Stolen Jewels on eBay, The Return on Returns and The Risks & Rewards of Buying Used Items

The Fate of Returned Items: What Really Happens to Them?

The rise of online shopping has led to a substantial increase in return rates, with the percentage now closer to 20% and even higher for clothing items. JC Penney's early no-questions-asked returns, which had a mere 2% return rate a century ago, contrasts sharply with today's landscape. The handling of returns has become a distinct industry, highlighted by the astonishing statistic that winter holiday returns in the US alone exceed $300 billion, nearly 1.5% of the country's GDP. This phenomenon has given rise to a new sector of companies, like the Reverse Logistics Association, which buy returned items at low prices and resell them, recycle materials, or attempt refurbishment. This New Yorker story underscores the throwaway culture and the intricate processes that occur with returned goods, revealing the economic and environmental implications of this trend.

Jewelry Valued at $65K Found on eBay for Mere $50 Amidst Theft Allegations

Stolen jewelry from the British Museum, allegedly taken by a former long-serving employee, has appeared on eBay at greatly reduced prices compared to their true value. Missing items from the London museum have been spotted on the platform since 2016, with significant disparities between asking prices and their true worth. Some items, like a Roman-era onyx piece valued between $30,000 and $65,000, were listed with a starting bid of $50. eBay, in cooperation with law enforcement, is investigating the matter and will remove stolen items from its platform. The main suspect is a former senior curator, Peter John Higgs, who denies the allegations.

7 Home Items You Should Avoid Purchasing Secondhand — Agree or Disagree?

Real Simple magazine published an article titled 7 Home Items You Should Never Buy Used. In it, the writer touches on the cost-effective ways to furnish and decorate your home by exploring thrift stores, estate sales, and online platforms. However, for safety and quality reasons, recommends to buy certain items new and avoid purchasing used. I agreed on a few of the items mentioned in the piece but disagreed on many others. In this video, I agree to disagree on several items in the article asking whether it’s Fact or Fear driving these decisions. What’s your take on this list?