Remember the good old days when you were able to walk into a thrift store and actually come out with a bargain? Not because you wanted to jack the price way up on your new found treasure and sell it on eBay, but because you actually walked through the doors hoping to find something useful for yourself or someone in your family?
Remember when you didn’t have to spend an hour at the thrift store looking for a whopping two items and then debate about whether or not your were actually going to buy them as you stood in line? Remember when thrift stores weren’t filled with everybody’s garage sale leftovers? Or if they were, the items were priced crazy cheap because even the store recognized the items were in fact, things nobody really wanted in the first place?
A few weeks ago I wrote a post on how I thought thrift store prices were getting out of hand. And many of you agreed with me. Thrift store managers even chimed in with their perspective on the situation… and it really made me stop and think.
Where have all the good thrift stores gone?
You know, the ones who are there to serve their community or a specific cause?
The ones who’s CEO’s aren’t making 400K+ a year. The ones that are partially staffed with volunteers, or the ones who are able to keep their prices low because they recognize that they’re actually in business to help people and to recycle products for the greater good of the environment.
I’d like to think most thrift stores believe that the more items they sell back to the community, the more people will feel good about donating their quality used items to those type of thrift stores which will then enable the stores to turn a profit.
While Mrs. HB and I were travelling last week, we came upon Global Neighborhood Thrift in Spokane, Washington. The store has been opened since 2011 and let me tell you Bob, everything in the store was spot on. The shelves were stocked, the store was clean, the employees were friendly and the prices were very reasonable. I was so impressed with the place I even told the manager so.
We were in and out of the store in about 10 minutes and in that time I found several treasures.
A practically brand new {and in excellent condition} down blanket for $2.19. A linen tablecloth for $0.49
A bag filled with travel sized toothpaste, toothbrushes and floss for $2.19. {Yes mom, I checked to make sure the safety seals were all on}.
A White House Black Market dress for $5.50 {similar dresses retail for $120-$160 on their website}. Now I could care less what the name on the label was, I was just trying to find something I liked and that fit at a reasonable price. And I did. 🙂 I also found a pair of like new Calvin Klein long shorts in my size for $0.49.
I know we all shop at thrift stores for different things. However, I’d like to think we all want to walk away feeling like not only did we get a bargain, but we helped out an organization doing some sort of good in our community with the money they made off our donations at the same time.
How about YOU? Where are you donating your castoffs lately?
~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? There’s a lively debate still going on over there.
Laurel says
I went to a thrift store in PA this past weekend and came home with three tops, three dollars each, and two pair of slacks for $1 each. I also got my hubby two nice like new shower sleeves dress shirts for $4 each. A gift bag for .80 and tissue paper for .10 cents each. I felt like I scored very well. I also know that this store has the community in mind and keeps prices very reasonable. It is called Abundent Blessings
Jen says
How cool to read your comment, Laurel! I live in the county where A.B. is located. My grandmother volunteers there each Wednesday. I love seeing the photos in our local newspaper of the shop’s managers handing out checks to local nonprofits. It is amazing how much money they have given away over the years. I also enjoy hearing behind the scenes stories from my grandma, they really put a lot of love, time, and care into preparing things for sale!
Diana says
I live less then 10 miles outside of Washington, DC . I’ve almost all but stopped shopping at the name brand thrift stores (the ones where the CEO’s are paid huge amounts) and now I try to shop at places that actually give back , but even those are getting pricey as well. Perhaps it’s the area I live in..
Bonita says
The ones that make me laugh are those things that are priced higher on the thrift store shelves than the lowest markdown price still on the item from the previous retail establishment.
Rita says
WOW What a score Mavis! Love that dress!
Amber says
It helps to shop at a thrift store near affluent neighborhoods. The neighbors donate high quality items and are less likely to be customers.
St. Vincent De Paul down by Seattle’s International District used to be an amazing thrifting spot. I’m not sure if they are still in that location but the place was fully stocked and hardly anyone was there.
Liz says
Habitat for Humanity thrift store in Sisters. OR. One of the best!!!
OregonGuest says
Good to know! Have you checked out Brightside (animal shelter thrift store) or the Opportunity Foundation store in Redmond? Both nice stores supporting good work.
Liz says
Yes, I go to both of them. They are considerably more disorganized and messy, but you can sometimes find a treasure.
Emma B says
WOW, that is all awesome!! that dress would have been black tag at Goodwill and at least 24.99 or more. I wish I could find a thrift store like that around here. I was at goodwill the other day and they had a target child shirt for $4.99. I can go buy it new for that.
Kristina says
Was it actually new? In my town, our goodwill gets Target’s overstock. The items are new and priced accordingly. Also, I think the cost of retail space can vastly affect what thrift stores can charge. For instance, the same “chain” thrift store in my town in rural California is much cheaper than the same one in the middle of nearby San Francisco.
