While it’s great to have the latest and greatest technology in your pocket, doing so is expensive and not cost-efficient. But if you really need an accessory or peripheral and don’t have the budget for it, a thrift shop can be a lifesaver.

So, to help you when you’re on a budget, here are some things to consider before thrift shop shopping.

1. Always take care of your safety

You should never bargain when you are buying something related to security. You should consider this, especially if you need a new charger and USB cable. This is because everything you plug into an outlet is exposed to heat and high voltage.

Most modern USB chargers and cables contain microchips, so they can talk to your phone or whatever device you’re charging. This ensures that they only deliver as much energy as your phone’s battery can handle. Also, it protects the phone from overcharging, thereby increasing its battery life.

However, cheap knock-off chargers and USB cables don’t guarantee these protections. This can reduce battery life, cause the battery to swell, or worse, cause it to catch fire. So if you’re buying any security-related equipment, you should stick to name-brand items.

2. Don’t Expect Perfect Quality

Cheap tech items from the thrift shop usually don’t have high quality. For example, if you’re buying a speaker, you can’t expect it to sound like you’re at a concert. Most of the time, it makes a crackling or hollow sound, loud enough for you to hear what you’re hearing, but as if you’re listening from the end of a telephone line.

If quality isn’t that important to you and you just need something functional, that’s fine. However, before proceeding with a purchase, you should at least test-drive the item you are purchasing so that you know what you are getting into.

Alternatively, try looking for branded items on-sale or consider a second-hand unit instead. You might get better value-for-money with those items than with a poorly made gadget from the thrift shop. Still, if you have the patience, you can find some hidden gems in there.

3. When You Need Credibility

If you are looking for a device that has something valuable, you should always consider its reliability. This is especially true if you’re buying memory cards and flash drives. This is because if you choose a brand that suddenly and completely fails, you may be scrambling for a solution at the most inopportune moment, and you may lose data in the process.

For example, if you bought a cheap memory card and decided to store a project on it, then it suddenly fails, you’re in for a lot of trouble. This can also apply to batteries—as they power the sensitive electrical components of your devices.

A non-branded, generic battery may not last as long as the original battery. Also, if the battery you buy is wrongly labeled, it can damage and destroy your gadgets. So, it’s best to stick with tried-and-tested brands for the essentials you depend on.

4. Best for Static Items

Some of the best items you can buy at a thrift shop are ones you don’t normally move much. These include stands, holders and other accessories. That’s because these items are usually left alone—you only move them when you’re turning your gadget on or off.

However, if your item is heavy or fragile, you should check the item’s build quality first. After all, you don’t want to put your $1,200 camera on a tripod that will break if you put weight on it. But if you are looking for a cellphone case and are quite careful with your gadgets, then a cheap and cheerful silicone case will suffice.

LED light strips are also great buys at thrift stores. This is because you usually don’t move them around once they’re installed. Plus, they use only a tiny bit of electric current and generate almost no heat, making them safe to use, even if they’re from a generic brand.

5. Gadgets are easy to change

When you only need something functional and not much else, the thrift store is the best place to go. For example, if you have a laptop but want to use it with a stand, you can go to a thrift shop to pick up an inexpensive keyboard and mouse combo. You can also get a wireless pair for a slightly higher cost.

You might also consider getting an LED desk lamp, HDMI cable, and Ethernet cable from your local dime store. Since these items usually stay in place once installed, they don’t need to be as bulky as your other gadgets.