I don’t know about you, but I LOVE thrift stores. Even on a day I don’t find any treasures to take home, I am always amazed at the huge range of items. They are an AWESOME way to save a lot of cash and get completely unique items. Plus, there’s always tons of gardening stuff on the cheap.
Here’s 10 tips for thrift store shopping:
- Bring a reusable bag. This may seem strange, but seriously, some thrift stores don’t provide carts. The ones that do are sometimes set up like a hoarder’s basement, so navigating a cart in the aisles just isn’t worth the hassle. Plus, the ‘you bag it you buy it’ principal doesn’t apply here. You can always put it back after taking it for a stroll through the store.
- Wear form fitting clothes. A pair of leggings and a form fitting shirt go a long way when there are no dressing rooms. If you aren’t wearing baggy clothing, you can slip it over the top of your outfit for size and be on your way. Plus, you can take it home and wash it before sliding it next to your skin.
- Remember, thrift shopping is an endurance race. If you are looking to run in and run out, it’s not for you. Finding treasures is a labor of love–one that often times comes up empty. Thrift stores change inventory daily, so be prepared to come back if nothing suits your fancy, and be prepared to dig a bit to find something that does.
- Check the label. Certain brands hold up better than others.
- Inspect items thoroughly. Check for stains, rips, chips, and tears. Check that all of the pieces, buttons, etc. are there. Usually, purchases are non-refundable, so give it a good four times over.
- Avoid make-up, mattresses, running shoes, underwear, etc. There is no way to no how old make-up actually is, even if it does appear to be “new”. Mattresses are super hard to clean and harbor tons of ‘I’d rather not know’s’. Running shoes are designed to support your body–they have a mileage limit, and typically they are used pretty hard before they find their way to the thrift store. Underwear = Gross.
- Keep a list of things you might be looking for {i.e. black sweater, white serving bowl, wooden shelf, etc.} Often times when you get into the store, it can be so overwhelming you don’t know where to start. A list gives you some focus. {Don’t be discouraged if you don’t fill your wishlist right away. Patience, young one, patience. See tip #3.}
- Test things out. If you are buying appliances or electronics, ask to plug them in and give them a spin. Every thrift shop I’ve ever been to has been more than gracious in letting me check first.
- Have an open mind. Sometimes, without the shiny merchandising, things look ‘junkie’, but a lot of times, they are just in need of some simple TLC. Ask yourself, would a furniture piece look different with a coat of paint and some new hardware? Would those plates look amazing paired with your place mats and bowls?
- Make sure to donate! Donate any unwanted clutter in your house. Before I go to the thrift stores, I always grab the box of donations I keep in the closet. It’s the circle of thrift store life, people. Isn’t it a beautiful thing?
Now stick-it to the over-priced mall, and get out there and get your savings on!
~Mavis
Frustrated with the prices at thrift stores lately? Well you’re not the only one… Check out the post Am I The Only One Who Thinks Thrift Store Prices Are Getting Ridiculous?
SHARE:
April Myers says
I saw a lovely deviled eggs platter at the PHS SAVE Thrift Store. Took a picture for you but couldn’t figure out how to send it to you . . .
Lisa says
I thought you were going to show us a bunch of cool cheap gardening stuff you bought! I love thrift stores and garage sales too.
Kelly R. says
Those pants are incredible! I never find fun things at our local thrift stores.
Stacy says
Loved these as well….my first thought was “OMG, Jan Brady pants!” would be a great Halloween item,
jubob says
we just went yesterday and eureka found 3 king size flat sheets for$3.25, i use them to back the quilts i make. like you said, i have to go back several times but it’s worth it. and it’s a great place to find work clothes.
Roslyn says
If you go to a particular store regularly enough that they at least recognize you & you chat them up a bit, you can find out which days the ‘new’ merchandise comes out and on which days they do mark-downs. That’s if you want to put that much effort into it. Sometimes it really pays off.
If you have time, you can volunteer at thrift stores. It is a good way to ‘give back’ to the community if it is a charity based store. While for the most part the volunteers are not supposed to get “first pick” they are at least there around the merchandise and see all that comes in.
Something else I just learned about … some of the stores pay incredibly HUGE salaries to the guys on top and minimum wage to the people who work there. I wish that I could tell you which ones but don’t think this is a proper forum. The information is out there, however, if you want to know.
For me, I am not going to shop in those stores anymore. Exploitation is exploitation, big or small.
