One of the cleverest pieces of furniture in our house is a wooden chair that folds into step-stool, kind of a domestic version of a Transformer, though we have to provide the cool sound effects ourselves. My wife found it at Orange Street Consignment, one of a myriad of great thrift shops, consignment stores, and antique stores here in Chico.
I am getting into the habit of first thinking of second-hand stores (and yard sales, when it is convenient) when buying non-consumable items. In addition to saving money, shopping at Chico's second-hand stores supports local businesses and is both convenient and sustainable in a big way. Giving a second, third, or even fourth life to a kitchen gadget, child's toy, piece of furniture, hardware item, or article of clothing by purchasing it second-hand is, environmentally-speaking, far superior to buying the same item new. I personally keep an eye out for garden tools, colorful plates, and cotton Hawaiian t-shirts (I am partial to blue).
Many question the durability or quality of items found in second-hand stores, thinking that they would rather not purchase an item that someone else considered "junk." The truth is that the interests and needs of people are always changing, and this does not necessarily reflect poorly on the quality of the items that they no longer desire to have.
In fact, I often find many of the goods in second-hand stores to be more durable and of better craftsmanship than the equivalent item purchased new from a big box store. And even if the item is not necessarily cheaper, it will last longer. After all, if a fifty-year-old cast iron skillet or bookshelf made it this long, there is not reason why it shouldn't be able to go another couple of decades (or more). All-too-often the particle-board furniture that is commonly found at Target or Wal-Mart looses its integrity after just a single decade, if that.
Here are some tips when making a second-hand purchase:
--I find that items made of wood or metal are almost always more durable and more attractive than those made from plastic.
--Determine if there are any special care instructions for the item. If so, this is not necessarily a bad thing, as an hour's worth of maintenance once or twice a year is a good investment for an item that has the potential to last decades.
--Be wary of items with peeling paint. In addition to making a mess, this could potentially be a health concern.
--If an otherwise nice item has an odd odor, keep in mind that a good cleaning will often remedy the situation.
--If the item is destined for kitchen use, be sure to find out if it is dishwasher and microwave safe.
--Determine if the item is in good working order. If it needs a bit of repair before use, decide just how much time and energy you are ready to put into such an effort. It is easy to tighten a screw, it can be much harder to replace a part.
--Will the money from your purchase go to support a good cause? The ARC and Salvation Army thrift stores and the Habitat for Humanity Re-Store all use sales to support positive endeavors such as giving assistance to the developmentally disabled and providing other types of humanitarian aid.
--Second-hand purchases are usually not returnable, however most vendors will allow you to put an item on hold for a few hours if you need to do some cost-comparing at another store.
About Me: Jeremy wears many hats, including substitute teacher, school garden educator, hike leader, youth group advisor, Gardener's Swap Meet coordinator, husband, and father. His lifelong quests include the search for the perfect burrito, and more recently, how to sprout an avocado tree from a pit.
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