[Cody Dawg]

I like to scout the eBay auctions and Craigslist ads and Hoobly ads for things.

Anyone else know of any other really good sites for stuff?

I don't even know why I look on them, except that sometimes I see really great things dirt cheap. I just bought my son a brand new in-the-box toy that he's really wanted for a long time for only $50 when new it is $200. I think I should feel badly because I bought it from Craigslist and not at Target. It works perfectly, etc., it's just that she bought it and then realized that he wasn't old enough to use it (it's an electronic gadget) and she didn't want to store it.

Anyone else do the same?

[Cubeoid]

If the price and condition are great I love buying second hand goods. I once bought a pair of sneakers at a market for 20 dollars and sold them on ebay for over 200. Way to go Cubeoid!

[memento]

I sure do. Got a mint, working, eMate in the box with all SW nad accessories for $50. We just bought a $4000 antique french dining room set off eBay. Of course, they were within driving distance so we visited them and checked everything out thoroughly.

I regularly peruse ebay and just found craigslist. We have a local "want ad digest" that has a website. Do you have anything like that or a pennysaver? They will most likely have a site.

[Cody Dawg]

I really like your sig, memento.



I feel guilty about it. I feel like some binge eater or something when I visit Craigslist. I'm addicted to looking at it. I'm very secretive about it - I don't want my spouse seeing that I look there or shop there.

[cjrivera]

Audiogon.com for audio equipment.

In fact, I'm in the middle of a transaction there today.

[wdlove]

I have always preferred to purchase new. Miss you Cody.

[Cody Dawg]

I like new things too.

But I have a part of me that LOVES getting something really great for a lot less.

It's like someone handing you the item - and a fistful of cash too. Especially when it comes to cars.

[pathogen]

I like getting stuff used and in good condition. I'll go out of my way to do that, so I can save some money. I have a used car, used guitar (mind you, it's 41 years old and a classic), used computer (my old one from the office when I upgraded), etc.

But there are couple of things I try to buy new and from stores.

Books from living authors. Music from young musicians and bands. And shoes.

[memento]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

I really like your sig, memento.

Danny Carey is the drummer from Tool. Very deep and moving lyrics on most of their stuff, but their last album was beyond description (IMHO). Lateralus.

[Doofy]

Not fond of buying used stuff, so only do it when absolutely required (i.e. stuff which they don't make any more).

[MightyWinnebago]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

I like to scout the eBay auctions and Craigslist ads and Hoobly ads for things.

Anyone else know of any other really good sites for stuff?

I don't even know why I look on them, except that sometimes I see really great things dirt cheap. I just bought my son a brand new in-the-box toy that he's really wanted for a long time for only $50 when new it is $200. I think I should feel badly because I bought it from Craigslist and not at Target. It works perfectly, etc., it's just that she bought it and then realized that he wasn't old enough to use it (it's an electronic gadget) and she didn't want to store it.

Anyone else do the same?

I don't buy anything new. Most new products are built poorly, and they don't last long. They're also not exclusive. I find things made in the 20s-60s have much better build quality, better style, they're cheaper, and they're way more distinctive and exclusive. Hell, I even purchased my wife's engagement ring on ebay.

[andi*pandi]

I've got nothing against ebay or craigslist, or freecycle for that matter... I just don't have the patience for a lot of searching. ebay has a decent search so I use that most, for kids clothes, new and used, and other stuff I don't think I'd be able to find/get to a store for.

just about to do my first craigslist sale... if I'd thought ahead I would have bought there too, but thought I could sell the old item to the shop where I bought my new item.

[wallinbl]

Originally Posted by Cody Dawg

I just bought my son a brand new in-the-box toy that he's really wanted for a long time for only $50 when new it is $200. I think I should feel badly because I bought it from Craigslist and not at Target.

Ahh, yes. Consumerism has gotten to you. Are you giving your son something he wants? Yes. Are you giving him something in a condition that you wouldn't be happy with for yourself? No.

You don't have anything to feel guilty about. The purpose of a gift isn't to incur a cost to yourself, it's to give the other person something that they will be happy to receive. If you got a good deal, you could use it as an opportunity to give something else to your son, be it a physical item or a $150 contribution to his college fund.

[MightyWinnebago]

That's the other reason I enjoy getting used things: It ****s up consumerism.