Margie says
I worked a couple of years at Goodwill. Great place for challenged folks to find training/work, but are one of the stores you mentioned that the info is out there. I still love to go treasure hunting. I’ve found some VERY brand new VERY brand name items at steals of prices.
lisa says
Live in Woodinville, Value Village opens in May, and I can’t wait!
Desi says
My favorite thing about thrift stores is you can find items that they don’t make any more. Things that you can’t buy in a store, plus there’s a huge variety of well everything. Awesome tips!
Mary says
Just yesterday I drove all around my tiny town looking for an adding machine. Walmart had them for 19.99 and 16.99 but alas, none on the shelf. I was frustrated and didn’t want to leave my tiny ‘burb and head out 15 miles to the nearest “office store” to find one.
On my way home, I passed, you guessed it! The thrift store. Walked right to the electronics aisle and found not one, but two adding machines for $5.99 each. They both looked like machines that would retail for $40 or more in their day. I chose the one that had a better looking ink cartridge, plugged it in, added a few numbers, and took that baby home!!
I LOVE our thrift store!!
D'Anna says
We have gobs of non-profit thrift stores that benefit local women’s and kids services…super good deals on high quality stuff, all volunteer ran and the proceeds go to a good cause so it’s a win all around.
Sue Huseby says
I love thrift shops! I can always find garden art of some kind. I coordinate an organic community garden at a historic farm on Anderson Island. We have 30 gardens so many different ideas happening from all the gardeners! I found cement snails today that will sit in flowers around my birdbath. I like flowers in and around all my vegetables. Come visit us sometime.
Mavis says
Thanks! I think I will. 🙂
Laurel says
I’ve learned that different thrift shops are best for different things. One has great clothes and regularly 50-75% off whatever colored tag, another I would not buy clothes at but has great yard things and don’t forget ReStore (Habitat for Humanity stores) ….omg the stuff I’ve gotten there for the yard… new concrete blocks for 5 cents each (end of year special) – but do be careful how many you buy – it took a dump truck to bring 675 blocks home but the blocks only cost $33.75 – clearly glad I didn’t have a HH husband to chime in on that one…. 🙂
LaToya says
Where’s the tip about how to stomach the scent? That smell. That old mothball dung smell. Gah. I tried going to the Goodwill here a few months back. Just couldn’t do it. And most of the clothes was just awful.
Carri says
Our family loves shopping at thrift stores! Certain thrift stores in our area get overstocks and returned items from area retail stores. Our local Goodwill’s sells brand new (including underwear!) Target merchandise. It’s easy to find because it always has a pink tag.
Robyn says
Hi, great post. I would like to add (from experience), always check the armpits for stinkiness!! It can be embarrassing to check, especially at a garage sale, but I have avoided buying really cute things due to armpit odors that are really impossible to get out. Also really important to check zippers, as sometimes they are broken. They are also expensive to have replaced at the tailors. Good luck and happy thrifting! There are lots of awesome deals to be had:)
Barbee near Dallas says
OhMyGosh Yes.
Re: Hint #10: My town has the best thrift store policy…
If you bring in a donation they hand you a $5 off coupon good toward your next purchase.
Oh yes.
LOL Right now wearing a new sweater I bought just a few weeks ago for $3.
DANA says
DONT FORGET TO ASK FOR A DISCOUNT … EVEN THO ITS ALREADY CHEAP I GOT A MARBLE TABLE FOR $50.OO BUT THEY HAD IT MARKED FOR $69.99.. I SAVED ALL THAT MONY BY JUST ASKING !!! WOHOO ME
lea says
A few months ago I was taking a small load of donations to my local thrift store. I pulled up, got out and started unloading. I glanced over to another pile of donations and found the CUTEST retro drop leaf table – yellow fomica? anyway I just had had had to have it. I asked the guy how I could get it and he actually went in, found someone to price it for me and I hauled it home for less than $10. I am getting my money’s worth for sure. I absolutely love it. It makes a wonderful coffee bar.
Deborah says
One of my favorite things to do is thrifting! I work at Kohl’s, but most things I wear are from a thrift or consignment store. Unless it’s 80 or 90 percent off, I rarely buy anything where I work. Unfortunately, a lot of good thrift stores are now “boutiques” because they can charge a lot more more if everything is perfectly sized and individually priced. The thrill of the hunt is finding something really good in a rack of Target/Walmart ho-hum. I don’t just mean “good” as in designer expensive, but something unique. I like a store that is pretty clean, and has some organization, but all the fun is gone if you can’t “dig” for treasures. I don’t want to shop in a mall department store!