US News: "20 Things You Should Never Buy Used"

**dadipentak** · 06-11-2010, 06:56 PM

I just stumbled on to this and had to laugh: # 9 is "Digital and video cameras" and #11 is "Camera lenses".

ll_coffee_lP · 06-11-2010, 07:09 PM

While most of the stuff on this list is "no-brainer" territory...I'm surprised that I didn't see "bubble gum", "toilet paper", or "Q-Tips".

c[_]

**dadipentak** · 06-11-2010, 07:10 PM

Originally posted by ll_coffee_lP

While most of the stuff on this list is "no-brainer" territory...I'm surprised that I didn't see "bubble gum", "toilet paper", or "Q-Tips".

c[_]

Ken T · 06-11-2010, 07:39 PM

Originally posted by ll_coffee_lP

While most of the stuff on this list is "no-brainer" territory...I'm surprised that I didn't see "bubble gum", "toilet paper", or "Q-Tips".

c[_]

Hahaha

Steinback · 06-11-2010, 09:41 PM

I found a used tire to be pretty handy after having a blow out on a stretch of toll road in rural Ohio. After killing an hour getting the space saving spare on and getting instructions from AAA on how to reach the nearest small town with a garage (after being juggled from region to region a few times) I pulled in to a small shop as they where closing. For $20 I had a used tire in the correct size installed on my rim and balanced in a couple of minutes, and it held together long enough to finish my vacation and get back home.

FullertonImages · 06-12-2010, 10:52 AM

But I think that article has some sound wisdom in it. Like the fact that "digital and video cameras are likely to have been dropped and banged around." That's really useful information to me. I figured that it was possible, but I had no idea that it was likely. And thanks to that article, I now also know that a DSLR lens "directly affects the quality of your images." Thanks for sharing this great article! I'm going to go buy better lenses, and get a new camera, because mine has likely been dropped or banged around.

Zav · 06-12-2010, 11:16 AM

Originally posted by ll_coffee_lP

While most of the stuff on this list is "no-brainer" territory...I'm surprised that I didn't see "bubble gum", "toilet paper", or "Q-Tips".

c[_]

Condoms...

**ChrisPlatt** · 06-12-2010, 11:41 AM

The article states "...it's hard to tell if used tires were once part of a totaled wreck.
If they have been in an accident, they're bound to be unstable and unreliable."

I have been happy with nearly all of my used lens purchases for many years.
Maybe it's time to start considering used tires, too...

Chris

FullertonImages · 06-12-2010, 02:17 PM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

The article states "...it's hard to tell if used tires were once part of a totaled wreck.
If they have been in an accident, they're bound to be unstable and unreliable."

I have been happy with nearly all of my used lens purchases for many years.
Maybe it's time to start considering used tires, too...

Chris

That is such BS. Who wrote this article? If a car was totaled or not, has pretty much nothing to do with the well being of the tires. Tires are a very simple thing. They round, and made of rubber, and have tread on them. If the rubber isn't dry-rotted, the tread is still there and the bead surface is still smooth, then they're usable. This article reaks of amateurism and lack of knowledge or research.

kalison · 06-12-2010, 02:26 PM

Quote:

11. Camera lenses: An SLR camera lens is the most expensive part of a camera. It also directly affects the quality of your images. Any damage to the lens, however slight, will show up in your photos.

HOLD THE PRESSES! SHUT DOWN THE MARKET PLACE! NO ONE TRUST ANYONE WITH USED LENSES!

Okay, there we go.

FullertonImages · 06-12-2010, 02:37 PM

Originally posted by kalison

HOLD THE PRESSES! SHUT DOWN THE MARKET PLACE! NO ONE TRUST ANYONE WITH USED LENSES!

Okay, there we go.

I know. I don't know what my clients will do if they find out that some of my lenses are used. I'll probably start losing business.

Seriously, there's no difference between me buying a new lens and using it for a year, and then using it for another year, or someone else buying a new lens and using it for a year, and then me buying i and using it for a year. Except they'll probably treat it better in the first year than I would have.

reeftool · 06-12-2010, 03:37 PM

I would question the articile on several items. Much of this will depend on price paid for the items of course. I have bought many things he lists at garage sales. Our kids never had "new" furniture. The crib was passed around for a couple of generations. So have the car seats. I have bought tires at the junkyard. $20 vs $90. No, they won't last as long but better than driving on baldies when times are rough. As I wander around the house, almost everything is second hand. When I get rid of all my used junk, somebody like the guy who wrote this will be there to buy it because it will no longer be used but "antiques" and "collectibles".

