machine before putting it in your wardrobe.
It is also possible for free: Agora andHand 2– sites allow people to give away their unnecessary items for free, instead of being thrown away or left unused, to other people who are looking for them. On the site you can hand over items and request objects that others have posted. The responsibility for transporting the object rests with the recipient, so prefer a product from your area of residence, the responsibility for publishing the truth about the condition of the object rests with the advertiser. You can find electrical appliances, furniture, clothing, books and media, musical instruments and sporting goods.
Garage Sale: Although most of us live in condominiums or in a private house that lacks a garage, many families who move prefer to sell the property they have accumulated rather than move with them to their new home – furniture, decorative objects, toys and clothes. Notices about this are usually posted in the neighborhood, and the house can be furnished cheaply. Payment is in cash, it is worth haggling, there is no possibility of regretting and the transport/assembly is on the buyer.
Collaborative is that, dude. Why buy if you may ask?
Sometimes we need tools, camping equipment, animal supplies, or—not—medical equipment. Just before you spend hundreds of shekels on an object that will take up space in the house and you will hardly use it, use social projects to borrow equipment. Yad Sarah is the leader in lending medical equipment, in many cities in Israel bicycles can be borrowed, in the Florentin neighborhood of Tel Aviv there is a lending library for objects, Lendu is a social network for lending objects between friends. Be sure to return the product after use intact.
