If Same Price, Buy Used, or Directly from Maker?

(I believe that "the small things are really the big things", so this may seem odd to some but it is a topic worthy of pondering to me! )

If a product (in my case a textbook for my daughter, but insert anything here) is available used, and used is listed for the same price as the author/publisher/artisan personally offers it new, is there a more ethical choice between the two, or are they equivalent?

Not going to stress out about it, it's just fun to think about which would be better a day or two before I make the purchase.

I buy what is cheapest though if I can buy new for the same price, I am not going to get ripped off, I am going to buy new.

Buyer Beware ...

Based on the info given … new.    My logic is that the author will receive a %.

Buy from the maker. If you think it is worth owning, you are encouraging the maker to make more of the same. That adds values for both parties in the transaction. Content creators need to eat.

And IMO the person selling used at the same price is a skunk dishonourable person.

The devil is in the details and depending on the item and how it's made I could go either way.  If it's an item where new generates more toxic gick in the world then I would always opt for used.

I suppose with a textbook the difference between new and used might not be that important. As long as it is in decent condition, a used textbook will most likely be needed for a year. If it can last that long, then there is no issue with a used one (disregarding the question of who is receiving money - author or seller).

In a grander scheme though, I choose between new and used based on "value", not "price." I can buy a new article of clothing for 100% of it's retail price knowing I should get 100% of it's lifespan in usage. When buying a used item, I try to gauge how much of it's lifespan I will get compared to its price. If I can only pay 50% of its retail price, yet get 75% of it's lifespan in usage, then that is a good value in my eyes. I'm not going to pay 50% though for a threadbare piece of clothing that only has 10% of it's lifespan left.

I like Chard's thinking about value.

For me, there are a number of variables.  For a textbook, I'd prefer new...there are occasionally corrections made without it becoming a new edition, so that's possible.  Many folks don't treat books as well as we do so that's also a factor.

It isn't always about financial capital.  After getting burned on a used vehicle, I prefer to purchase new...that way I'm getting a warranty and I know what it's been through before me.  I understand there is more embedded energy in something new but the peace of mind I get is positive for my mental health.  

A lot of older, used items are better than new items (I'm thinking tools as an example).  

Of course, if it is strictly apples to apples, and we are talking about the exact same item, someone selling the used item for the new price is being greedy.  Considering inflation, they may even be attempting to sell for more than they paid plus got use out of.  I think Douglas had an apt description for these folks.

We do purchase quite a few things used at garage sales or thrift stores.  My wife prefers clothing from thrift stores as they are definitely pre-shrunk (she finds it difficult to find things that fit her well, so gets quite grumpy when it no longer fits well after going through a wash cycle).

Rachel Lindsay wrote:(I believe that "the small things are really the big things", so this may seem odd to some but it is a topic worthy of pondering to me! )

If a product (in my case a textbook for my daughter, but insert anything here) is available used, and used is listed for the same price as the author/publisher/artisan personally offers it new, is there a more ethical choice between the two, or are they equivalent?

Not going to stress out about it, it's just fun to think about which would be better a day or two before I make the purchase.

New, directly from the publisher/owner/company, is a better deal for books. Who knows how long the used book will last. The useage it got makes a big difference in the end.