Is buying new worth the hit, or better to grab used and save?

Totally agree on appliances - had a similar experience with a used washer that flooded my basement. Not fun. But furniture's usually a safer bet, especially solid wood stuff. Ever tried buying used electronics though? I've had mixed luck there... TVs seem okay, but laptops and phones always feel like rolling the dice. Maybe it's about knowing what to look for or just accepting some things are better new?

I've actually had decent luck with used laptops, surprisingly. Phones, though... yeah, that's a gamble. With laptops, if you stick to business-grade models (ThinkPads, Latitudes), they're usually built tougher and easier to fix or upgrade. Bought a refurbished ThinkPad two years ago - still going strong. Phones are trickier since batteries degrade fast and repairs aren't cheap. So I guess it depends on the type of electronics and your comfort level with minor DIY fixes.

"With laptops, if you stick to business-grade models (ThinkPads, Latitudes), they're usually built tougher and easier to fix or upgrade."

Interesting point, but I've run into some mixed experiences with refurbished laptops - even the business-grade ones. Had a Latitude that seemed great at first, but within six months, the keyboard started acting up. Minor fix, sure, but it was a hassle I didn't anticipate.

Phones, surprisingly, have been smoother sailing for me. Bought a used iPhone last year, battery health at 90%, and it's still holding up pretty well. Maybe I've just been lucky? Or maybe it depends heavily on the seller and how transparent they are with battery condition and usage history.

I do wonder though, if the time and effort involved in DIY repairs offsets the savings. If you're spending weekends troubleshooting or hunting down replacement parts, are you really coming out ahead? Curious what others think about the hidden "time cost" of buying used electronics...

"I do wonder though, if the time and effort involved in DIY repairs offsets the savings."

Haha, this hits home. Reminds me of when I proudly snagged a used ThinkPad thinking I'd scored big-time savings... until I spent three weekends straight trying to fix a wonky trackpad. By the end of it, my wallet was happy, but my sanity? Not so much.

Honestly, it's all about balancing your patience and how much you value your free time. If you're someone who enjoys tinkering or troubleshooting (or at least doesn't mind it), then buying used can be pretty rewarding. But if every minor glitch sends you spiraling into frustration (guilty as charged), sometimes paying extra for peace of mind is worth it.

Phones seem less risky overall - maybe because they're simpler devices or sellers tend to be clearer about battery health and condition? Either way, I've had better luck there too.

Guess it boils down to knowing yourself: are you the DIY type who thrives on fixing stuff, or would you rather spend your weekends binge-watching Netflix instead of YouTube repair tutorials?

Haha, I feel this. I once bought a used espresso machine thinking I'd save a bundle, but after hours of YouTube tutorials and multiple Amazon orders for replacement parts, I started questioning my life choices. Sure, it worked eventually, but the hassle was real.

I do think phones are generally safer bets, though I've had mixed luck there too. Got a used phone once that looked pristine... until I realized the charging port was finicky as heck. Not a huge deal, but definitely annoying enough to make me reconsider next time.

Maybe it's also about how critical the device is to your daily life? Like, I can survive without homemade espresso (barely), but a glitchy laptop or phone can seriously mess up my workflow. Curious if anyone else finds certain devices more worth the risk than others...