Thrift Store Shopping Tips
What's Up?
Got limited money to spend on a new outfit, book, or game? Or maybe you just enjoy the thrill of finding a bargain. Shop the thrift stores with verve and find what you are looking for.
Idea
Widen your horizons about where to shop for the perfect outfit, accessory, book, or game. Finding the right outfit at the right price can be a challenge. Many times you have a limited funds. Make your dollar stretch to cover the things you need or want.
Shop a thrift store today.
How Does It Help?
It helps the progress of the three R fundamentals: reduce, reuse, and recycle. People have recycled their belongings to the thrift store, and you are reusing them instead of buying new. A bonus is that you have spent less money than you would have for new. Also think about giving back to the thrift store items that do not fit, or you do not use or wear anymore. Continue the cycle of reusing and recycling.
Many thrift stores support not for profit organizations. The net profits go to the charity to help their cause. Usually the cause the store supports is in their name or listed plainly insight.
Thrift Store Shopping Tips
Be Patient
It takes time and perseverance to hunt through thrift stores for what you are looking for. The stores are often organized by category (pants, shirts) but it takes time to go through a section of shirts to find the right color, size, and style.
Be Organized
Keep an on-going list of what you need. For example, a top to go with this pair of pants, or earrings for this outfit. When you visit the store go through your list to ensure you have looked for each of those items.
Be Visionary
Be open to what you find or see at a store. Look at furniture and envision it with a coat of polish or change of hardware - it might be quite beautiful. Or a piece of jewelry that when cleaned is stunning.
Go to stores outside your local area as they might have items that your local one will not.
Be Educated
Go to department stores and look on-line to gain an understanding of brand names, pricing, and the quality of different brands. This will help you be a more educated shopper when you are perusing the racks. If you know that this brand of sweater wears better than another brand, that can help you make a decision. Being educated can also help you understand the value you are receiving.
Be educated on what stains come out easily of what fabrics, or what can be fixed. An item might be great except for one small spot. Depending on the fabric, the spot can come out or not. Also know your limitations of what you can fix. A button is something easy to put on, but zippers are much more complicated.
Know Your Store(s)
Many stores offer discount days or discounted tag codes. Beware of what day sales are or when a new sale will start. Ask the clerks about their store. For example, at a thrift store I frequent, last season clothing will all go to a $1 for a one day sale. I always make it a point to ask since the sale is not advertised.
Locate where your store might put higher end items. It is always good to understand the flow of the store as it will help you in the long run find what you are looking for.
Know the Quirks
Most thrift stores do not have dressing rooms. I suggest wearing tights and small top if you want to try the clothes on over your regular clothes.
If you see an item you might be interested in pick it up and hold onto it. If you don't it might not be there when you go back.
Review all your items before purchasing. I take mine to the end of a rack and look for stains, rips, missing pieces, etc.. I then evaluate do I need it or not. A rule of thumb can be if it is under a $1, and you decide you do not like it, then you are just re-gifting the thrift store with an item. Pick your own rule of thumb.
Manage Your Expectations
When you visit a thrift store you might not always find what you are looking for. It might take numerous trips, or altering what will go with an outfit or what you want or need.
Shop Often
Many of the amazing or unique things go quickly, often within hours or days. Try to add ten minutes into your schedule to peruse a store when you are in the area. Your success rate could be greatly improved.
Website
Here is an excellent website that has very comprehensive list of thrift stores by area.
