What NOT to Buy at a Michigan Garage Sale

Now that the warmer weather is settling in and spring cleaning is wrapping up, that means that garage sale season in Michigan is just around the corner.

Related: STOP! Michigan Goodwills Don't Want These 19 Items

Maybe you've just cleaned and decluttered your house top to bottom and you're looking to sell. Or, maybe you're on the hunt for a hard to find item. You know what they say about one man's trash being another man's treasure...

Garage sales are the perfect place for some items. Take kids clothes, for example. Kids grow out of clothes so quickly that it's not a bad idea to pick some up at garage sales. It saves you a bunch of money and those clothes get a second life instead winding up in a landfill.

What Items to Avoid Buying at Garage Sales

However, despite the great deals, not everything is worth buying at a garage sale. Not only not worth it, but honestly, there are some things you should just flat out NOT buy because it could be dangerous.

Take a look at some of the things you should never buy from a garage sale.

Car Seats

There's a reason you can't donate car seats or buy them from places like Goodwill. That's because car seats have an expiration date. Everyday use takes a toll on car seats, and one that's been degraded is not safe. Not to mention, if that car seat was involved in a car accident, it's no longer safe to use. The risk in this case is definitely not worth the money savings.

Bicycle Helmets

Bike helmets, just like car seats, have certain safety standards. Which means, it's not a good idea to buy one used from a garage sale. The helmet could be so old that it doesn't met current safety guidelines, or it could have been involved in an accident to. This is another safety item to just buy new.

Cribs

Perhaps you're sending a theme now... Like car seats and bike helmets, cribs have to meet certain safety standards. And because safety standards change all the time, what was once a safe crib may not be one now. Not to mention the wear and tear it's already been though.

Mattresses

There are a whole bunch of reasons not to buy used mattresses, but the primary one that comes to mind is bed bugs. There's a reason why you can't donate mattresses to Goodwill.

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Cosmetics

Makeup is NEVER something that should be purchased used or from a garage sale, even if the packaging appears sealed. Makeup can harbor so many germs and bacteria, making it downright dangerous to put on your face, especially your eyes. Just buy new makeup.