7 used items that you should never buy or sell

There is a huge market for used technology and gadgets. From phones to wearables to game consoles, softly owned tech products are a quick and easy way to make money if you sell or save money if you are the buyer. For example, selling a used hard drive is not something we would recommend simply because of how much personal information is left on it. The same goes for anything that goes in or on your ears. Do we need to say more?

If you're thinking of unloading some of your gear to make some extra money or buy a used electronic device instead of a new one, keep these tips in mind. There are some items that you should simply recycle or buy new ones instead. Others may be good candidates for the used market after some considerations. And we will share some of the best places to buy and sell refurbished products.

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Do not sell or buy these used electronics.

In between hygiene and safety considerations, there are some technical products and devices that are best kept out of the online stores. Either they don't get a high selling price, are not good value merchandise, or should be avoided because of the ick factor alone. There are, of course, some exceptions – more on that later.

Earbuds : AirPods Pixel Buds and Galaxy Buds all live in your ears. Pretty deep in there too. Need I say more? Sure, you can clean and sanitize them, but the idea of ​​putting someone else's earplugs in my ears just gives me the creeps.

Over-Ear Headphones : Cleaning over-ear headphones is no easy task. For example, the ear pads can absorb sweat or develop crusts of dead skin and grease from your face. Most models have no way to exchange the earcups. The same goes for the headband. The idea of ​​wearing headphones covered in your own sweat, dandruff and scents is one thing, but wearing something covered in the details of an utter stranger? No thank you.

Portable Hard Drives : External drives are often used to back up your computer or as an easy way to lug around important documents. Unless you know the drive thoroughly and correctly when you are ready to sell it, you risk disclosing personal information to the person purchasing it.

Baby Monitors : Delete this from your list for security reasons. CNET parents aren't the only ones nervous about & # 39; baby monitors & # 39; and & # 39; uses & # 39; in the same sense. Hacking incidents are known to occur with baby monitors in general. Parents may be more comfortable knowing that their newborn's device is not associated with a stranger's credentials. Checking that process on both sides can be more problematic than it's worth. One possible exception: if the item has never been opened. For example, if someone has received two as a maternity gift or wedding gift.

Some Home Smart Devices : This is another security swamp. Businesses seem to be having a hard time preventing camera and video doorbell feeds from from appearing sporadically on the wrong account (even this one) when the devices are new. We would be wary of used smart cameras or any IoT devices.

Smart Scales : There is something inherently personal about a scale that you are probably standing on before or after showering, especially one that records your weight in a linked app. It's just too much for some people, and I can't say I blame them.

Personal Hygiene Products : This should be obvious, but in case you accept that your nose and ear hair trimmers, an electric razor and an electric toothbrush are best bought new. Even with an untouched brush head, that toothbrush handle still dripped all your saliva over it. Hard pass.

solid-state drives it is possible to run reports that tell you how much the drive has been used, and in turn how much life it has left . If you are buying from a private seller, ask them how healthy the ride is. For example, you can use Samsung's Magician program to check the health of the company's drives.

Angela Lang / CNET

Fitness bands and smartwatches : wearables fall in a gray area. You can often find a lot on a used Fitbit or Apple Watch ($ 399 at Apple) but the possible downside here is that you have no idea how much use and abuse it went through. More specifically, how much usage the battery has seen. I have bought and sold Apple Watches and other wearables in the past, and I think as long as you make the purchase knowing that battery life may be an issue, or there may be scratches and other cosmetic defects be good. Buyers, make sure you get a good deal. Sellers, do your best to set expectations with a potential buyer. Take photos of scratches and dents and let them know if there is a problem with battery life.

Small Kitchen Appliances : Some people like the idea of ​​buying or selling kitchen appliances on the counter, such as toaster ovens Vitamix mixers and waffle makers . But for buyers and sellers, it's a good idea to consider a few things. For buyers, make sure it's worth the price to buy someone's used gear – the newer and less used, the more likely the engine and other mechanical parts will last. But also compare with offers for new equipment.

Sellers get a handle on those shipping costs, especially for heavier items, like, oh, a KitchenAid mixer. Make sure that the math of submitting a great article comes true. If you are selling to a local seller and can avoid shipping costs, keep that in mind.

Tyler Lizenby / CNET

Large Appliances : You never know why the person really sells their old refrigerator or dishwasher. Is it leaking? Is it running much more than it should, increasing your electricity bill? I think most of us are not smart enough to inspect a device and diagnose potential issues in minutes . I have bought used devices without a problem in the past, but I realize that is not always the case. If possible, buy a used device from a specialty store that offers some sort of short-term warranty. Sellers, if you find someone who wants to buy your washing machine or refrigerator, have a game plan to get it out of your house safely. Transferring the item is something that both parties need to coordinate.

How To Get The Best Deal When Selling Your Stuff

If you're ready to give up your old technology and gadgets, don't limit yourself to just Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace. There are plenty of reputable companies and services that are happy to pay for your carefully used items. However, you need to make sure you get the best deal possible, so look around. We have tips for finding the best deal when sells your phone Fitbit TV a Mac Amazon Echo and pretty much any other random electronic .