By Tiffany Bird
The phrase 'I can''t ... I''m a student and I''m poor,' is often heard when it comes to students making purchases.
The easy solution for the desire to buy an expensive item without the necessary fund usually involves buying it used.
Students settle for used television, DVD players, furniture and even clothes.
There is a common trepidation when it comes to buying used products: am I purchasing a defective item?
To avoid the worst, reconsider buying the following items used.
A mattress
Owning used mattresses happen more with newly married students because many couple''s housing do not include beds or furniture. At the same time, it is not often that poor newly weds can afford the extra $500 or more for a nicely packaged bed for two.
Suggest the bed as a good wedding gift, or use money from wedding gifts. Do anything to own a bed as the first piece of furniture in your home.
Back in January, newspaper stories came out about the rise of bedbugs in Utah. These blood-sucking bugs can hide in ... yup, mattresses and sheets.
Mitch Bogle, physician assistant in Dr. Richard Parkinson''s office said scabies, lice and other mites like fleas and parasites sometimes can live in mattresses, but not for very long. They usually require a host to survive, such as a person sleeping on the mattress.
'Hygiene is the biggest concern and also the used mattresses don''t have the same spring, so it can be tough on your skeleton and muscle joints,' Bogle said.
For those who are looking into buying a used mattress, Bogle said make sure the store is very credible, and not just buying it from someone off the streets.
Next, laptops.
Many people will disagree saying that laptops can be bought used. However, the reason laptops may be risky to purchase used: a desktop sit safely at home on a desk, while the laptop was made to be mobile. Therefore, laptops can easily be dropped, spilt on, stepped on or stolen.
Also used laptops usually do not have a warranty with it, with the exception of refurbished laptops.
When buying a used laptop, damages can''t easily be seen through a photo on the Internet. The outside might look fine, but the inside is suffering.
Used laptops generally cost 50 percent cheaper than brand new. However, Chao Yu, then manager of AAA Computer Sales Service and Repair, said it cost more to fix laptops than desktops because of its parts.
'The key is to test it and make sure it is okay,' Yu said. 'Look for signs of abuse.'
If buying from the Internet, it is just like anything else you buy used, buy and beware, Yu said.
'Use your own judgment,' Yu said. 'Make sure they have a good return policy.'
Never buy used shoes, unless it is for a collection of famous people''s shoes.
People break their shoes in and the longer they wear them, the more their shoes form to their feet and wear out the cushion in the shoes.
'You can do it for a play or something for a short amount of time,' said Dr. Charles Sidlow, a podiatrist. 'But if your intention is to wear something that has already been broken in, you will have potential issues.'
Sidlow said the biggest problem with used shoes is fungus. Bacteria and viruses can''t live easily on inanimate objects, but fungus can hang around a little while.
Smelly feet are another concern. Although a person cannot catch smelly feet from shoes, it is just not good hygiene.
'You can''t get smelly feet, but who would want to put on a pair of smelly shoes, I don''t know,' Sidlow said.
Sidlow said Lysol and anti-fungal powders work pretty effectively in destroying bacteria and fungus in shoes, but it can make a mess.
Guys, avoid used engagement rings. How generic is that? It sends all the wrong messages if the girlfriend received an engagement ring once worn by someone else.
It is not personal, there is no sentimental value and what is the chance that the girlfriend will like the ring when the first girl didn''t?
Buying it from an actual jewelry dealer has several benefits.
A better selection, professional help, better services on repair and insurance.
'If you are going to get an engagement ring, you probably want to do it right,' said Kent Flowers with Losee Jewelers. 'So it gives you a better selection if you come in. Plus you get someone to size it, polish it and take care of it over the years.'
Rings purchased through jewelry stores come with satisfaction guaranteed. Rings purchased from someone whose girlfriend said 'no,' are not guaranteed.
'There is a lot of things that goes with the initial purchase,' Flowers said. 'Some services are not provided other than to the original purchaser.'
Finally, DVD players. You are not really saving money when you buy a DVD player used.
First of all, DVD players are cheap enough that just about anyone can buy a new one. The cost of DVD players start from $37.
Secondly, the lasers in the player can be damaged easily or wear out with time. When that happens, it is cheaper to buy a new one than to fix the old one.
'Most of the time when they are bad, it is the laser or the power supply,' said Hector Montero, an employee of TV Point that repairs electronic equipments.
Montero said the biggest problem with the power supply and the laser is when it overheats. It happens more with older models of DVD players.
Montero agreed that to replace the laser or the power supply on a DVD player costs more than to purchase a new one.
'We advise people who want to replace the laser to buy a new DVD,' Montero said.
So, the next time you shop around at a yard sale or a thrift store thinking you could save a buck or two, you may want to reconsider.
Tips for buying used items...
Check the warranty. Make sure the warranty is current and valid. You also have to check to see if it is manufactures warranty because they are usually limited and will only replace things under certain circumstances.
Return policy. It is best to buy used things that you can refund if needed to just in case you find a better deal or change your mind. Ask about the return policy and ask for specifics. After how many days, in what condition, etc.
Test things out. Try it out and make sure it works. Test every part of it.
Go with your instincts. Sometimes when you feel like it is just not right, then don''t buy it. It is better to be safe than sorry.
Cheapest doesn''t mean good quality. You can tell that some cheap stuff doesn''t last as long as the more expensive stuff. That is because quality costs. Shoes will last longer if they were made with good materials and put together wisely.
Check the trail. If you can, find out where it has been and what has happened to it. Why is the owner selling it? This works well with cars.
Use a certified salesman. Who is selling you the product? Some random Joe off the streets or a professional who knows his stuff?