Gransnet forums

House and home

Secondhan bathroom suite

(61 Posts)
Antjexix Tue 26-Apr-16 09:51:18

DH and I just bought a secondhand bathroom suite for £75. It's in beautiful condition with a rolltop bath and victorian style taps. When we told a friend she was shocked,saying she could never have a secondhand suite as we don't know who's been using it. I found this a bit silly as surely we use bathrooms in hotels which have been used by other people. Do others buy a lot of secondhand stuff??

Antjexix Tue 26-Apr-16 09:55:15

Oops...that should've said secondhand...

Indinana Tue 26-Apr-16 10:04:46

I buy a lot of secondhand toys for my GC to play with when they're visiting. They're so cheap at the charity shops and little ones move on to other toys so quickly, it's really not worth paying full price. I'll only do that if I'm buying presents for them to have in their own homes.
And yes, I've always thought that being squeamish about using secondhand things is silly, when you think of hotels - we use beds, bed linen, toilets, towels etc, that have all been used by hundreds of other people!

Marmight Tue 26-Apr-16 10:24:33

I think your friend has a problem! I often buy 2nd hand stuff and a bath/loo wouldn't phase me - there is always bleach! Not so keen on using other people's pillows though. One person's rubbish is another person's gain. One of my DD's buys most of the children's toys and clothes 'used' as they only last for a matter of weeks before outgrowing and it's doing her bit for recycling. I had an embarrassment of wine and water glasses and recently rehomed them for free on my village FB page, so that made both of us happy. So, yes, I am all for 2nd/3rd/4th hand grin

Charleygirl Tue 26-Apr-16 10:49:30

It sounds like a very good bargain to me. After fitting by a plumber I doubt if you would have a bath without cleaning it first. You were very lucky. I agree, your friend has a problem.

annodomini Tue 26-Apr-16 11:08:29

Now there's an idea. I'd have a second hand bathroom suite if I could find one I really liked. After all, when we buy a house from a previous owner, we are using second-hand bathroom and kitchen fittings, unless or until we decide to replace them.

Coolgran65 Tue 26-Apr-16 11:12:08

Second hand
Pre loved
Used
Hand me downs
Recycled

Love them all.
Your friend is missing out on a lot of fun in finding the best of bargains.

ninathenana Tue 26-Apr-16 11:15:00

I'd change the loo seat as I have done when we've moved previously but otherwise I wouldn't have a problem and would be rubbing my hands at my bargain

Antjexix Tue 26-Apr-16 11:45:11

We have also bought a lot of secondhand furniture. Not because it's cheap,although that always appeals to me, but older furniture seems to be very sturdy. I would draw the line at used mattresses though. They would have to be new.

Kittye Tue 26-Apr-16 12:14:27

I agree your friend is being silly and going by the other posts on here so do others. I love buying second hand from charity shops etc. When things have been washed I can't see any problem. I have a sister in law who shudders at the thought of buying second hand yet her sisters have no problem with it. Different strokes etc!

Daddima Tue 26-Apr-16 12:27:29

I have no problem with any of the things mentioned, but I have one friend who has NEVER sat on a lavatory seat, as her mother trained her to " hover", another who takes lavatory seat covers on holiday with her, and wears flip flops in the shower, and another who keeps bed linen especially for her spare bed, as she says she could never sleep in sheets someone else had used ( even after washing!)
Strangely enough, different people use her spare bed, so she has no problem with them sharing sheets.

harrigran Tue 26-Apr-16 12:40:10

I have never bought second hand goods and would feel most uncomfortable using bathroom fittings. I never use baths in hotels but don't have a problem with beds and pillows which is strange because they are more prone to contamination.

jinglbellsfrocks Tue 26-Apr-16 14:03:15

Same as nina. Would have to change the loo seat. The rest would be fine.

Thingmajig Tue 26-Apr-16 15:59:04

What's the difference between buying your secondhand bathroom suite and inheriting a used one when you move house??? None!
Yes, change the loo seat, but otherwise I don't see a problem. smile

phoenix Tue 26-Apr-16 18:48:03

"Never use baths in hotels"???confused

annsixty Tue 26-Apr-16 19:25:28

You had me very worried there Marmight when I thought you had an embarrassment of wine. I carried on to realise my mistake. No-one can ever have too much wine.

patd Tue 26-Apr-16 19:40:29

My granddaughter has bought some beautiful secondhand furniture, my son also likes a secondhand bargain and has some lovely furniture.

M0nica Tue 26-Apr-16 19:54:18

My instinct is secondhand first and if that fails buy new. Like others, I would steer clear of secondhand pillows and mattresses.We run a small antique stall and if I acquire any cushions I always wash the covers and replace the pads with new ones. I have certainly been given and fitted second hand wash basins.

inishowen Tue 26-Apr-16 20:05:24

I love secondhand. I'll buy almost anything, as long as it can be washed.

Tizliz Tue 26-Apr-16 21:18:33

Annsixty I read it like that as well grin

rubylady Tue 26-Apr-16 23:44:03

The mattress we had when we first married was from the guy who lived next door to my grandma, only trouble was, he had died on it!

And after one particular sporty session, we broke the legs of the bed, so it ended up being supported on paint tins, oh how we started off. Our first chair was a beer crate upside down. The good days. smile

harrigran Wed 27-Apr-16 00:22:15

I don't use baths at home either phoenix because I always have a shower. I once had a problem in an old roll top bath and never fancied repeating the trauma.

Leah50 Wed 27-Apr-16 09:45:23

Nearly everything I have in my home is second-hand, from kitchen equipment to sofas. I like good quality but can't afford new so it's the obvious answer.

M0nica Wed 27-Apr-16 10:07:26

I probably could afford new, but I still prefer second-hand. DH and I love going to auctions, especially those held in church halls, so much so that we now run a small antique stall to sell the loot that has been accumulated.

DH is also a dab hand at furniture restoration. We have just acquired a 'new' dining table, a beautiful oval 1930s Georgian style with two extra leaves to extend it when needed. The surface was badly faded. The table cost £40 and the materials to restore the surface to its original state about £15 so we have a beautiful vintage, if not antique, dining table for £55.

Marelli Wed 27-Apr-16 10:18:03

I would love to receive my friend's 1930's bathroom suite when she has her new one fitted. It's all square-edges and the colour is that lovely 'Adam-green' The wash-hand basin has a crack in it, but I could live with that. smile