# Rebuying things you used to own - do you do this? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 17, 2012, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977 "2012-10-17T07:22:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![maggenpye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ecc23a/32.png) [@maggenpye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/maggenpye)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2012, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977/41 "2012-10-20T21:03:08Z")
I’ve asked the kid to get me a CD that I used to own. Can’t find it, still want to listen to it. I’m on my 3rd copy of Paul Simon’s \*Graceland \*and Hunters & Collectors _Cut_. My favourite was when I found a reference book I used to own in a secondhand shop. Not a copy, the same book, with my pencilled in notes still in it! I sold it in Wellington and re-bought it in Auckland. It’s had a very hard life in the meantime. ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2012, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977/42 "2012-10-20T21:28:54Z")
> [@maggenpye](#): > > My favourite was when I found a reference book I used to own in a secondhand shop. Not a copy, the same book, with my pencilled in notes still in it! Similarly, I donated a bunch of books I had “outgrown” to my elementary school’s library. Just after I graduated from college, the school closed. After the other school libraries in the district took the best volumes, the remaining materials were made available for free on a “first-come, first-served” basis. I reacquired several of my childhood favorites – some that bore marks of my previous ownership, others simply books I had coveted for their text and/or pictures over a decade earlier. ---
**Author:** ![biqu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7feea3/32.png) [@biqu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/biqu)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2012, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977/43 "2012-10-20T23:25:35Z")
I used to own a pantry full of food. I had to rebuy the contents of that pantry recently because the energy they supplied got used up in successive weekends of ultimate frisbee (not to mention my day job). On a more serious note, the following items got stolen from me, and I went ahead and bought exact replacements: M-Audio studio monitors, The Ultimate Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy (actually the stolen copy was hardcover, and the replacement was paperback), Tivoli Model Two table radio, and two Pilot Shaker mechanical pencils. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [October 20, 2012, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977/44 "2012-10-20T23:58:11Z")
Then of course there’s upgrading the media collection as a new format takes over, such as going from cassette to CD, or VHS to DVD. Done lots of that. ---
**Author:** ![SCAdian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scadian/32/3292_2.png) [@SCAdian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCAdian)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977/45 "2012-10-21T01:21:25Z")
I also have bought several copies of various books over the years - sometimes I’ve lost them for whatever reason (lost in moves, loaned out and not returned, &c), sometimes I want to reread the book _now_ and I don’t want to dig through the boxes in the basement looking for it… ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977/46 "2012-10-21T01:38:36Z")
The only thing I can think that I have bought the same exact version of more than once were a pair of dress shoes. My original pair had gotten worn out, so I wanted to replace them with a new pair. I didn’t particularly care for the shoes, I didn’t think they were all that special, but when I went to the shoe store to pick out new shoes, I ended up buying the same pair again. There was literally nothing better, so I was happy to pick the same exact copy. I’d love to do that with a pair of old running shoes I have. I’ve owned them for… wow… probably about 5 years now, and I want to replace them but I don’t think I could find them again. Now, if we count different versions of the same or similar items, then yes there have been a couple. Spaceballs on VHS, DVD and recently Bluray. Some video games, downloadable versions vs originals, remakes, ports, etc. Alienware brand computers (I’m on my 3rd one). ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977/47 "2012-10-21T01:53:53Z")
I once bought a bunch of parts at a U-pull-it junkyard off a car that I had junked a few months earlier, including a set of tires I’d bought new just before the thing died. ETA: I guess more in line with the theme of this thread, the reason why I was able to do that was because I hadn’t learned my lesson and bought a virtually identical replacement car. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 5:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977/48 "2012-10-21T05:04:18Z")
My wife bought a book at our library’s twice a year used book sale recently. When she opened it, she discovered that it was one she had donated several months earlier. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 6:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977/49 "2012-10-21T06:42:17Z")
