If you’ve never been to a thrift store, it can definitely be intimidating. However, if you can get over the initially being overwhelmed, there are treasures and deals to be found!
I’ve been thrifting ever since high school when my friend, Jenni, who was from a small town, introduced me to her favourite pastime. So, not wanting to date myself, after ## years of experience under my belt, I’ve come up with some tips if you decide to venture to your local Salvation Army, Goodwill, Value Village, et al.!
1. Know what to expect. I find Salvation Army and Goodwill less organised than the more department store-style places like Value Village, but this organisation does come at a higher cost. VV has more staff that are paid to sort, price, and put away items in its place, so this will translate into higher priced items. Nevertheless, the higher prices + being organised = time saved with less frustration for your treasure hunt!
Depending on the age of the actual store, some are better maintained than others. Some will downright smell, so be prepared. Most of them are decent and just takes some getting used to.
Be patient as thrift shopping does require more time.
2. Grab a shopping cart! (YES, even if you have no intentions of buying.) There has been so many times that I’ve seen something, left it on the shelf/rack because I didn’t want to carry it, then went back for the item, only to discover that someone else grabbed the deal before I did. 🙁
3. Make a list. A producer friend of mine is making a film where the main character is a collector of Coke memorabilia, so I keep that in mind. And recently my stovetop espresso maker broke, so I needed a replacement, so I wrote that down too. I find that if a list grows and I don’t write it down, I will forget because there are soo many distractions in these stores!
4. Put it in the cart…even if you’re slightly interested in an item ’cause you can always change your mind later. See #7.
5. Ask the staff. If there’s something specific that you’re looking for, but don’t know where to find it, don’t be shy to ask the staff as they know the store better than you do! Some stores tend to rearrange things, so just because something was in a certain place one week, don’t assume that it’ll always be in the same spot.
6. Try it on. There are Fitting Rooms, so try on everything before you head to the cash register. If you want to skip the fashion show, be sure to ask for the store’s return policy.
7. Check it out before you check out. It’s not courteous to hold up the line by being iffy about each item. So do your dump prior to attempting check-out. The Fitting Room is usually the best bet to unload your “Nos”. There’s usually a rack/shopping cart for unwanted items that have to be put back. If in doubt, ask the staff and they’ll be happy that you’re trying to make their lives easier!
Additional tips:
– Senior’s/Student’s Day or Frequent Shopper Program. Look for signs or ask a staff member if they have any special discount days. Who knows, you may qualify for one!
– Bring a friend. Depending on what kind of shopper you are, consider bringing a friend. If&when I do, we usually go our separate ways, coming together at the Fitting Rooms to check out each other’s loot. You can even pick up something that doesn’t fit your friend, but looks great on you and vice-versa!
– Make a day of it. Pack the car with drinks and snacks, print out a map or GPS a few stores, load/charge up that iPod, and go. Think of it as a sort of cheap day-trip.
– Ask for a discount. If you’re eyeing something, but the price seems a tad too high, ask the supervisor for a discount. This is especially good for merchandise that’s been on the floor for a while, a sweater with a snag, a shirt with a stain, or a blazer that’s missing a button. There is always room for negotiation!
If you have any personal tips, share them in the comments section. Have fun!
Thanks for posting! I love thrifting, I do it constantly. It’s fantastic!
I keep a card with the actual measurements (not sizes)of anyone I might be shopping for written on it-many times the clothing has had the tags removed,or the sizing is off.Most 2nd hand shops have a tape measure handy for this exact purpose.I do this with windows,too if I’m looking for blinds/curtains.
whenever i get a chance i go thrift shopping. i like to look for jewelry and vintage bags.
Sniff armpits before you buy! Sounds gross, but it’s more gross to waste your money on clothes with the sweat permanently etched into the fabric. I bought the most beautiful 60’s mod red and black checkered peacoat with black fur trim, huffing with delight all the way home and wondering why anyone would EVER give it up. Once I got it home, I realized why… it had been owned by the world’s sweatiest woman. I Febrezed it, I coated it with baking soda and let it sit, I vinegared it, I aired it (for a year), I scrubbed it with detergent and a toothbrush… nothing helped. 🙁
Sandra, did you bring it to the cleaners and discuss your issue? Some drycleaners will get it out.
Hi
I volunteer at a local thrift shop and we mark down items when they are old stock and have been on the floor for awhile.
We do not mark down clothing and other items if people come to us and ask us to. It is not our store policy.
We find it insulting, as our prices are already rock bottom and all the money from our store goes to our local hospital. We have rent to pay, and heat and electricity, our store isn’t free to operate even though we have volunteers doing all the work.
Also the theft in our store is getting really bad, people trying to switch tags on merchandise and removing prices is increasing.
Stealing from our store and asking for markdowns is like stealing from the hospital and we all need hospitals at some time in our lives.
If I am going for clothes, I wear a tank top and sweats with slip on shoes. They make changing faster, and with the tank top, I try shirts and coats in the isle instead of waiting in the dressing room line ups. I dont take a purse, just tuck my credit card into my bra. Eat before you go. Keep an eye for the 50% off days at VV or Talize, they really make it worth it to go then. Good luck on future shopping trips.
