How to buy second hand online

Find out how to make the most of buying second hand online; a greener and cheaper choice than buying new.

Our advice on what you should consider before you buy, and what you can do if you're not happy about a purchase.

To find out more about how marketplaces such as Amazon, Preloved, Shpock and Vinted compared in our customer survey, visit the best and worst places to shop second hand online.

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Getting started with second hand

• Be wary of expensive items on sale too cheaply – they could be counterfeit, stolen or part of a scam. Read our guide to avoiding dangerous products. 
• Has the product has been subject to any recalls?  Look for product recalls on the manufacturer’s website. Electrical product recalls are also on Electrical Safety First.
• Check profiles for authenticity. Look at when the seller set up their profile, number of sales and their feedback. On Facebook Marketplace sellers should have should have friends and connections to other groups etc. On Vinted we have noticed dodgy sellers setting up with only one item for sale, no reviews and, often with a username that is a random collection of numbers and letters.
• Check images in the listings – stock images can be identified using a ‘reverse image search’ on your browser.  Stock images (usually not allowed as they will be copyrighted) should be combined with images of the actual product the seller is listing.
• Be aware that most sellers/marketplaces won't have a returns policy. The exception is Amazon Marketplace where sellers must have one. Other marketplaces will allow you to return items if they are significantly not as described (SNAD) but you may have to pay return postage. Counterfeit items should be refunded.
• Try to view local items before you buy. But make sure any viewings are arranged with personal safety in mind.
• Screenshot listings prior to purchase in case of dispute – the seller could take down or change their post.
• Who is responsible if something goes wrong? Does the site offer any kind of buyer protection or dispute resolution, or are you going to be on your own? 
• Is there buyer protection? And what does it offer? Check if there’s a time limit on making a claim and what types of purchases are eligible.

Making a second hand purchase

• Think carefully about how you pay. Debit cards, credit cards and PayPal all offer different consumer protections, though not all of these willl apply to items bought from private sellers. If you use PayPal use the 'goods and services' option as this gives you PayPal's Buyer Protection.
• Don’t agree to payments outside the marketplace, unless you have viewed an item and are sure you won't want to return it.
• Communicate only through the platform if possible. There have been instances of buyer protection offered by PayPal or the marketplaces being invalidated if you’ve had any communication outside the platform i.e. Whatsapp messages or email. 

Online marketplace problems

• You may have to try to resolve the problem with the seller first, even if you have buyer protection. If this fails the marketplace will then step in.
• You may have to pay for the return of the item to the buyer.
• If you open a dispute with the marketplace or PayPal, you can’t concurrently apply for chargeback or a refund using Section 75 – this could invalidate your claim. 
• If you pay for an item through PayPal using your card, a dispute will have to be opened through PayPal first. 
• The Consumer Rights Act says the goods you get must be as they were described to you by the seller, even if they are a private individual. This applies even with no buyer protection in place. For example, a used item shouldn't be described as new.
• However, resolving things can be tricky – if you can’t reach an agreement, you’ll have to try alternative dispute resolution or the small claims court.

What is buyer protection?

Buyer protection will normally cover you if:

• An item isn’t received
• It’s significantly not as described/doesn’t match the listing/is counterfeit
• It arrives broken, damaged or with parts missing (unless this was clear in the listing).

But the terms and conditions that different marketplaces offer can vary significantly. For example, PayPal Buyer Protection gives you up to 180 days to raise a dispute, eBay gives you 30 and Vinted only 2 days from delivery.

Which marketplaces offer buyer protection?

Amazon Marketplace, Depop, eBay and Vinted offer buyer protection as standard (with some exceptions).

Shpock offers the option of buyer protection if you press the ‘buy now’ button. You can arrange to collect yourself or arrange your own payment and then it won’t apply.

Preloved doesn’t have buyer protection as such but does offer an independent transaction platform called Trustap which is available for some product categories, but only if the buyer and seller both agree to use it.

It holds the payment from the buyer for an item securely until the package is delivered, and then the buyer has 24 hours to raise a complaint, before the money is released.

Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree and Nextdoor don’t offer any buyer protection.

If you pay with PayPal using any of these marketplaces, you may also be covered by its own buyer protection.

Items you shouldn’t buy second hand

While most products can be bought second hand, there are some it’s best to steer clear of for safety reasons.

We advise that you buy a new cot mattress for your baby if you can, and always buy new car seats for your babies and children.

The Lullaby Trust, the charity that raises awareness of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), advises that it’s safest to use a new mattress for each baby that you have. There is some evidence that using a second hand mattress might increase the risk of SIDS very slightly.

We always recommend you buy a new child car seat over pre-owned. It’s impossible to know its full history and while outwardly it might look completely fine, there could be hairline cracks or fractures that could weaken its structural integrity meaning it doesn’t protect your child in a crash.

To find out more about buying a child car seat, read our guide on the best car seats.

Similar advice applies for second hand bike or motorbike helmets.

You should also be wary of expensive tech and appliances that aren’t officially refurbished. Genuinely refurbished tech will usually come with a year’s retailer warranty. If you buy second-hand tech from a private seller you may be lucky and get a great deal but you should also be aware your consumer rights if the product is faulty are going to be very limited.

•  Find out more about your rights when buying second hand goods.

Free sites

There are plenty of great options for getting hold of items without any money changing hands. The Freecycle Network and Freegle are two of the bigger examples. Some other marketplaces have free sections on their sites.

If you want something on offer try to make sure the person giving it away has earmarked specifically for you before you go to pick it up, sometimes people can offer goods on a first come, first served basis although the platforms tend to discourage this.

More sustainable vintage or second hand buying

Whether buying second hand books, vintage clothing or furniture for your home, buying items that have already had a previous life, is better for the planet and, most likely, your wallet too.

Having said that buying second hand shouldn’t be a free pass to buy as much and as often as you like. There’s still carbon/environmental costs involved in online marketplaces – delivery being one of the biggest of these. 

But buying only what you need and choosing long-lasting and quality brands will help make your purchases even greener and slow down the fashion cycle that could be powering new purchases for those selling their goods. Buying fast fashion items, even when second hand, isn’t the greenest decision, particularly when you consider the environmentally damaging microplastics in fabrics such as polyester that continue to shed every time they are washed.

When it comes to receiving your items, of course local items that you can pick up will cut down on transport emissions but there are things to consider even when buying products that are delivered to you by courier. 

Some marketplaces such as Vinted allow buyers to choose to have items delivered to local pick up points. In cities, there’s often plenty within walking or cycling distance. Vinted’s first Climate Impact Report found that on average, PUDO (pick up drop off) deliveries reduced the emissions of a typical Vinted shipment by 62%