My cat Spike was previously owned, but in good condition.  He wasn’t shaking or throwing up on the floor or having some kind of a fit.  For a cat in an animal shelter he seemed to be in pretty good shape!  The animal services people said that he was available for adoption which made me wonder if the other animals in the cages were doomed already.

Adoption is just another word for a cat sale!  They didn’t want us to think this was a business arrangement, so they dulled the verbiage by telling us we were giving him a new home and a future; even hinting that if we didn’t take him, he would be meeting the grim reaper the next day.

First Tip:  Know what you’re going to be spending and decide if the kitten is worth the money, as well as the cat hair on your new sofa when you get home.

The cat cost me almost $100 before I could even get him into the car, which to my way of thinking, I had just bought a cat.  Adoption fees, city license fees and county license fees, worming and a few other medical necessities amounted to $115.00.  The coupon they gave me to have him neutered would save me $20.00, but would still cost $30.00. 

Any way I looked at this arrangement, we were talking about big money and I hadn’t even bought any kitty litter or cat food!  I was beginning to wonder if I had been scammed.  This kitten certainly didn’t look like he was worth a hundred dollars.  Also someone obviously of limited intelligence had named this kitten Donnie!  I immediately changed his name to Spike, which he seemed to appreciate.

Second Tip:  Make sure the cat of your choice is in good mental health.   That’s right, I said mental health.  According to animal experts, cats can stress out and go bonkers just like us humans. I wasn’t aware of such a thing when I picked Spike out of the line-up at the shelter, but it could explain why sometimes when he’s sleeping he will suddenly sit up and then bolt from his bed like its on fire!

Cat anxiety is evidently a fairly common malady for felines.  Spike rarely appears anxious unless one of the raccoons that have invaded the woods in our back yard snarls at him over a bit of his cat food.  He almost lost a leg to one of these food bandits a couple of years ago and since then he stays out of their way when they visit his garage at night.  Othewise  he seems pretty laid back.

Occasionally he’ll scratch the side of our antique couch when we least expect it.  I think he’s just trying to get attention from us, which he does when my wife grabs the broom and swats him out the door.

I asked a veterinarian about this behavior and he said that Spike was probably suffering some kind of emotional stress.  He wrote me a prescription for valium.  He said if he showed any other emotional distress he would increase the dosage.  That’s all I need; a stoned cat!

Tip Three:  Physical Health:  Although it’s impossible to tell just how healthy the cat you’re interested in buying is, you have to hope that it’s good enough to qualify him for health insurance.  Spike appeared to be healthy when I bought him so I thought I wouldn’t have to spend much money on his up-keep.

Then the raccoons and monstrous veterinarian bills arrived.  After one of them chewed on his leg in a dispute over Meow Mix, I discovered that having a little insurance was probably a good thing.  I also discovered that pet insurance is a lot like human health insurance in that there is a pre-existing clause. Even though Spike had never had an injury to his leg, the insurance company refused to pay for the medical attention he received, using the old “pre-existing” excuse!

Whether you buy your cat at a pet store or an animal shelter, it’s going to cost you money, worry and time.  Sometimes I think raising a kid is cheaper and they won’t leave hair on your couch!

There really is nothing wrong with buying used lawn care equipment, provided it was well maintained and does not cost as much as buying the same thing new. Equipment that was taken care of by the original owner can be just as good as buying something new, provided the used lawn care equipment is not expected to last as long as a new item. While it may work just as good as a new one, it may not have the same life expectancy.

While the physical appearance of the used lawn care equipment should be considered, any and all safety devices designed to protect the operator should also be present and in good working condition. Many of these devices, mandated by law for safety, can be removed by the owner and if it is sold as used lawn care equipment if they are not present or functioning, could place the new owner at risk.

Some retailers that have had equipment returned will send them to a factory authorized repair facility for inspection and repair if needed. They then sell it as used lawn care equipment, even if it has never been used. For example, a person buys a lawn mower and has trouble getting it started. The retailer exchanges it for them, sends the other one out for repair and when it is fixed, sell it as used lawn care equipment at a significant discount. Often these items can be bought with the original factory warranty still in effect.

When To Consider Buying Used Equipment

In the middle of the grass cutting season if the lawn equipment breaks, the owner may not be in a financial condition to replace it. Often, they can get a deal on used lawn care equipment that has been traded in on a new one by someone else. Pieces of equipment that are not needed all year around should also be considered when looking at used lawn care equipment. Sometimes, buying used for periodic used can be cheaper than the cost of lawn care equipment rental.

Depending on the price of the used lawn care equipment, it may be wise to check maintenance records to help determine the potential life expectancy of the equipment. The more expensive the equipment, the more research should be conducted and the more proof of proper maintenance the seller should provide. If buying a used push mower for $10 for example, you are going to pay the money and take your chances.