15 Things You Should Never Buy at a Garage Sale

Written by Colby Droscher on
A garage sale setup in a yard with various items including clothes on a rack, a stuffed bear, books, a red grill, yellow boots, suitcases, and a sign reading "GARAGE SALE" displayed on a wooden panel.

Garage sales can be a goldmine for bargain hunters, but some deals just aren’t worth the risk. Sure, that vintage lamp or gently used bookshelf might be a steal, but certain items are better left untouched. From safety hazards to hygiene nightmares, here are 15 things you should never buy secondhand at a garage sale, no matter how good the price looks.

1. Mattresses and Pillows

Mattresses, a bicycle, and broken furniture are piled against a dumpster on a sidewalk. Bags and wooden pieces are scattered nearby, indicating discarded household items.
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Used mattresses and pillows often contain dust mites, bacteria, and even bed bugs. Even if they look clean, you never know their history, and professional cleaning can cost more than buying new. If you’ve found a deal that’s too good to pass up, or you’re just set on buying a mattress secondhand, learn how to check for bed bugs. It will save you a lot of time, money, and stress.

2. Upholstered Furniture

Outdoor scene with a pile of discarded furniture and items, including a tufted armchair, a white dining chair, a blue cooler, and various cushions. Green trees in the background add contrast to the cluttered foreground.
James Jenkins/iStock

Couches, chairs, and other upholstered items often have mold, dust, and even pests lurking below the surface. Even if the item looks clean, deep-set odors and allergens can be nearly impossible to remove. Almost everyone with pet allergies has a story of getting a secondhand couch or chair home just to start having a reaction. It’s just not worth it.

3. Cribs and Baby Gear

A vintage baby stroller with a blue fabric canopy and worn wheels is parked on a gray concrete floor. To the right is a small white cabinet with a decorative plate on top.
Hanne Kobaek/iStock

Something to consider is that older cribs, strollers, and baby seats may not meet current safety regulations. Many have been recalled due to design flaws or hazards, making them unsafe. If you’re determined to buy these items secondhand, or if you found a deal that’s just too good to ignore, consider pulling out your phone and doing a quick search to see if there are any recalls or safety concerns about the product.

4. Older Electric Kitchen Appliances

A cluttered pile of various electronic items, including a kettle, remote controls, a mouse, a hairdryer, tangled cables, chargers, and other small appliances, all placed on a white surface.
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While the nostalgia of a vintage appliance may be appealing visually, they can be downright dangerous. The wiring and heating elements can wear out and become faulty and a hazard.

5. Power Tools

Outdoor market stall with various tools, boots, and appliances displayed on a table. Items include a yellow chainsaw, black rubber boots, a vacuum cleaner, and boxed electronics. A yellow van is parked in the background.
Gilles_Paire/iStock

Similar to Kitchen Appliances, the wiring in old power tools can become faulty over time. Buying them secondhand can be risky even if they look like they’re in good shape.

6. Non-Stick Cookware

A scratched black frying pan on a wooden surface, accompanied by a wooden spatula and a metal slotted spatula. The pan shows signs of wear with visible scratches on its surface.
Maliflower73/iStock

Non-stick pots and pans are made with some pretty gnarly chemicals. Over time, and especially if the non-stick surface is scratched, those chemicals can be released into your food and are a huge safety hazard. When buying cookware secondhand, look for stainless steel or cast iron.

7. Used Shoes

A variety of shoes, including black, brown, and tan dress shoes, suede loafers, and a pair of sneakers, are piled on a surface. The shoes are in different styles and conditions, some stuffed with paper.
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Shoes conform to the wearer’s feet over time, making them less supportive and comfortable for someone new to start wearing them secondhand. Bacteria and odors are also a concern, especially with running shoes.

8. Stuffed Animals and Plush Toys

A variety of plush toys are displayed on a circular mat on the ground. The collection includes teddy bears and colorful stuffed animals, with storage bins in the background. The setup is outdoors on a patch of grass and dirt.
Beeldbewerking/iStock

Plush toys are difficult to clean thoroughly and can harbor dust mites or bed bugs. For families with small children, the risk of hidden germs makes them a bad buy.

9. Personal Care Items (Makeup, Hairbrushes, Razors)

A cluttered assortment of makeup items including lipsticks, eyeshadows, brushes, foundation, and nail polish in various shades of pink and neutral tones, displayed on a wooden surface.
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Used beauty and grooming tools can spread bacteria, fungi, or even lice. Many also have expiration dates, making them ineffective or unsafe over time. Things like combs can be sanitized, but it’s best just to buy these items new.

10. Bicycles and Scooters

A variety of items are displayed on a sidewalk: a pink bicycle with a wicker basket, two round mirrors leaning against it, a wooden chair with a stack of plates, shutters, and a clothing rack. Brick building and greenery are in the background.
Rini Kools/iStock

Bikes and scooters from garage sales often have worn-out brakes, weak frames, or missing parts. If they haven’t been properly maintained, they can be dangerous to use. Consider taking any secondhand purchases to a bike shop to have them tuned up and checked out before riding.

11. Old Cameras and Lenses

A cluttered assortment of vintage cameras and lenses, including brands like Nikon, Canon, and Minolta. The equipment is piled together, showing signs of age and wear, with some pieces partially obscured.
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Dust buildup, damaged internal components, and outdated technology make many secondhand cameras unreliable. While there are a lot of great deals you can find, there are a lot of issues that you won’t be able to see until you get a roll of film developed or try transferring the photos to your computer (in the case of digital cameras). If you find something you just can’t pass up, take it to a camera shop and have it inspected and cleaned.

12. DVDs, VHS Tapes, and CDs

A scratched compact disc with rainbow reflections on its surface, showing circular patterns and multiple visible scratches across the disc. The central area is unmarked, typical of CD designs.
claudiodivizia/iStock

Many secondhand DVDs and CDs are scratched and no longer play properly. VHS tapes degrade over time, and even if they work, many people no longer have a VCR to play them. If you find something you just can’t pass up, give it a good thorough inspection.

13. Board Games and Puzzles

People browsing items at a street garage sale on a sunny day. Boxes of toys and miscellaneous goods are spread on tables and the sidewalk. Houses are visible in the background, and shoppers carry bags and backpacks.
PaulMcKinnon/iStock

Games and puzzles often have missing pieces after years of use by the original owner. With board games, it might be easier to determine whether or not all the pieces are there, and it’s next to impossible to tell for puzzles. If you roll the dice on buying these secondhand, make sure you get a good price for your gamble.

14. Underwear and Swimwear

An open suitcase filled with colorful clothing, including a white and pink bikini top, lays on wooden planks outdoors. The clothing appears disorganized, with bright fabrics and various garments visible.
Kanawa_Studio/iStock

Hygiene concerns make these items a poor choice for secondhand shopping. Even if they look unused, there’s no way to verify how clear or safe they are to wear.

15. Electronics

A collection of various used kitchenware items, including pots, pans, and a red saucepan with a lid, surround an old video game console. Two decorative hookahs and a cardboard box are also visible among the items.
3yephotography/iStock

Unless you can plug in the device and properly test it before you buy it, secondhand electronics are a big gamble.