A second hand dealer can provide a range of different services depending on the goods they are trading in.

The expectations you may have when you walk into a small church-based second hand shop are different to those you would have when you enter a shop dedicated to one item – second hand books, for example, or original 1960s Danish furniture. Again, when you go to a second hand car dealer, there are a number of complex arrangements that need to be made before you can drive that car out of there: vehicle warranty, insurance, finance and a safety certificate all need to be in hand before you can hit the highway.

Second hand books

Second hand book shops probably offer the most services to their customers because they rely on regular repeat visits. For example if students purchase a course text from a secondhand book shop at a university they can receive a discount on the original price of the book. Book stores also offer discounts to pensioners and some even offer tea and coffee! Second hand book stores will often buy your used books from you or give you credit on them to purchase other books. This way you are literally recycling you books and giving other people the chance to read them. Apart from offering discounts and customer loyalty schemes, a second hand book store may offer social events – book readings, for example; or the operator may put aside rare items for the enthusiastic collector of first editions. A second hand book dealer will get a large volume of books through the store each week and is in a good position to find that rare Agatha Christie book you want to complete your book collection.

Second hand cars

Dealers in second hand cars have more restrictions in place than second hand book dealers: after all, they are selling you a machine that must be roadworthy and safe to drive. Second hand car dealer services can include a number of things, ranging from finance to organising insurance and warranties. Although a statutory warranty must be given with each car sold by a second hand dealer, there may be an additional service offered in the form of a particular extended warranty set up by the second hand car dealer, which you may want to accept. Dealers may also have a financial consultant attached so that they can offer you near-instant finance on a vehicle. Second hand car dealers also have links to insurance companies to ensure that you have compulsory third party vehicle insurance on your used vehicle. Finally, the second hand car dealer must make sure a safety certificate is issued with any vehicle up for sale – ask to see this, it’s all part of the service.

When buying a used vehicle you are entitled to:

• A cooling-off period which differs between states
• A statutory warranty (under normal circumstances)
• A guarantee of clear title on the vehicle
• Protection by the motor dealer’s code of conduct

Many second hand stores will deliver your purchase to your home. In general, the larger or more expensive second hand furniture stores will home deliver at certain times and only within specific distances, usually for a fee. This can be a relief if you don’t drive or your vehicle is too small to move the piece in question. Another service offered by a store may be to hold the purchased item for you until you can return to collect it. And remember that second hand dealers are always looking for new stock: they may be able to pay you for that old coffee table you don’t need… Just make sure you check what it’s worth on the internet first so you don’t let a collectible masterpiece slip through your fingers!