The Best Secondhand Sites for Men Who Know a Good Deal When They See One

6 min read

If you’re anything like our reviews team, buying new gear is a dopamine hit. But when we want to score rare grail for (relatively) cheap, we turn to our favorite secondhand sites. We’ve found clothes, some home gym equipment, and gadgets that look as good as new at a fraction of the price.

However, not all resale platforms are created equal. Some feel like a gamble (we’re looking at you, Facebook Marketplace), others have authentication pros that make sure the stuff they sell are actually legit. Scoring secondhand clothes is also a smart style move. You’ll find discontinued or vintage merch that no one else has.

For me, I’m definitely an eBay guy. It’s where I go to shop for no-longer-sold wardrobe items that I know will elevate my look in any given season. The reseller has an inventory of so many rare finds (both used and some new). The multipart authentication process ensures that buyers are receiving exactly what was described. That in itself is what makes a reseller site actually good.

But eBay is already a platform you probably know a lot about. Below, we found the best sites to score preowned clothes, fitness gear, and refurbished tech that deliver on quality without wrecking your budget.

Original Photos

High-quality photos are one of the most important factors in building trust when shopping secondhand. We’re not just talking clear, well-lit images, but also photos that show everything about a product. That includes any wears or stains if any, so that you know exactly what you’re getting. Bonus points if there’s an image of someone wearing the product, so that you can get a better idea of how it’ll fit you. The more visual detail, the better!

Details

The more detailed a listing is, the better. Buyers should expect to see comprehensive information about any product, especially in categories like fashion and technology. An item’s history, how much it has been worn or used, matters just as much as its current size and fit. For vintage clothes, you should know the year the item was manufactured. You can find this out by looking at the tags. For extra verification, check photos for sturdy seams, high-quality linings, and metal zippers (a common indicator of pre-1970s vintage).

When it comes to tech or gear, you should be looking for any signs of cosmetic damage. If you can’t tell by the image, see if anything regarding that is written in the listing. Feel free to reach out to the seller as well. It’s also good to know if the item will come in its original packaging or not. While that might not always be the deciding factor, it’s a nice added piece of assurance.

What You’re Looking For

What you’re shopping for should guide where you shop.

• Used electronics: Amazon Renewed and Walmart Restored are your best bet as they both have quality control experts to ensure the gear they sell actually work.
• Used and hard-to-find fashion: eBay, The RealReal, and StockX are great for sourcing used, vintage, and otherwise sold out new clothing. All three sites have a dedicated authentication system (whether in house or third party) to ensure quality.
• Used gear and equipment: Amazon Renewed, Like New Lululemon, and Patagonia Worn Wear are all great for used gear and equipment. All three have their own in house team to inspect and treat their gear and workout clothes.

To find the best secondhand sites, our reviews team (led by Style and Reviews Director, Christian Gollayan) gave input on their own shopping experiences, and only listed the best ones. Across the board, these are sites that have proven to take the authentication process seriously. Buyers should feel confident that the items they are receiving are legit and in the exact quality described in the listing. The sites below are trusted to provide that.

Amazon Renewed​

Amazon has a preowned section on its site (deemed Amazon Renewed), and it’s low-key stacked with solid deals. You can grab refurbished headphones, smartwatches, and even home gym gear that’s been tested and backed by a warranty. Amazon Renewed has its products inspected, tested, and cleaned by qualified suppliers to ensure they look and work like new. We’re seeing rowing machines and Garmin watches at hundreds of dollars cheaper than they normally are. The only thing that would make Amazon Renewed better would be a larger selection of workout equipment.