Used Or Previously Loved Jigsaw Puzzles

Buying Used Puzzles

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8. 9.

10. Online Stores like eBay and Amazon - be sure to shop around. Some prices are outrageous. Also if it is a "Bid" puzzle purchase then wait till right near the end to place your 'bid' then you know for sure IF you want to pay that price. When buying online, be mindful where you live. What are the shipping costs? Is there import fees at borders? Does your credit card charge extra fees for converting foreign exchange currency? For Amazon, know the difference between a company that sells through Amazon or a private individual who is selling their used puzzles - they do not qualify for Amazon free shipping and may take much longer to deliver and require additional fees. Learn how the refund policies and disputes work for major online stores. ‘Timing ’ policies for a refund are tricky. For private sellers on Facebook, Facebook Groups or Swap Facebook 'Pages ' - be sure to discuss a refund with the Seller before purchasing in case the parcel gets lost or stolen or delivered to the wrong address (it happens!) Local Thrift Stores and Charity shops often have 50% off sales certain days of the month - ask about it. Sometimes certain colour price stickers have a bonus percentage off that day. Or if you are Senior, check to see if the Shop offers a senior discounts and on which day. Look for local ADs like CraigsList or kijiji and also check local online newspapers in the Classified ADs section. Check local Antique Market and/or Stores. Don 't forget your own family members or friends who may have some puzzle tucked away they received for gifts and will never do them. Also, finding a neighbourhood garage sale could turn into a new neighbourhood ' swap puzzle pal. '

The internet has made the world so much smaller because now we can buy puzzles online or offline at brick and mortar stores. That means, IF you are willing to pay the ‘ puzzle-piper ’ you can likely manage to get a puzzle from as far away as the other side of the world. We ‘ note ’ how wonderful puzzle images are over there but they say the same thing about our Western puzzle images over here.

Where can you buy previously loved, very low priced, used jigsaw puzzles? Here ' s some ideas that won 't break your budget and some even lower than the price of coffee.

eBay - used jigsaw puzzles Local Thrift Stores Amazon - reseller jigsaw puzzles Local Charity stores Facebook Groups or Pages Local Garage Sales Facebook Personal Pages Local Car Boot Sales Facebook Swap Exchanges Pages Local newspaper classified ADs Online "CraigsList" or "kijiji" Local AD websites "CraigsList" or "Kijiji" Family, friends, neighbourhood swap Antique Market/stores

Buying Previously Loved Puzzles

Sometimes it' s worth it to purchase used jigsaw puzzles. However the jigsaw puzzle companies may not think so ;) ....however at Puzzlehobby.com we do review them and circulate the review among the social media so perhaps its a fair tradeoff?

If you are going to buy jigsaw puzzles at a Thrift store, Charity store, garage sales or yard sales here ' s a few little tips for you to reduce buying the ones that may have missing pieces;

inspect the box buy only taped/sealed boxes watch for slits/cracks/tears along the edges and bottom of boxes shake the box - if the pieces are loose the risk is bigger buy the ones where the pieces are stored in a zipped/lock or sealed bag inside buy on the 50% off days or 10% off Senior Days

Buying Used Puzzles

To take the " 50% off days

" a step further, I did this once. The night before the day of the 50% off sale, I went into that Thrift store near closing time. I scanned the puzzle on the shelves and lined up the puzzles I would purchase the next morning at 50% off.

First thing the next morning I was there at the opening moment and went directly to my selection with my shopping cart. They were all there so I simply loaded them in the cart plus I bought even more......THAT' s how my hobby collection began growing.

The best ' previously-loved' jigsaw puzzle to buy will be the new-sealed packages or ones that have the box taped and/or the puzzle pieces are sealed inside a bag in the box. That usually means the previous owner was respectful of the hobby and hoping the next hobbyist will be too.

Sometimes I will take a real chance on buying a jigsaw puzzle at the Thrift store simply because I want it for my collection. I have to admit that I have been extremely lucky at buying used ones with only 2 having a missing piece so far (as I have so many to assemble yet).

But I have also seen/heard of many others who have bought them with 1 or more pieces missing. Some have mentioned smoke-smells, mould-smells or pet hairs. There is a discussion about that in a future Article.

It all boils down to how much of a risk-taker you are willing to be. If you are lucky enough to live near Thrift stores that do sell jigsaw puzzles at low prices AND you do many puzzles then the occasional missing piece is not going to bother you too much.

However there are puzzlers who just plain out refuse to buy from Thrift stores because the whole idea of missing pieces does not sit well with them. Fair enough, but I have opened sealed jigsaw puzzles and have had 2 pieces missing. I have also heard numerous situations with many other puzzlers…..it’ s a risky business indeed!

Section Two Tips Tricks