The Risks of Buying Used Garden Furniture

The same applies to garden furniture. There are retailers like us who sell premium furniture, and there are other retailers who sell items for cheaper, alongside the second-hand market.

Over the last few years, sites like Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace and eBay have flourished. With the pandemic and the ripple effect it’s had on households, these second-hand marketplaces have become the place to go for a quick, even cheaper solution.

And with these difficult circumstances, it may be tempting to spend your money on used garden furniture. However, if anything, it’s become even more paramount to spend your money wisely and on products that you can trust.

At White Stores, we believe that everyone should be able to have the opportunity to create a garden they’re proud of, and we believe that by spending that little bit more, you’ll have a garden fit for creating countless memories, rather than running the risks of buying second-hand garden furniture, some of which we’ve discussed in this blog.

Quality

When buying second-hand, you can never be truly sure of the quality of the product you’re purchasing, and it can be difficult to ascertain the brand if it’s used and if you don’t have the relevant product knowledge.

For example, with a rattan garden furniture set, the problem you could find is making a second-hand purchase but not knowing whether it’s made from HDPE rattan, if it's weatherproof or in some cases, safe to use. Whereas, buying direct, all this information would be readily available, helping you get the best quality for your money,

Therefore, it’s important to consider the quality of the item you’re looking to purchase. It’s better to wait and explore other alternatives rather than purchase a piece of cheap, unknown garden furniture which might not even last a season, let alone a year.

Condition

Usually, when you’re purchasing anything second-hand, you’re aware that there may be a difference in condition vs. how it was brand new. A lot of shops and sellers that sell second-hand goods usually list the condition, along with any faults in its description, so potential buyers are aware.

And while ‘good’ condition works for a vintage denim jacket, it’s not the same for outdoor furniture. For example, a firepit in good condition, vs. a firepit that’s brand new, is something to be mindful of.

There’s more to how a firepit is used and how it functions in relation to its condition. A brand new firepit should work with no problems, and there will be no concerns of safety or maintenance. A second-hand firepit comes with a bunch of questions, that only the person you’re purchasing it from can answer, and there’s no way of knowing if the information given to you is correct or not.

Regardless of the product, we encourage to buy brand-new from a trusted retailer even if it means saving up a bit more. However, if you’re going to buy second-hand garden furniture, then you need to do your research and buy from a trusted re-seller.

Scamming

Unfortunately, today, it’s easy to get scammed. Whether it’s a dodgy email that’s landed in your inbox, or buying from an untrusted website, there’s a risk of it happening. When purchasing from places like Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree, there’s always the possibility of being swindled.

This can come in many different shapes and forms, but the most common ways are purchasing an item, and then the seller never responds or purchasing an item, but the item is not as described alongside the seller never responding.

Buying from a trusted retailer eliminates this risk and having the ability to view the furniture in person gives you peace of mind. That way you can see the furniture, feel its quality, and test it out! But it also means if you have any issues, you have the comfort of knowing your purchase is protected, and a helpful customer experience team is on hand to help you every step of the way.