RioRico · 06-12-2010, 06:08 PM

Marketers want us to buy new stuff. Imagine that! All old stuff is useless and/or dangerous. Clothes can't be laundered adequately -- sh!t-can them! That hat is beyond microwaving -- throw it out! That detergent/deodorant/depilatory you use isn't strong enough -- buy the new improved version! Your car is 18 months old -- time for a trade-in!! This kind of crap (the article) is just feedstock for anti-capitalist rantings and critiques.

How about, 10 THINGS YOU NEVER WANT TO BUY NEW ??

#1: An automobile, which depreciates by 50% as soon as you buy it.
#2: Diamonds, which are NEVER worth near what you've paid.
#3: Literary fiction, because it'll be in a thrift shop in 3 months.
#4: Denim jeans, because worn ones are so much more comfortable.
#5: Fashion and tech publications -- they're much funnier a year later.
#6: Antiques.
#7: Mandolins.
#8: Rattlesnakes.
#9: Bleeding-edge technology.
#10: Revealed spiritual truths.

alohadave · 06-12-2010, 09:09 PM

It's not surprising that a shopping portal would recommend against buying used items.

r0ckstarr · 06-12-2010, 11:36 PM

Originally posted by FullertonImages

That is such BS. Who wrote this article? If a car was totaled or not, has pretty much nothing to do with the well being of the tires. Tires are a very simple thing. They round, and made of rubber, and have tread on them. If the rubber isn't dry-rotted, the tread is still there and the bead surface is still smooth, then they're usable. This article reaks of amateurism and lack of knowledge or research.

Exactly! I bet the person who wrote that article doesn't even own a car.

If there's no dry-rot, it holds air, and balances well, then it's still a good tire. I've bought used tires quite a few times over the years and never had one single problem with any of them.

And one more thing...

14. Swimsuits and undergarments: This is probably a no-brainer, but it needs to be said: Do not, do not, do not buy used swimsuits or undergarments. They're worn too close to the body -- someone else's body -- to consider buying used.

Who buys used underwear?

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06-11-2010, 06:56 PM	#1
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590	US News: "20 Things You Should Never Buy Used" I just stumbled on to this and had to laugh: # 9 is "Digital and video cameras" and #11 is "Camera lenses".

06-11-2010, 07:09 PM	#2
ll_coffee_lP Inactive Account Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,972	While most of the stuff on this list is "no-brainer" territory...I'm surprised that I didn't see "bubble gum", "toilet paper", or "Q-Tips". c[_]

06-11-2010, 07:10 PM	#3
dadipentak Site Supporter Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Baltimore, Maryland Photos: Gallery Posts: 11,590 Original Poster	Originally posted by ll_coffee_lP While most of the stuff on this list is "no-brainer" territory...I'm surprised that I didn't see "bubble gum", "toilet paper", or "Q-Tips". c[_]

06-11-2010, 07:39 PM	#4
Ken T Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: California, USA Posts: 536	Originally posted by ll_coffee_lP While most of the stuff on this list is "no-brainer" territory...I'm surprised that I didn't see "bubble gum", "toilet paper", or "Q-Tips". c[_] Hahaha

06-11-2010, 09:41 PM	#5
Steinback Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: GTA, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,673	I found a used tire to be pretty handy after having a blow out on a stretch of toll road in rural Ohio. After killing an hour getting the space saving spare on and getting instructions from AAA on how to reach the nearest small town with a garage (after being juggled from region to region a few times) I pulled in to a small shop as they where closing. For $20 I had a used tire in the correct size installed on my rim and balanced in a couple of minutes, and it held together long enough to finish my vacation and get back home.

06-12-2010, 10:52 AM	#6
FullertonImages Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 883	But I think that article has some sound wisdom in it. Like the fact that "digital and video cameras are likely to have been dropped and banged around." That's really useful information to me. I figured that it was possible, but I had no idea that it was likely. And thanks to that article, I now also know that a DSLR lens "directly affects the quality of your images." Thanks for sharing this great article! I'm going to go buy better lenses, and get a new camera, because mine has likely been dropped or banged around.

06-12-2010, 11:16 AM	#7
Zav Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,371	Originally posted by ll_coffee_lP While most of the stuff on this list is "no-brainer" territory...I'm surprised that I didn't see "bubble gum", "toilet paper", or "Q-Tips". c[_] Condoms...