I’m old enough I had an extensive collection of LP’s which I eventually replaced by CD’s. I also had a lot of VHS movies which I’ve replaced with DVDs and in some case with Blu Rays. Which means I probably have three copies of some movies. I’ll occasionally see a cheap paperback at a flea market or library book sale that I have but want to reread and I’ll buy it for fifty cents rather than dig up my old copy. Probably the closest to what the OP is asking about is there have been a few times I’ve bought a boardgame that I used to play when I was young. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977/50 "2012-10-21T07:45:19Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > I’ve rebought video games I used to own. Me too, through Good Old Games and Steam; the former because I only had the Mac versions of games (MoO II, SMAC) and I’m on a PC now, and the latter because I’d rather drop five bucks than dig out my old Xbox and hope it still works (KoTOR is a bit better on PC, too). ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 7:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977/51 "2012-10-21T07:53:48Z")
I’ve bought clothes I actually USED TO OWN. After donating stuff to the local Opportunity Shop (Goodwill for you folk), and visiting there to restock my wardrobe, I found a lovely skirt that suited me right down to the ground. It was my daughter who pointed out that I had previously donated the same skirt a few months prior to the same Opp Shop. :smack: 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Battle\_Pope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@Battle\_Pope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Battle_Pope)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2012, 9:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977/52 "2012-10-21T09:46:50Z")
I’ve bought a few comics that I had as a kid (on UFO’s). Tracked down my favorite Matchbox car and a Coca-cola yo-yo as well. ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 8:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977/53 "2012-10-25T08:27:50Z")
Thanks for your replies everyone, it looks like the quick answer is no, I’m not the only one 😉 > [@AaronX](#): > > Now you’re just some shoes that I used to own? Ha! But the filker in me has to point out “booties” scans better than shoes 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977/54 "2012-10-25T12:08:54Z")
I’ve bought the exact stuff I used to own, too. Some of my Khorne Berserker miniatures for Warhammer 40K were well-painted enough that when I sold them the new owners didn’t feel the need to strip and repaint them. But evidently not well-painted enough that they didn’t sell them to other people, who then sold them back to me along with the rest of his stuff at a firesale price when he was getting out of the hobby. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 12:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977/55 "2012-10-25T12:34:43Z")
> [@kittenblue](#): > > And it’s not something I USED to own, but currently own that was looking like it was being discontinued, that I went on a buying binge on to obtain enough to last through the estimated rest of my life…my favorite hairbrush. I now own twelve. And the stickers they use to indicate a soon-to-be discontinued item at the store have been removed, and the item is still being restocked…I often wonder if it is because I bought up all the stock at six different stores in the space of a week? How long does it take to wear out a hairbrush 😕 ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 1:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977/56 "2012-10-25T13:03:21Z")
> [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](#): > > How long does it take to wear out a hairbrush 😕 Word. I still have and use one I bought over 30 years ago. I got it at the Army PX when my hair finally grew back enough to need a brush. ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2012, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977/57 "2012-10-25T13:32:33Z")
You aren’t bald are you? ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Imp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/58956e/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Imp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Imp)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977/58 "2012-10-30T12:04:51Z")
> [@Hogfather65](#): > > Over the last few years I have done a load of this. After my divorce I was bitter and loads of time on my hands. I suspect that’s part of my motivation too - bitter about some of the stuff I threw away in a hurry when I was thrown out, and now have time to browse (while his daughter that he’s still not met is napping)! > [@Hogfather65](#): > > But I have trolled ebay and car boot sales and have dug up > books I used to read as a teenager (Piers Anthony’s Xanth books). You should have said, I had the complete collection 😉 (okay, in reality I binned them before I found the SDMB, but otherwise I’d totally have passed them on to a fellow Doper!) > [@Seanette](#): > > This thread reminds me, I need to see if I can find a T-shirt shop in town that has a duplicate of a favorite of mine that’s in dire need of repairs or replacement. What t-shirt, out of curiosity? > [@Student\_Driver](#): > > Video games, books, comics, music, movies. And not in the sense of buying them in a new format or a download, but in the sense of buying the same item more than