THE buying and selling of used goods has been going on from the year one - and some of the best deals around can be found by buying second-hand products.

The most important reason why anyone goes shopping for second-hand goods is the reasonable prices.

Ringo Mdoda, a personal shopper, says rare items that cannot be found elsewhere are usually found in second-hand shops.

"Second-hand shops carry a wide range of merchandise, from clothing, household goods, toys and furniture to, in some cases, electrical goods. This makes second-hand stores a one-stop shop for all ones needs."

He adds that shopping at second-hand stores was once viewed as an activity in which only the "lower classes" participated, but nowadays he does shopping at these stores for the rich and famous.

But Mdoda has the following tips:

Be sure to pay less.

"There's no point in buying something second-hand when you could just as easily have bought the item new for the same price. Do your homework and be sure you're getting a good deal." .

Things to buy:

Kitchenware, small appliances like hand mixers and blenders, plus common tools like spatulas, pots, pans, and rolling pins are often easily found at such shops, particularly items left over from an estate.

Sports equipment, exercise equipment like free weights and exercise bands and pedometers, treadmills and ellipticals, can easily be found second-hand.

Video games, used books, toys, musical instruments, gardening supplies, furniture and cars are also the best things to buy at a second-hand store.