![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/man-installing-changing-bulb-fixing-373860453.jpg\")
<\/p>\nJUST one in five people will attempt to fix a broken electrical item in favour of buying a replacement, according to a study.<\/p>\n
Researchers found more than half of consumers will happily spend hours hunting for deals on second-hand and refurbished goods.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A third of people say they always look for pre-loved first – and 35% of those do so more than they did five years ago.<\/p>\n
But despite scouring for second-hand and refurbished items online and on the high street, only 22% would attempt to mend an appliance if it broke.<\/p>\n
Instead, 19% simply chuck broken items out such as toasters and kettles, while 36% recycle them.<\/p>\n
The survey was commissioned by Amazon, which has opened a "Second Chance Store" at the Brunswick Centre in central London until 12 December, selling returned and repaired items for the festive shopping season.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Sam Littlejohn, head of returns and repairs at the company, said: "Some of the most popular products that people search for on our store are also available as quality second-hand items.<\/p>\n \u201cWe sold more than four million used and refurbished products online last year, as shoppers recognise their quality and value-for-money, and appreciate they can buy with confidence with us.<\/p>\n \u201cWhile it\u2019s great to see how as a nation we\u2019re putting pre-loved first, if we want to be really thrifty, we should consider repairing items when possible too.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd if you really can\u2019t mend it, Amazon Second Chance can help people find ways to recycle and trade in electronics.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n The study also found 93% check \u2018used\u2019 prices against new when shopping online, with 34% refusing to pay full price for anything, be it clothing, tech or homeware.<\/p>\n And 44% claim that if there\u2019s a saving to be made, they will always buy the used item.<\/p>\n While 34% would happily gift quality used or refurbished items this Christmas.<\/p>\n Gen Z – those born after 1996 – are the ones most likely to buy pre-loved items, with 31% of the clothes they wear and 33% of the tech they use being second-hand, on average.<\/p>\n More than four in 10 (44%) always shop pre-loved first, but 30% would attempt a home repair.\u00a0<\/p>\n While millennials are the most open to learning how to repair a broken tech item, with 45% visiting a repairs caf\u00e9 in the past 12 months.<\/p>\n And 72% have successfully followed a DIY repairs video on YouTube.<\/p>\n The research found three in 10 Gen X shoppers – aged between 41 and 56 – look for second-hand deals first, but 27% admitted they wouldn\u2019t trust themselves to do a \u2018DIY repair\u2019 at home.<\/p>\n Baby Boomers, aged 59-77, are among the least likely to try to repair and prolong the life of their belongings, with just 28% looking for pre-loved items before new.<\/p>\n Savvy spending is the biggest reason all age groups \u2018bargain hunt\u2019, with 87% believing it\u2019s a positive thing to save cash – even if you've got money to burn.<\/p>\n While 59% also feel it\u2019s important to buy pre-loved, or to extend a product\u2019s life, for the planet.<\/p>\n The study, carried out via OnePoll, found 42% claim it would make them feel happier to buy a quality second hand purchase, or repair a possession they already own, rather than buy something brand new.<\/p>\n Amazon\u2019s Sam Littlejohn added: \u201cWhen you buy second hand, you're not just saving money, you are also giving a product a second chance.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/RR-COMP-HEATING-EXPERT-1.jpg\")
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