06-12-2010, 11:41 AM	#8
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,696	The article states "...it's hard to tell if used tires were once part of a totaled wreck. If they have been in an accident, they're bound to be unstable and unreliable." I have been happy with nearly all of my used lens purchases for many years. Maybe it's time to start considering used tires, too... Chris

06-12-2010, 02:17 PM	#9
FullertonImages Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 883	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt The article states "...it's hard to tell if used tires were once part of a totaled wreck. If they have been in an accident, they're bound to be unstable and unreliable." I have been happy with nearly all of my used lens purchases for many years. Maybe it's time to start considering used tires, too... Chris That is such BS. Who wrote this article? If a car was totaled or not, has pretty much nothing to do with the well being of the tires. Tires are a very simple thing. They round, and made of rubber, and have tread on them. If the rubber isn't dry-rotted, the tread is still there and the bead surface is still smooth, then they're usable. This article reaks of amateurism and lack of knowledge or research.

06-12-2010, 02:26 PM	#10
kalison Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Utah Posts: 376	Quote: 11. Camera lenses: An SLR camera lens is the most expensive part of a camera. It also directly affects the quality of your images. Any damage to the lens, however slight, will show up in your photos. HOLD THE PRESSES! SHUT DOWN THE MARKET PLACE! NO ONE TRUST ANYONE WITH USED LENSES! Okay, there we go.

06-12-2010, 02:37 PM	#11
FullertonImages Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Boulder, CO Posts: 883	Originally posted by kalison HOLD THE PRESSES! SHUT DOWN THE MARKET PLACE! NO ONE TRUST ANYONE WITH USED LENSES! Okay, there we go. I know. I don't know what my clients will do if they find out that some of my lenses are used. I'll probably start losing business. Seriously, there's no difference between me buying a new lens and using it for a year, and then using it for another year, or someone else buying a new lens and using it for a year, and then me buying i and using it for a year. Except they'll probably treat it better in the first year than I would have.

06-12-2010, 03:37 PM	#12
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,555	I would question the articile on several items. Much of this will depend on price paid for the items of course. I have bought many things he lists at garage sales. Our kids never had "new" furniture. The crib was passed around for a couple of generations. So have the car seats. I have bought tires at the junkyard. $20 vs $90. No, they won't last as long but better than driving on baldies when times are rough. As I wander around the house, almost everything is second hand. When I get rid of all my used junk, somebody like the guy who wrote this will be there to buy it because it will no longer be used but "antiques" and "collectibles".

06-12-2010, 06:08 PM	#13
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Marketers want us to buy new stuff. Imagine that! All old stuff is useless and/or dangerous. Clothes can't be laundered adequately -- sh!t-can them! That hat is beyond microwaving -- throw it out! That detergent/deodorant/depilatory you use isn't strong enough -- buy the new improved version! Your car is 18 months old -- time for a trade-in!! This kind of crap (the article) is just feedstock for anti-capitalist rantings and critiques. How about, 10 THINGS YOU NEVER WANT TO BUY NEW ?? #1: An automobile, which depreciates by 50% as soon as you buy it. #2: Diamonds, which are NEVER worth near what you've paid. #3: Literary fiction, because it'll be in a thrift shop in 3 months. #4: Denim jeans, because worn ones are so much more comfortable. #5: Fashion and tech publications -- they're much funnier a year later. #6: Antiques. #7: Mandolins. #8: Rattlesnakes. #9: Bleeding-edge technology. #10: Revealed spiritual truths.

06-12-2010, 09:09 PM	#14
alohadave Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Quincy, MA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,024	It's not surprising that a shopping portal would recommend against buying used items.

06-12-2010, 11:36 PM	#15
r0ckstarr Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,507	Originally posted by FullertonImages That is such BS. Who wrote this article? If a car was totaled or not, has pretty much nothing to do with the well being of the tires. Tires are a very simple thing. They round, and made of rubber, and have tread on them. If the rubber isn't dry-rotted, the tread is still there and the bead surface is still smooth, then they're usable. This article reaks of amateurism and lack of knowledge or research. Exactly! I bet the person who wrote that article doesn't even own a car. If there's no dry-rot, it holds air, and balances well, then it's still a good tire. I've bought used tires quite a few times over the years and never had one single problem with any of them. And one more thing... 14. Swimsuits and undergarments: This is probably a no-brainer, but it needs to be said: Do not, do not, do not buy used swimsuits or undergarments. They're worn too close to the body -- someone else's body -- to consider buying used. Who buys used underwear?