I always sniff the armpits!!!
Little tiny change rooms make me cranky. I also like to try things on as I grab them, or in a large open area near a mirror. I wear easy on and off shoes, a tank top and leggings or workout pants so I can easily slip clothes on and off wherever I am comfortable.
When looking for tops I get down low in aisles and look for colours and fabrics I like, instead of flipping through every hanger, because I do not like shirts that are short. Most of the shirts in thrift stores are an older style, that meet your pants…not interested.
I do not like stained clothes. I’m really good at getting stains out but when I’ve bought something at the thirft store I prefer not to have to take it home and work at it to be able to wear it, unless I really really love it. I always take my final clothing items to a window to inspect them for stains one last time, in natural light.
FYI, Military towns always have tons of children’s clothing at their Thrift Stores.
i love to get baskets for 1.00 or 2.00,plus i have gotten gift bags- a bunch for 2.99 – so i got about 5 gift bags for 2.99 – really cheap when you think about it- sometimes i look at the candles too
I recently stopped thrift store shopping. I’m terrified of getting bedbugs!
just went yesterday and found the best lot for my son….7 brand NEW abercrombie and fitch tshirts and 2 pairs of gap shorts….there was tons of like new brand name kids clothes!!!!
Started shopping at thrift stores. Get so many deals and new items. Really watch item I will buy but over all good experiences. Do take day trip to do shopping at hit cities that have rich areas. Much nicer things I can find. Love it!!!
When purchasing anything other than clothing, ask the staff WHAT is returnable should you find something wrong with it after you get it home.
Goodwill will not return anything other than clothing, quite often things have stickers on them that are labelled “AS IS”.
Get there early on half-price day, the carts go really fast and it is hard to get one.
Great tips! I love shopping at thrift stores, you can get some amazing deals. Practically all of my children’s clothing comes from Value Village.
I love buying second hand clothing, but I also have a fear of bed bugs but with a few tips I have been able to continue to my favorite past time.
You can still shop at thrift stores if you know what to look for and are cautious about what you choose to bring home.
For clothing: Wash them as soon as you get home, most importantly dry them on high heat for at least 30 minutes. If you are not able to wash right away, then keep them in a sealed plastic bag until you do, make sure that you dispose of the bag and don’t reuse it.
For furniture: Check ALL the crevices and look for the bugs (check the internet to see pictures so you know what you are looking for- keeping in mind that they only look dark in color if they have recently feed, otherwise they are see see through) also look for black marking (similar to tar) along seems and/or crevices which are a sure sign that the furniture was infested, as this is their excrement.
I would not suggest that you purchase furniture if you suspect that it was infested with bed bugs as they are very difficult little critters to get rid off, since they can live without feeding for a very long time(6 months or more)
Many thrift stores have stopped selling mattresses due to the whole bb thing.
They also do a quick overview of furniture, but do look yourself to see if there are any signs of these creepy crawlies!
I have been shopping at thrift stores for over 20 years and have never had any creatures other than moths from the books in my stuff. Nor have a contracted any disease or bed bugs. Generally people who donate are giving and caring indivduals who want to help less forunate people.
Gosh, some high end stores have bed bugs… its not just thrift shops, at least thrift stores are more apt to watch for them.
I am on a mission to buy 90% of my wardrobe this year used. So far in 2011 the only new item I purchased was a pair of pantyhose. Great post
As for bedbugs, they are killed by cold, too. If you buy something that you can pop in the deep freeze for 24 hours, then go for it! Also, things can be left outside in winter in bags for the requisite time as well.
Sometimes people feel they are taking deals away from “poor” people if they shop the thrift shops. Remember that these stores support charities usually, and your purchases help maintain that!
Winter coats end up being a huge saving over retail especially.
Great blog… awesome comments!! Thanks!! 🙂
im curious to know if those commenting on this blog shop at thrift stores for the pieces (vintage, unique, etc) or the price?
Just so you guys get the idea…if you are relating all the secondhand merchandising stores to charity or the good-will, oasis boxes to charity…are not really for the charity, its pure business that runs on manipulation of good human nature.There are lots of company that gets clothes from these boxes, to use the name of hospital, or other charity organization they pay small fees…those clothes are exported to other countries…charities really receives little fees. There are lots of company that does sorting of these kind of goods. Even the stores are run by businesses…they just pay some amount to charity. So you do get good deal may be but you are just giving in to big business.
jeep – I mainly shop their for the SELECTION. I find many mall stores look and probably carry the same merchandise, but with a different brand/price tag! Despite the higher prices, the quality isn’t that great.
I also like vintage styles.
Shopping @ thrift stores are awesome! At first, I felt so awkward looking for clothes because most people my age would not be caught buying second hand clothes. Well, I found many great brands such as ZARA, GAP, Jacobs, etc and the prices were really reasonable compared to retail. 🙂
If anyone wants to see fashion inspiration mixed with thrift clothes, check out http://www.youtube.com/user/clothesencounters
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