We recently discussed a whole slew of things it’s smarter to buy used than new. Aside from the fact that you’ll pay less because it’s secondhand, you can get a better deal on the item in question because you have the ability to haggle. If you’re buying something out of someone’s driveway or flea-market stall, consider any price tag a suggestion and go from there. It helps to let the current owner know you plan to take good care of the item; in a weird psychological quirk, we’re actually willing to part with things for less if we think they’re going to a good home.
If you’re buying things in bulk, sentimental value doesn’t apply, but the clout of numbers does. Big companies regularly ask for — and get — volume discounts on all sorts of things, so take a page from their playbook and ask for a break if you’re buying oodles of something.