9 Things to Never Buy at a Yard Sale

Yard sales are a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, as you can walk away with anything from an antique cookie jar shaped like Betty Boop to a DVD copy of Forrest Gump. But for all the great deals to be had at yard sales, there are times when you should resist the urge to buy at a discounted price, even if the item appears to be in perfectly good condition. Certain offerings pose major sanitary issues, while others are a huge safety risk if a previous owner has already used them. Here are nine things to never buy at a yard sale.

Car Seats

Car seats are essential for keeping young children safe on the road, so you shouldn’t risk buying one secondhand even if everything seems in working order. Even if the device looks good to the naked eye, you never know if it’s been in a previous accident or subject to a product recall. Car seats also expire after 6 to 10 years on average, so it’s riskier if the car seat looks like an older model. It should go without saying that it’s best not to risk any child’s well-being just so that you can score a great deal.

Bike Helmets

Bike helmets generally expire every three to five years, and should never be worn again after an accident. But if you buy one at a yard sale, you can never be 100% sure about either matter and just have to take the seller’s word for it. Keeping your noggin safe while biking is essential, so buy yourself and your children a new bike helmet every time rather than risk disaster.

Makeup

Many makeup products only have a shelf life of around a year to begin with, so buying used makeup at a yard sale likely means the item’s time has come and gone. But this is also a major sanitary issue. You never know whose lips, eyes, or other sensitive body parts may have come into contact with the makeup being sold. The idea of swapping germs with a stranger should be more than enough to show why buying used makeup is a bad idea — even if the color looks really good on you.

Nonstick Pans

You’re always better off buying new nonstick cookware rather than purchasing it used. That’s because the more nonstick pans get used, the more their Teflon coating chips away. Not only does this make the pans less effective, but it also poses potential health risks. Older nonstick pans are said to contain carcinogens like Perfluorooctanoic acid. If a pan is chipped, that increases the likelihood of those carcinogens getting mixed in with any food you’re cooking.

Cribs

Buying a secondhand crib is yet another safety concern to be aware of. It’s generally said that cribs last for around 10 years — any longer than that and their structural integrity may be compromised. You can also never be sure if the crib suffered any damage over the years, but if it did, it may be less stable than a newer model. Never cut corners when it comes to the safety of young children, even if it means paying more.

Smoke Detectors

Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are essential for maintaining a safe home. That’s why it’s such a bad idea to purchase a used model without being able to test it beforehand. Never take the seller’s word that the smoke detector works just fine. If it doesn’t work, you may not know until it’s too late.

Stuffed Animals

Old stuffed animals may still look cute, but they can potentially be full of hidden mold and fleas. That’s why you should never buy any used stuffed animals unless you want to risk introducing dirt and bugs into your own home. It’s not worth cleaning any old stuffed animals either; just buy new ones and rest easily.

Mattresses

Mattresses are an ideal environment for bed bugs, but you may not realize it until it’s already too late. Even if you give the mattress a once over, you may miss a bed bug or two tucked into a crevice. Bringing a bed bug-infested mattress home will cause huge headaches for you, as you’ll need to hire a specialist to come in and fumigate your home. It’s always best to buy a new mattress to avoid this issue.

Shoes

Buying a pair of used shoes at a yard sale is a bad idea for a number of reasons. First, chances are those shoes have molded to the shape of the previous owner’s feet and may feel uncomfortable when you put them on. Also, used shoes lack enough cushioning to provide comfort. Rather than buy shoes at yard sales, try to take advantage of frequent deals at local shoe stores or online.