"Is it junk or a keeper? The whys and how's of buying someone else's stuff.

Kitchenware

Why Buy Secondhand: Stock up on basics — colanders, casseroles, cooking utensils, glass or metal food containers, aluminum measuring cups — that have stood the test of time and save money, too.
Expect to Pay: $1 for a muffin tin to $10 for a casserole.
What to Consider: Make sure metal utensils and containers are not rusted. Ask the seller about an item's history. In New York City, tag-sale shopper Anne Colley bought a water pitcher that was supposedly used in the house of the president of Columbia University when Dwight D. Eisenhower held that office.

Books

Why Buy Secondhand: You can't dog-ear or scribble notes in library books. And yard sales have even better bargains than used-book stores. "I found a classic for a dollar," says Colley, who bought a copy of Joy of Cooking (now $30 retail) at a Connecticut tag sale.
Expect to Pay: Nothing (for some paperbacks) to $5.
What to Consider: Check if there's a giveaway pile of free books. "When I'm out of reading material, I grab some paperbacks from tag sales," says Sarah Stray, a shopper from Chicago.

Bowls

Why Buy Secondhand: You can find everything from classic 50s Pyrex nesting bowls to 19th-century yellowware. These sturdy bowls are enduring favorites, and many styles are no longer made. When it comes time for holiday baking, you can never have too many mixing bowls.
Expect to Pay: $1 to $50 for ceramic and glass bowls.
What to Consider: Before buying a ceramic bowl, tap it with a fingernail to test for cracks you may not be able to see. If you hear a clear ring (like a bell), the bowl does not have any cracks. A chip won't compromise durability, but a crack may.

Wooden Frames

Why Buy Secondhand: Quality wooden frames — plain or embellished with designs — are available at large savings compared with framing-shop prices. Try a new use for a frame without glass: Create a bulletin board by mounting a piece of cork in it.
Expect to Pay: $1 to $15.
What to Consider: A certain amount of wear and tear can add an antique appeal to a frame, but avoid ones that are cracked or splintered. If the frame is in good condition but the surface is smudged and dirty, paint it with a bright color for a fresh look.

Glasses

Why Buy Secondhand:
You start with a cabinetful, but the supply often runs short. Pick up extras so there will always be enough for guests. "I just buy mismatched wineglasses, because someone inevitably breaks one," says Fran Heaney, a shopper in Chatham, New York.
Expect to Pay: 25 cents to $2 each.
What to Consider: Inspect each glass for chips and cracks. Since you can find plain, inexpensive wineglasses at retail stores, look to tag sales for unusual ones. You don't have to buy sets: When each individual glass has its own charm, you can mix and match.

Jars

Why Buy Secondhand: Mason jars and apothecary jars are still sold in stores, but they often cost more. And in stores, you rarely come across authentic designs, like turquoise blue Mason jars or apothecary jars with glass lids.
Expect to Pay: $5 for a dozen Mason jars to $20 for a vintage apothecary jar.
What to Consider: You'll get a better bargain if you buy in multiples. If the jar has a wide mouth, you can place a votive inside to make a lantern. Organize anything small — screws, nails, sugar packets, paper clips — in these transparent containers. Look for jars that come with lids.

Lamps

Why Buy Secondhand: "It's tough to find a unique lamp at retail," says Denise Shapiro, who shops and organizes tag sales in upstate New York. Most lamps need only a new shade for an instant update.
Expect to Pay: $3 to $40 for a table lamp.
What to Consider: Don't be deterred from buying a great lamp that doesn't work. You can easily rewire it with a Make-A-Lamp Kit ($7, Home Depot, www.homedepot.com for store locations). Replace a missing harp for about $3 at hardware and lighting stores.

Vases

Why Buy Secondhand: Get the real thing for less: Many new vases are fashioned after vintage designs.
Expect to Pay: $1 for a bud vase to $30 for a large vase.
What to Consider: Imagine how the vase will look when displayed empty. A row of ceramic vases on a table or a shelf can be decorative even without cut flowers.

Planters

Why Buy Secondhand: Terra-cotta and other unglazed pots get better with age. The planters often develop a mossy finish or a white residue that gives them a beautiful aged patina.
Expect to Pay: 50 cents for a terra-cotta pot to $20 for a glazed ceramic planter.
What to Consider: Perform the same test you use for ceramic bowls: Before buying, tap the pot with a fingernail to check for hairline cracks. If you hear a clear ring, the pot is sound. Planters will leak if they're cracked. Small glazed ceramic planters without drainage holes can double as vases.

Tablecloths

Why Buy Secondhand: Linen tablecloths or cotton tablecloths with detailing can be had for a fraction of what you'd pay for new ones. You won't despair over a tomato-sauce spill when you've spent only a few dollars on the cloth.
Expect to Pay: $1 to $25 each.
What to Consider: Open up the cloth to check for stains. If you find a piece you love that's too small for your table, use it to cover a scratched nightstand or dresser. Bypass white linen tablecloths that have turned yellow. Chances are, you won't be able to get them white."