HAS Julie Farrer (Letters, June 9) always been so fortunate that she has never needed to buy or sell used things? If so, I hope she remains that lucky.

But I do resent her suggestion that all second-hand furniture shops are inconsiderate pedlars of "junk" and "house-clearance tat" creating eyesore pavement clutter. That implies that the people who sell to us have houses filled with rubbish or that the belongings of their loved ones were tatty and only worth disposing of at the tip.

She should also spare a thought for people who have to live on a low income. Not everyone can afford to buy new or choose not to get into hire purchase debt.

The answer is: Don't knock it until you've tried it. There are an awful lot of people out there who appreciate second-hand dealers.

K HARGREAVES, Willow Trees Drive, Lammack, Blackburn.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.