[Mastrap]

What about cars? All of my cars have been used/pre-owned etc. That might have something to do with me liking classic cars of course, but I would never buy a new car in any case. You lose 30% of the purchase price the second you drive off the forecourt.

[MightyWinnebago]

Originally Posted by Mastrap

What about cars? All of my cars have been used/pre-owned etc. That might have something to do with me liking classic cars of course, but I would never buy a new car in any case. You lose 30% of the purchase price the second you drive off the forecourt.

Exactly. Plus for the price of a new boring car you can get a used sweet car for less than half the price.

[wdlove]

I like purchasing items at a discount.

[cjrivera]

Originally Posted by MightyWinnebago

That's the other reason I enjoy getting used things: It ****s up consumerism.

Buying used things is great if you're looking to save money, to "screw big businesses out of a dollar", or whatever reason you may have, but I don't see how it "****s up consumerism".

If consumerism is "the theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically desirable" (per Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary) , wouldn't refusing to buy anything (new or used) actually be anti-consumerism?

[pathogen]

Originally Posted by MightyWinnebago

That's the other reason I enjoy getting used things: It ****s up consumerism.

That's ridiculous.

The only good reason to do it is to save money for yourself and consider yourself "recycling" on a personal level. Not enough people buy things used to have it make a huge impact on anything but cars and books.

[KeriVit]

Used just gets rid of that depreciation.... speaking of that... anyone need a snowblower, chainsaw, freezer, etc? I'm movin! Soorrryyy... BOT

[black bear theory]

Originally Posted by MightyWinnebago

That's the other reason I enjoy getting used things: It ****s up consumerism.

but with the name mighty winnebago, i'm not sure.

the only thing i buy new are macs, and the last one was in '99?

[MightyWinnebago]

Originally Posted by cjrivera

Buying used things is great if you're looking to save money, to "screw big businesses out of a dollar", or whatever reason you may have, but I don't see how it "****s up consumerism".

If consumerism is "the theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically desirable" (per Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary) , wouldn't refusing to buy anything (new or used) actually be anti-consumerism?

Sorta. But to me consumerism is kinda the reasoning that most people have to constantly buy new stuff. I don't buy stuff that often. And when I do, I try to get it used first, or not from a big store. Seems to me I'm not supporting hte conglomerates that push consumerism on everybody, so by that rational I'm helping to not 'enforce' consumerism, because the small businesses I do spend money on don't advertise on TV, stuff like that.

[MightyWinnebago]

Originally Posted by pathogen

That's ridiculous.

The only good reason to do it is to save money for yourself and consider yourself "recycling" on a personal level. Not enough people buy things used to have it make a huge impact on anything but cars and books.

I don't know. I've probably spent thousands of dollars on used goods that I would have had to have spent twice that to get everything new. >shrug<

[Cody Dawg]

wallinbl
Are you giving your son something he wants? Yes. Are you giving him something in a condition that you wouldn't be happy with for yourself? No.

You don't have anything to feel guilty about. The purpose of a gift isn't to incur a cost to yourself, it's to give the other person something that they will be happy to receive. If you got a good deal, you could use it as an opportunity to give something else to your son, be it a physical item or a $150 contribution to his college fund.

Thanks! That was a GREAT post!

[andi*pandi]

Originally Posted by KeriVit

Used just gets rid of that depreciation.... speaking of that... anyone need a snowblower, chainsaw, freezer, etc? I'm movin! Soorrryyy... BOT

hmm, what kind of chainsaw? what else ya got?

[Cody Dawg]

Yeah, let's start a MacNNList.org can we? Of course there will be a Mac column first and foremost.

[KeriVit]

Originally Posted by andi*pandi

hmm, what kind of chainsaw? what else ya got?

I wish U could list and sell. Currently there is a pile of stuff for goodwill or Salvation Army...

but plenty of of sellable as well..


BTW
The chainsaw is a Poulan Wild Thing, used once.

[Xeo]

I don't mind buying used so long as I can return it if there's a problem. I usually end up buying refurb stuff online to save on the price. I prefer new, of course, but sometimes used will do. I recently bought a video card from a guy and it works perfectly well. He was just selling cause he bought a spiffy one and wanted to get rid of the less-than-spiffy one.