Mary West says
I work at a charity thrift store that supports our local animal shelter – 100% volunteers and 100% of the money goes to the shelter. We have so many donations we are being buried under them. And our prices are dirt cheap. All shirts $1, books 25 cents to $1, etc. Only open three days a week because we don’t have enough volunteers but a great place to shop. Small town Alabama.
Mavis Butterfield says
Mary please let us know the name of the shop in case someone reading these comments is from your area. I would love to send some shoppers your way.
Susan says
I tend to donate to local women’s shelters, and there is a halfway house near us that needs household goods. I also think about younger people who might need what I no longer use. A new thrift store has opened near us (I live near Camp Lejeune) that will send ALL proceeds to programs for veterans and wounded warriors IN OUR community. I am 100% behind this young man, and have volunteered to work in his store once he opens — his rent is free (from a veteran), his “staff” is all volunteers, and his utilities bills are being paid by an anonymous donor. Is that now awesome!?
I stay out of the thrift stores, as I’m on a buy-nothing/purge the house kick right now. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that less really is better, but I now have to deal with the excesses of my younger years.
Mrs. D says
I agree with Susan. I try really hard NOT to thrift shop. Not even ‘just to look’ I’ll come home with something. I’m clearing out and trying to downsize everything not used on a regular basis. I’ve made my way through, the closet a couple of times and even the linen closet. I’ve recently turned 60 so I thought it’s time. If my kids or friends don’t want ‘it’ I donate to the cat adoption society. All proceeds go to help cats get adopted. Good cause to help animals.
Susan says
Mrs. D — That’s so funny — I just turned 60 also! Reckon as we age we realize what’s really important — and it’s NOT the stuff!
Mary3 says
I donate our things to our Church shop. Since my mother died I have been going thru things and donate there – thinking it will help those in need and if there are people like Mavis who shop there then they will find some bargains. It makes me feel good that perhaps someone will benefit from our no longer needed ‘stuff’. I only donate to Goodwill if our local thrift shop won’t take it – don’t like that they seem to have lost their ‘mission’. Better to go to a thrift shop than to a landfill. There by the Grace of God!!!!!!!
Elaine says
We have a great thrift store here in Greencastle Indiana that is run by volunteers and all donations and sales benefit the local humane society!! ❤️❤️
Lesley says
Mavis, we have a thrift store here in town (crowdedcloset.org) that is staffed with volunteers, contributes to good all over the globe, and has half-price days every month. If you ever drive across the country on I80, it is on your way in Iowa City (a Big 10 university town) … and just south of us is Kalona, full of horses and buggies and old-fashioned bakeries. xo
Tammy says
In western Michigan, the Salvation Army thrift stores would run a $5/5 sale on all clothes before or on holidays (Memorial Day, Labor Day, the day after Thanksgiving, etc.). It was a great time to get clothes, because they were super affordable. But here in the area where we moved to South Carolina, I don’t think the stores do that.
In Michigan, I donated to a thrift store down the street from me that had volunteer workers and all the money earned went toward Bibles overseas. Here in SC I have found a thrift shop that donates all proceeds to missionaries overseas. I like to think that the things I can no longer use will turn into a small amount to do some good in someone else’s life.
I have found a few thrift stores worth dropping into here in SC, but it has been frustrating. There’s a new Goodwill here that doesn’t have fitting rooms. It’s not close enough to me to be convenient to return items that don’t fit, so I won’t be shopping there. They’re worried about people stealing clothes, but with millions of pounds of clothes being shipped overseas to be made into rags and whatnot, I don’t think they need to worry about a shortage of clothes. :/
My husband and I were browsing in a store and there was a rack of dresses that were “recycled”. The one tag I looked at had a $82 price tag. My husband told me that I could get recycled clothes at thrift stores for a lot less. 😉
bobbi dougherty says
The only Thrift shop I shop in now a days is the Hospice one(s) in town. There are several, but the one near me is the biggest and they have so much good stuff and for so little. 🙂 I don’t do Goodwill or even Salvation army anymore. The last time I was in a SA it looked like a department store. *sigh* and every piece was priced that way too, lol. But the Hospice shops are all good and for a good cause too. 🙂
Gail Golden says
I agree with you wholeheartedly. I’ve been thrift shopping for decades and see the things you mention. I’ve about given up on Goodwill. I visited one on a trip this past week-end, and learned that they now have Goodwill Online – a website where they send their higher end merchandise. Their prices are ridiculous now. We do have a pay-by-the pound store locally, but you could get trampled by the people buying things for resale. I don’t donate to them any more. I donate to Salvation Army or our local SPCA thrift stores. I’m finding that going to yard/garage sales gives me better deals.
