Scrutinize seams and corners for tiny black dots (feces) or insect shells, which are red flags for bed bugs. Avoid at All Costs

These carry high risks of sanitation issues, dust mites, and bed bugs.

For local pickups, meet in well-lit public places and never send money before seeing the item in person.

Use Google Lens to take a photo of a piece and find its original brand and retail price to ensure you're getting a fair deal.

Before you commit, perform a thorough inspection to separate "worth it" from "worthless":