If you’re the type of person who always buys directly from a store, you’re missing out.  At the same time, shopping the neighborhood yard sales can lead to trouble.  When you make a purchase, you want quality at a terrific price.  When should you buy new . . . and when is there a savvier way to go?  [Read more…]

If you missed last week’s post on Part 1 in this series, click here to check it out!

Helmets

Picking up an inexpensive bicycle helmet at a yard sale may seem like a great deal at first, but the potential pitfalls negate the financial savings.

First, there’s the issue of sanitation.  A helmet – typically stored in a garage, in a basement, or even outdoors – may be rife with mold, bacteria, or insect eggs.  Plus, the previous owner likely left behind some combination of dead skin cells, hair product residue, dried sweat, skin infection, and head lice.

Second and more important, there’s the question of safety.  Older helmets may not meet current safety standards for protecting your head and neck.  Even more troubling, a helmet, which is designed to protect the wearer from a single accident only, may have been damaged beyond the point of proper functioning.  Plus, according to an article in the Health section of The New York Times, the plastic of every helmet deteriorates due to frequent exposure to sunlight and ozone.

With new, clean, undamaged helmets available online and in many stores for less than $20, there’s no reason to risk your life and health for a few dollars’ savings. [Read more…]