Shopping at thrift stores is a fun and responsible way to get the most out of your money. Not only can it provide you with unique, rare and vintage accessories for your wardrobe and home but it is a form of recycling that reduces environmental waste and sweatshop work. Make the most of your visits to thrift stores by learning how, where and when to shop.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Shopping at Thrift Stores
Step 1. Decide what you are looking for
Making a list is a useful way to set purchasing goals. Also consider the following:
- It is often better to have a "checklist" and then create a smaller list of short-term goals that need to be addressed first.
- Prepare to search. Some thrift stores are well organized by gender, size, item type, or other parameters. Others are a free-for-all of containers and warehouse space. Dress appropriately and be prepared to sort, lift, pull, and push second-hand items.
Step 2. Try things on yourself
Without trying things on yourself, it's hard to know if they're worth your money.
- Ask for a fitting room with a mirror or a convenient bathroom.
- Dress in well-fitted clothing in case a fitting room is not available. In this way, you can try on clothes on top of what you are already wearing.
Step 3. Evaluate the quality
Thrift store items are purchased "as is"; therefore, it is important to review all purchases before committing to one. Some things to look for are:
- If you're shopping for clothes, check the seams, cuffs, and collars for wear and tear. Also look for spots around the neck, armpits, and crotch.
- For furniture, make sure it's sturdy and doesn't require repairs that you can't provide.
- For home appliances, please ask to connect the item to make sure it works before you buy.
- Review the washing instructions. Getting a silk blouse for $ 3 initially seems like a great deal. However, if you consider that it is labeled "dry cleaning only", the savings are not that great.
Step 4. Have a vision
Part of shopping at thrift stores is having a basic idea in mind but being open to opportunities when you find them. Consider the following:
- Recognize when an item of clothing could be repaired or resized with minimal tailoring.
- Have a style and color scheme in mind for each room you are decorating. This ensures theme consistency and avoids impulse purchases.
- Listen to your instincts. Sometimes you can come across an item that you weren't looking for but that is unique, classic and perfect for a place in your home.
Step 5. Establish purchase limits
You never know what you will find when shopping at thrift stores and the temptation to make impulse purchases is strong. Here are ways to avoid overselling:
- Go shopping with a price limit in mind and stick with it. This can be a limit that you set per item or for the entire visit to the store, but the idea is to stay aware of how much you spend.
- Don't buy something unless you love it. If you are undecided about something, take another walk around the store and think about it. If you come back and you are not committed to that purchase, it was not meant to happen.
Part 2 of 4: Tips and Tricks for Buying at Thrift Stores
Step 1. Use your smartphone
This works great for vintage or antique items when you are unsure whether an item is worth the price on the label. Go to Google or eBay and find how much it would sell for elsewhere.
Step 2. Search for offers
Many stores have weekly "tag deals," where items with a tag of a certain color are put on sale. Other stores have clearance hangers or run regular sales to clear inventory. Some larger volume stores even sell by the kilo for items like clothing or linens.
- Don't be afraid to haggle. Missed a deal on a large item purchase? Are you going to make multiple purchases and want to round up the total? Don't be afraid to ask for a reasonable deal, especially if you are a regular customer.
- Don't believe the "SOLD" sign. Sometimes the item has already been paid for; however, people often say they will come back for something and then find something else they like better at another store. If you see something you love with a "sold" sign, talk to an employee or manager. The item may have been like this for days and no one remembered to remove the sign.
- Always ask for a discount. Does the item in question have a few flaws that are worth a discount? Does the store have an offer for that day? If you're buying items on sale, employees can often extend the sale to the rest of the items in your purchase.
Step 3. Look for "best value" items
Some items show up in thrift stores looking a bit worn or dated. Other items are donated regularly and you would never know they are used or second hand. Look in particular for the items below:
- Belts: Accessories like belts are one of the first items to be dropped from a wardrobe when styles change. One advantage of belts is that with a little creativity, the buckles can be replaced and a simple leather stripe really does not go out of style.
- Shoes: Decent leather shoes command high prices at most retail stores, so when you can get slightly used ones from a thrift store for 90% less, it's a significant savings on your budget. Plus, with a little oil and polish, they can look like new.
- Furniture - Department stores often donate last season's merchandise to local thrift stores for tax reasons. Additionally, vintage furniture can be reclaimed, repainted, or reupholstered with new fabrics to look like a DIY fashion dream.
- Jeans: Brand new jeans can cost anywhere from $ 50 to over $ 200, while buying second-hand jeans generally means paying between $ 10 and $ 25 for a pair. Especially after Christmas, it is easy to find them with the labels still intact.