once. Sometimes lost, sometimes stolen, sometimes damaged or destroyed. > > I do it with clothes, too. Especially after the ex-fiancee, to whom I gave everything back which she had given me. Afterward, I found that I missed several of the pieces of clothing she’d gotten me – a well-fitted suit, a jacket, some shoes – that I went out and repurchased them. Yup, ex’s have a lot to answer for (although sounds like yours had good taste in clothes). > [@HoneyBadgerDC](#): > > I sold off things after my divorce I regretted and have since replaced them, mostly tools, also things that have been stolen seem to linger in me unless I replace them . Yeah, I’ve rebought the same compilation CDs that were stolen from me years ago, rather than just buying the actual albums! > [@MLS](#): > > I have rebought things I \*still \*own but can’t find! In particular, after I retired I decided to take up tatting and crocheting again but couldn’t find the shuttle, crochet hooks, etc., so I repurchased those items. To my great dismay I also couldn’t find my vintage crochet book, inherited from my mother, copyright the year I was born. I finally found it again – on ebay – and bought it a few months ago. Just yesterday we found the original, so now I have two. It has been my experience that if you can’t find something, replace it, and the original will be found shortly thereafter. Ha 🙂 In that case, I hope those two flattering fitted dresses with the pop-studs that I think I binned in the move, turn up in a suitcase somewhere! > [@Ellen\_Cherry](#): > > Have you checked here for your [boots](http://www.victoriantradingco.com/store/catalogimages/1a/i16891.html)? I had a quick look thanks, but it’s specific boots, style “millie” by the UK Clarks I’m looking for, not just any Victorian boots. Nice stuff though 🙂 > [@Iggy](#): > > I just ordered an exact replacement of the pair of shoes I am wearing today. > > Shoe selection here is bad and by replacing with an exact copy I can be assured they will fit. You’re male, right? Female shoes would have been discontinued after one season and we can’t get the exact copy again ☹ > [@SpoilerVirgin](#): > > I stock up on or repurchase when they are lost or worn out, or may become unavailable: > > Clothes > Shoes > Books > Bath and Body Products > Jewelry > > Clothing or shoes that I like, I often purchase in multiple colors. Since my weight fluctuates, I also will sometimes repurchase an item I like in a different size. If it’s one of my favorites, I may purchase a second one as a spare just in case. I own 10 pairs of my favorite boots, two in each of the five available colors. You might just win this thread 🙂 (and speaking of body products, if anyone has any spare Japonica Hair Serum made by UK Boots, can I have it please? They discontinued it) ☹ > [@maggenpye](#): > > I’ve asked the kid to get me a CD that I used to own. Can’t find it, still want to listen to it. > > My favourite was when I found a reference book I used to own in a secondhand shop. Not a copy, the same book, with my pencilled in notes still in it! I sold it in Wellington and re-bought it in Auckland. It’s had a very hard life in the meantime. Which CD? And that’s weird 🙂 > [@Doug\_K](#): > > My wife bought a book at our library’s twice a year used book sale recently. When she opened it, she discovered that it was one she had donated several months earlier. Fabulous 🙂 Didn’t she remember she’d read it? > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Probably the closest to what the OP is asking about is there have been a few times I’ve bought a boardgame that I used to play when I was young. Yup, nostalgia has a lot to answer for! ---
**Author:** ![leftfield6](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leftfield6/32/18780_2.png) [@leftfield6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/leftfield6)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977/59 "2012-10-30T13:12:31Z")
Taking the thread title to it’s literal extreme, I have bought back two cars that I had sold years before. Not the same model, but the exact same car! I had sold both at moments where I needed the cash, but had a standing agreement with the new owner that if they ever wanted to sell, they would contact me. They did, and I bought them back. One I bought back at the exact same price I sold it for, and the other I paid a little more for than I had sold it. Also did the same thing with a sailboat, but made out like a bandit (pirate?) on that one. Bought it back at less than half what I had sold it for, put in a weekend of work cleaning and repairing, and then flipped it for a huge profit. ---
**Author:** ![lorene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/65b543/32.png) [@lorene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lorene)\ **Post date:** [October 30, 2012, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977/60 "2012-10-30T15:12:31Z")
> [@FordTaurusSHO94](#): > > In the 90’s, I was obsessed with Nike Air Max running shoes. I’ve considered buying the 95-98 versions several times. One thing that irks me to no end is how frequently running shoes get ‘updated’. There’s one type that I really like that is now on version 9, whereas version 5 was the best for me. When I was able to still find new 5s, I bought a load of them. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rebuying-things-you-used-to-own-do-you-do-this/637977.md?page=4)