Why Thrift stores?
Thrift stores are a fun and economical way to purchase clothing, shoes, linens, jewelry, accessories, housewares, toys, books, and furniture.
Thrift stores have been premier “GREEN” recyclers long before it was fashionable. Buying used merchandise helps reduce landfill waste. Last year, my favorite thrift store diverted 42 million pounds from landfills. Many thrift stores partner with nonprofit agencies. You can feel good about shopping “thrift” on many fronts.
Tips for shopping at thrift stores.
1.) Get over yourself…many people who have never shopped at thrift stores consider buying used clothing to be unsanitary. Most thrift stores pride themselves in having a “sorting” process prior to items being put on the sales floor. You may be pleasantly surprised at the quality of items you find in the store. Many items I buy are new with tags. As long as you steer clear of certain items (bathing suits, underwear, baby bottles etc.) and wash your items prior to using them, I do not see a problem with buying used. Don’t assume that items will be “out of date.” While you may find that at some stores, many thrift stores eliminate outdated style in their sort process. I have even found the current season of items (e.g., Gymboree clothes new with tags) in our local thrift stores from time to time.
2.)That being said, know your store/s. Some stores have better selections than others, are more organized than others or cleaner than others. Consider googling “thrift stores” and your location and experimenting with which stores meet your needs. I have heard people say that stores in more wealthy areas are “better,” but I have not necessarily found that to be the case. Since you are treasure hunting, that “item/s” could be anywhere.
3.) Go in with an open mind. This is supposed to be “fun” and while you can save a lot of money couponing, going to the thrift store requires little, if any, advance preparation.
4.) when I see high quality items and store them away until they fit. Not surprisingly, the best time to find a winter coat is the summer. When is the best time to find a cute bathing suit? If your budget and storage allow, buy ahead. Buy larger sizes for your children and buy during the off season. By seasonal items as you see them. I buy things, like new unopened children’s items, all year to store away as birthday gifts. They never go to waste. I also buy larger sizes for my children d it, when it is freezing outside.
5.) Many thrift stores do not have fitting rooms. Either plan on carrying measurements with you and a fabric tape measure OR if there are items you would prefer to try on….go to the clothing section and choose a very big and long flowy skirt. Most pants/jeans can be tried on under the skirt in a discrete corner of the store in a pinch.
6.) Know your store’s policies and when they mark things down. If you are in the market for a higher ticket item, consider checking back on a few consecutive days to see if you can catch the item while it goes on sale. Know which day/s your store/s has sales. Also, many thrift stores have a cash only policy, so prepare ahead.
7.) Most stores do not allow returns. As a result, be careful to examine your items before you leave the store. Check them for stains, working zippers, complete parts etc. If you are someone who is buying battery operated items, carry a few extra batteries in your purse so you can try the item while you are in the store.
8.) Know the market. Some items are NOT bargains at thrift stores and are less expensive in typical stores. In my experience, cologne, toiletries, socks and some toys may be higher at the thrift store than buying new.
9.) Remember you don’t HAVE to buy anything. Some days you may not find anything that is a bargain and that is okay. The next trip may be lucky. Do not feel obligated to spend money simply b/c you have spent time “hunting.”
10.) Consider buying for resale or trade. While selling items can be a time consuming activity, you may come across an item that you recognize as a true bargain, but can’t personally use. Consider reselling that item on ebay or craigslist. Make sure you take into consideration the costs of listing prior to your purchase to make sure that reselling will be worth your effort. There are also several reputable groups that trade goods (using a points type economy). Again, make sure that the item is worth your effort, before buying for the purpose of trading.
Rebecca Mettee-Carter
Thanks for having me, Erin. For those of you who don’t know me, I am a SAHM to two children, ages 6 and 3. We live just outside of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My parents were antiques dealers and they instilled both the “value of the dollar” and the “thrill of the hunt” in me at an early age. I continue to enjoy bargain hunting and couponing. I hope to have my own money saving blog running soon . I hope to save my readers money and hassle in this stressful economy.
In the spirit of Mommy Octopus, I will have a contest this week to see who comes closest to guessing the price I paid for the following items (without going over). Prize is a $5 Target gift card. In the event of a tie, total estimated retail value will be used to break the time.
Please see photos and list below.
What I purchased: 14 items total
Purchases Made at Red, White and Blue Thriftstore (Pittsburgh)
- NEW unopened I Spy Alphabet Game
- NEW unopened Human Body Game
- 2 American Girl Stationary Sets, Hallmark (unused)
- American Girl Autograph Book, Hallmark
- Disney Lightening McQueen hooded towel, significant fade / wear
- Pupi (French boutique brand) long sleeve boy’s shirt w/airplane motif, new without tags
- Custom Made girl’s hooded towel w/paperdolls fabric, wear/fade
- Schoolbelles Navy uniform Jumper
- Gap boys Christmas sweater
- NEW w/tags, JCPenny White Uniform Shirt, Long sleeve
- Boys Green Gap Overalls, very good used condition
- NEW w/tags Boutique, Handembellished Grandma Ness Football Sweater
- Hanna Andersson 2 pc Organic Cotton PJs, very good used condition
Post your guesses here – winner will be announced when Mommy Octopus returns.
I’ve been having to work harder to stretch our $50 a week budget. We were also running late for dinner so I grabbed something for the kids and I from the deli.
