What questions should I ask before buying a secondhand household item?

Ask questions that replace guesswork with details you can verify: What is the item’s condition? Are any parts missing or damaged? What are its measurements? Can the seller show the functions you care about? Have they checked whether it has been recalled?

For recall information, the CPSC recommends checking used products and directs consumers to its recall search. It also warns that broken, wobbly, or incomplete nursery furniture and durable infant products should not be sold, even if they have not been recalled. That warning is specific to those product types; it is not a complete safety checklist for every secondhand household item. [S1]

Ask for specific observations and invite the seller to describe flaws plainly. For example: “Are there scratches, stains, cracks, loose pieces, repairs, or other damage? If so, where are they and how noticeable are they?” For an item with moving or working parts, ask what has been tried and whether anything sticks, rattles, or behaves differently than expected.

If photos would help, request close-ups of the areas mentioned. Treat the answers as information to check, not a guarantee. For nursery furniture or durable infant products, take particular care with reports of wobbling, breakage, or missing parts; the CPSC says those products should not be sold even if they are not recalled. [S1]

Ask for measurements that matter to your space and use: for example, width, depth, and height for furniture, or the dimensions when an item is folded if that affects storage. Confirm what is included: named parts, attachments, instructions, or accessories you need. Do not assume a pictured accessory comes with the item; ask the seller to confirm it.

For function, request a demonstration of the ordinary functions relevant to your decision, if one is practical and appropriate. You could ask, “Could you show me how it opens and closes?” or “Can you demonstrate the controls?” A demonstration can show what happened at that moment; it does not establish future reliability or verify every function.

Here is a concise template. Replace the bracketed text with details relevant to the item:

“Hi, I’m interested in the [item and model, if known]. Could you tell me about any damage, wear, repairs, or parts that are missing? What are its [relevant measurements], and exactly what is included? If practical, could you demonstrate [specific function]? Do you know whether it has been recalled, or have you checked current recall information for its brand and model? I’d also appreciate a close-up of [area or label]. Thanks.”

A seller may not know the model or recall status. If the item’s identity is unclear, ask for identifying details, such as a visible brand or model label, and check recall information yourself before deciding. The cited CPSC guidance supports checking used products for recalls, but does not establish that a seller’s answer—or any single check—settles every concern for every product category. [S1]