Lynda with a smile says
We shop and donate to Rainier Thrift in Buckley Wa. It is small but generally has great prices. Every time we go in there there are different type items for 50% off. Books are 10 cents each. It is affiliated with Rainier School. The clients are sweet and funny that work there. Love the counslers that run the store. Grannies Attic in Puyallup is another small but good store to shop in. Most all are volunteers.
debbie in alaska says
We have VERY limited options for places to donate here in Juneau, Alaska since we are basically an island. There’s just so much recycling of items one can do with no roads in or out. I’ve recently donated items through Give Back Box. There is no weight limit, items are tax deductible and I like what they are doing.
Carla Moschetti says
Hi Mavis,
I would like to add one more great thrift shop to your list (if you have a list, that is). It’s called Grannie’s Attic, and it’s located in Puyallup. It’s run by Multicare, and all proceeds benefit the Children’s Therapy Unit at Good Samaritan Hospital. It’s all volunteer run (except for the manager) by a bunch of grannies. You have to be 55 years old or older to volunteer there, which I am and I do. The grannies do the pricing, so the prices are good! You should check it out next time you’re in the area!
Emily E. says
We have a name brand thrift store in my city and many of the items look very used and not worth even what the thrift price is. There isn’t a lot of care put into making sure things look nice. Plus, I’m not into supporting someone at the top making a huge salary when the organization is suppose to be benefiting those in need. I’ve participated in a consignment shop but feel like with coupons I can find more of what I want new. Many times I can find items new at stores like Big Lots or Marc’s for less…
Kitty says
I was just talking to a fellow Thrift Store Shopper about how expensive these stores have gotten! Especially Furniture and Lamps!
There ARE still places where I can find Sheets and Blankets and small Appliances at very reasonable prices ( for my kid’s apartments) .
I just bought myself a 100% SILK Hawaiian Shirt and a 100% LINEN Gingham Shirt for $1.00 each at a place here called BLESSINGS ABOUND. Also I bought a really fun, colorful, well-made Cropped Jacket at SAVERS for $7.00. Men’s Shirts there are $3.00 and $4.00 each. I prefer to buy and wear Natural Fibers, which are difficult to find and very expensive in department stores.
Leslie says
I have no problem with a CEO making a big salary- if that same person was in charge of a for-profit organization of the same size, that would be expected. Their workload is the same, so why shouldn’t their pay reflect that? If you don’t pay that salary, you don’t get the same quality of applicant. Our nonprofit wouldn’t pay decent salaries, and couldn’t keep decent employees. So frustrating.
Something I think is related that does get under my skin is certain organization running events and collection donations for disease research that don’t actually donate any (or donate 10%) of proceeds to the actual research. Why bother?
Gardenpat says
I’ve been disappointed with many of the nationally known chain thrift stores in my city, except the Salvation Army! They have been at the location I go to for 2 years now. New building, clean, bright, huge dressing rooms! And the prices are amazing!
Every single Wednesday is half price on everything!!!! We bought a Gold’s Gym recumbant bike for hubby with all the digital bells and whistles marked $399 but 1/2 off on Wed ($198!!)
We bought a Kitchenaid stainless steel side by side refrigerator with ice/ cold water dispense in door- everything working for $161!!!
Nice, commercial Calphalon for $2- $8 each!!!
And the clothes!!! I’ve lost 100 pounds in the past year and didn’t want to invest too much while I was in transition! For a shirt and jeans, I spend $3- $4 total for the two pieces!!!
And they are friendly, helpful!! Oh, bought a love seat and couch- $100 total!!
Susan says
Mavis – maybe visiting 20 thrift stores could be one of your goals next year? I’d love to know where the good ones are.
Margery says
In Central NY Thrifty Shopper is great, I always restocked the kids clothes there, here in Kansas I have found Savers to be the best one. The prices are not bad and if you drop off a donation they give you another 15 percent off what you are buying.
Jennifer says
Our local Food Pantry operates a Thrift Store with 100% volunteer labor & 100% donated items. Prices are extremely low with the chance to buy clothes, shoes, etc. for $2 a bag full on distribution days. Even with these prices the Thrift Store is what keeps the Food Pantry able to operate, paying for utilities, fuel and more.
Melissa in Oz says
You would be horrified at the prices in most thrift stores in Australia!! I have never seen prices like the ones you showed – books in the one I go to start at $3 and I saw book that had $12 on it!?!! Clothes are priced badly too – if something comes in new with a tag they put half of whatever is on the tag. Who would pay $75 for something at the Salvos??? I only buy the items that are on the $2 rack or go somewhere else. Fortunately other thrift stores are better priced but still not as cheap since they know people buy to sell on ebay etc.