JUST one in five people will attempt to fix a broken electrical item in favour of buying a replacement, according to a study.
Researchers found more than half of consumers will happily spend hours hunting for deals on second-hand and refurbished goods.
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.
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.
Instead, 19% simply chuck broken items out such as toasters and kettles, while 36% recycle them.
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.
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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.
“We 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.
“While it’s great to see how as a nation we’re putting pre-loved first, if we want to be really thrifty, we should consider repairing items when possible too.
“And if you really can’t mend it, Amazon Second Chance can help people find ways to recycle and trade in electronics.”
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The study also found 93% check ‘used’ prices against new when shopping online, with 34% refusing to pay full price for anything, be it clothing, tech or homeware.
And 44% claim that if there’s a saving to be made, they will always buy the used item.
While 34% would happily gift quality used or refurbished items this Christmas.
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.
More than four in 10 (44%) always shop pre-loved first, but 30% would attempt a home repair.
While millennials are the most open to learning how to repair a broken tech item, with 45% visiting a repairs café in the past 12 months.
And 72% have successfully followed a DIY repairs video on YouTube.
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’t trust themselves to do a ‘DIY repair’ at home.
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.
Savvy spending is the biggest reason all age groups ‘bargain hunt’, with 87% believing it’s a positive thing to save cash – even if you've got money to burn.
While 59% also feel it’s important to buy pre-loved, or to extend a product’s life, for the planet.
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.
Amazon’s Sam Littlejohn added: “When you buy second hand, you're not just saving money, you are also giving a product a second chance.
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“The beauty of second-hand shopping is that it's like a treasure hunt.
“You never know what unique and valuable items you'll discover while giving a second life to pre-loved goods.”
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