Watch out for dropshipping
Dropshipping is where a seller doesn’t keep the item they are selling in stock or personally own it. The seller buys the product from a third party and then ships the item to the customer. People have started using second-hand sites to sell goods that are not second-hand.
Ways to spot dropshipping:
- Do the photos seem genuine? Do they look like stock images/taken from an Instagram account? If so, ask the seller to send additional photos, no photos – red flag!
- Are there multiple sizes and colours? Dropshippers have endless amounts of stock. Generally, someone selling their own clothes won’t have!
- How long is the shipping time? Dropshipped items generally take 2-4 weeks to receive. Bear in mind that genuine small businesses may take a while to send when handmade.
Adopt the 20x rule when buying clothes
Spot a nice pair of jeans, snazzy t-shirt or cosy jumper? Ask yourself if you’re likely to wear it 20 times? If yes then go ahead and treat yourself, if no, ask yourself if you really need it – or can you rent it instead? The magic number is 30 times when buying new but as the item has likely been worn before I feel a bit of leeway can be made with second-hand – as long as it’s rehomed when you no longer wear it.
Think in advance
The item you want might not be available when you want it so if you anticipate needing something then start searching for it in advance. I keep a list of things I need now and in the near future. This is especially important for buying gifts. I was able to avoid buying new over the festive period, but it did mean hours spent making gifts and being ultra prepared – dedication!
Don’t travel unless necessary
Have you driven miles to pick up something secondhand? Unless you are heading that way, spare a thought for the carbon and other emissions of your journey.
Opt for a greener delivery
At check out, if given the option to have the item delivered to a store instead of your home this could save the fumes emitted from driving around the streets to reach your house. Also, if you have direct contact with the seller ask for limited packaging where possible.
Check out our Second Hand September blog for more tips on buying second hand, and my fellow team member Louise’s blog on stocking up when you’re expecting a baby.
When you have to buy new
It’s inevitable we need to buy new at times so here are a few tips on buying new as sustainably as possible.
Speak to retail staff
See if your chosen retailer has offcuts, spares, returns, ex-display, and end-of-line – which they’ll sell at a discounted rate. We got ‘wonky’ wood at a DIY store for our raised planter!
Seek out the leftovers
See if the retailer has an ex-display/end-of-line range. We picked up a refurbished extractor fan with a dent in it, and lucky for us the dent made it cheaper!
Check how ethical a company is
Ethical Consumer is a reliable website (limited info available without paying for a subscription) for rating brands and products in terms of their sustainability.
My highlight
During the year we set out to improve our garden for us and wildlife. We upcycled an old bath into a pond, old pallets into furniture, a washing machine drum into a fire pit, and wood offcuts into a raised planter. We bought solar lights, plants, and metal for the planter but mostly we managed to source free and used stuff for our ‘new’ garden.
Buying nothing new was a healthy challenge, but it’s been good to take on and get my partner involved. He appreciated the money-saving aspect! I still haven’t rented anything and this is an avenue I’d like to explore more in 2023.