Step 4. Talk to the employees
People who work in thrift stores have a wealth of information. Here are some things to ask about:
- What days do shipments arrive? Employees can tell you what days they get new items and when they put things on sale.
- Who are they associated with? They can tell you if their store has a donation program with a large retail store where they take possession of clearance items from a previous season.
- "Have you seen such an article?" If you're a regular customer and donating, thrift stores will often let you know by phone or email when a specific item you're looking for arrives.
Step 5. Know how to spot a bargain
People often send items to thrift stores without knowing their true value. Consider the following when shopping at thrift stores:
- Brand Warranties - Some kitchen appliances and tools have lifetime warranties. For example, Le Creuset brand kitchen utensils are insured against rust, along with other cosmetic issues. Proof of purchase is not required to ship an item back to the factory for a replacement, free of charge.
- Antiques and Hidden Treasures: Despite the wear and tear and condition, items that make it to thrift stores are often priceless based on their rarity and place in history. If you suspect you've found such an antique, use your smartphone to look it up online and see the price other sellers have assigned it.
Part 3 of 4: Finding Thrift Stores
Step 1. Search online
Many thrift stores have websites that will appear in a basic search. Also consider using store-specific search engines to find smaller, independent stores alongside larger stores in your area.
Step 2. Consider the location
The types of residents that live around a thrift store can be a good indicator of the kind of items and the level of quality you can expect from a store. For instance:
- Thrift stores in wealthier neighborhoods carry better quality furniture than thrift stores elsewhere in the city. Well-off residents are also more likely to redecorate based on style rather than need, which means it may be easier to find good quality items to match.
- Thrift stores near college campuses always stock branded clothing.
Step 3. Shop at thrift stores when you go on vacation, if possible
This works best when you go on vacation by car. Especially if you're visiting a large city, larger-volume thrift stores tend to offer a wider selection of items, often of better quality. There is also the possibility that the trends in the area you visit are different from the area where you live and you could find unique and eclectic items.
Step 4. Use other places to shop with discounts
Thrift stores aren't the only source of bargains:
- Flea markets: show up early; 6 a.m. is a good estimate. Do a furniture search first, choosing what you want. Don't be afraid to haggle, but be fair to the seller. Once you've found furniture and large items, put them in your vehicle and look for smaller items: furniture, accessories, clothing, etc.
- Remittance stores - These are a type of thrift store that buys clothes from vendors rather than selling donations. This makes them more expensive than thrift stores but they are a reliable source for well-made, branded, and discounted clothing that is in vogue at the time of purchase.
- Neighborhood Garage Sales - While garage sales happen in every city almost every weekend, in order to maximize shopping and save time, look for neighborhood garage sales. These are often held in a single location, such as a church or school, or span several blocks, with people selling from their own garages. These are a great way to find furniture and antiques.
- Real Estate Sales - The ultimate source for lightly used antiques, from furniture and plates to jewelry and bedspreads. These take place literally in the "real estate" where a person lived and require a little more prior knowledge and research in order to get the best deals.
Part 4 of 4: Create a Timeline for Thrift Store Shopping
Step 1. Sign up for email lists and shop online wherever possible
Most chain thrift stores will put you on a contact list for coupons and bargain opportunities.
These same stores often take pictures of furniture and other "in demand" items and post them online. Checking the offer online before you buy can save you trips around town
Step 2. Shop by season
Anticipate what people will discard from their wardrobe at certain times during the year. When planning your thrift store visits, consider the following for certain items:
- Shop for summer clothes in the fall, when people are reducing their hot weather clothing in favor of sweaters and coats. The same goes for getting winter clothes in the spring.
- Look for kitchen supplies and accessories after college graduations. When students finish classes, they often go home or move to another city for work, leaving many kitchen items, lamps, bedding, etc., slightly used.
- Look for furniture during the summer and early fall. More people get married during the summer than at any other time of the year, and they often have duplicate furniture that ends up in thrift stores.
Step 3. Have a weekly rotation
Looking to get the best deals thrift stores have to offer? Create a weekly thrift store rotation that focuses on when new shipments arrive at each store. Other things to consider are:
- Buy early. If you want to be the first to choose, arrive as soon as the store opens.
- Buy late. On sale days, some stores are looking to ditch all sale items and will offer bigger discounts just before closing.
Warnings
- Wash and then wear. Thrift stores should wash clothes before putting them on the hangers. However, all linens, clothing, and blankets need to be washed or dry cleaned before use. This ensures health and safety against disease.
- Avoid personal products. Be careful when buying underwear or body products from thrift stores. Also remember that makeup items, even if they are sealed, have an expiration date. Cream blush and foundation, depending on age, can go rancid unopened. Never buy items that are already open, as makeup can cause or spread infections.