Is it better to buy new or used sports equipment? It is a question that is often asked by people who are new to a sport or a recreational activity. Obviously, the Sporting Goods store will encourage and support new equipment. They are in the business of selling new equipment while most used sports equipment is sold by individuals or in yard sales and flea markets.

The major consideration and the one that seems to point most people in search of used equipment is cost. There is no question that most new Sporting Goods equipment is fairly expensive. Great bargains and savings can be had by those who seek out used equipment. The savings can be used for other things such as more equipment or to allow more participation in the sporting activity. On the other hand, most people are aware that no amount of money saved matters if a product does not do what it is intended to do. It is hard to imagine a tennis professional picking up a tennis racquet in a yard sale and using it in the U.S. Open.

One way to approach the question is to look at the level of experience. If you are a beginner, used equipment makes some sense. If you are experimenting with a sport or activity, used equipment might make sense. Even then, the idea of saving money is really just so that you can afford the right equipment when the time comes that you are committed to the sport and have some idea of what it is that best suits you. This approach looks at your equipment as an investment and used equipment is just something to give you an idea of what you are going to ultimately need.

Of course, the type of activity and the nature of the buyer have a lot to do with this decision. For example, if your young son is getting ready to start Little League Baseball, is it best to get him a used glove or a new one? Although he might be just getting started and unsure of what he needs, gloves are also very individual things and need to be broken in carefully by their user. A used glove might have been suited for its previous owner, but not for your boy.

There is also a great deal of variation in quality between various brands in the Sporting Goods industry. There are some low priced items of each type of sporting equipment. Most people know that a used “high quality” brand might still represent a better value than an inferior brand purchased new. It is a hard question to answer because each situation is a little bit different. Your natural instincts will tell you to find a bargain; the clerk in your Sporting Goods Store will encourage a new product. It might be best to seek out the advice of experienced players within the sport. Often they can advise you on the best way to begin. Just remember, if you grow to love the sport, sooner or later, you will be buying your own equipment and you will want it to be both new and the very best you can afford.