Learn English – Term for second hand dealers

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Is there a better term to describe second hand dealers (for electronic devices) and second hand dealers (for collecting newspapers and magazines for recycling)?

Best Answer

"Second hand" goods are goods that have been previously owned. In the USA, "used" is more frequently used.

If the goods are old enough and in good enough condition, they may be considered "antiques".

  • USA: "Used car salesman"
  • UK: "Second hand car salesman"

When these are sold in shops:

  • USA: Thrift store
  • UK: Second hand shop, junk shop, charity shop (when, as is often the case, the shop is run as a fundraising source for a charity)

There are also "antique shops" and "antique salesmen", if the goods are actually antique (although sometimes the definition is pushed somewhat).

In recent years, particularly for good quality second hand clothes of some age, the word "vintage" has come into use. "Vintage clothes shop", or just "vintage shop".

In the UK at least (and, to my knowledge, everywhere else) "second hand dealer" is not generally used when the goods are to be recycled (as opposed to re-used whole).

So, I would use "second hand dealer" to describe someone who buys and sells used electronic equipment.

I would not use "second hand dealer" to describe someone who buys and sells newspapers for recycling. Perhaps a "recyclable waste dealer", if they are selling on to whoever does the actual recycling.