Thrift stores can be intimidating and
overwhelming, especially if you’re shopping at a larger thrift store. However,
it doesn’t have to be. You need this guide if you’re tired of not knowing if
you’re getting the best deal while thrift shopping! Thrift stores can be a
fantastic spot to find all kinds of wonderful treasures, and using this guide;
you can learn how to find the best stuff in any thrift store.
How to Find the Best Stuff in Any Thrift Store
Did you know I worked at Goodwill when I was younger? I collected my thoughts from my time spent working there. Read more:
Lessons Learned From my Time as a Goodwill Employee
Know what is in stock at your
thrift stores
Anyone who does thrift shopping knows each
store has a different inventory. While some thrift shops can be a mishmash of
miscellaneous items, others are a step above the rest. You can even spot
differences between various Goodwills in your area. Start looking through your
local thrift stores to get a feel for what kinds of items are the best “finds”
at these thrift shops. For example, Habitat stores will have much better
furniture, whereas Goodwill will have much better clothing and books.
This is the one tip I usually only share with my closest friends! It's my secret to finding the best stuff and always the section I look at first.
Shop the Rack
Unless I'm told I can't, I always shop the racks the employees are using to put the newest items out. The employees may give you the side eye but be respectful as you browse and stay out of their way so they can do their job.
Don’t shop on a weekend
Weekends are the worst time to go thrift
shopping. During the week, most people work and save their thrift shopping for
the weekends. By Saturday, thrift stores will be crowded, and all the good
items will already be gone. Not only that, most of the sorters that are sending out new items, usually aren't sending out the best stuff on the weekend. I use my weekends to shop garage sales!
My favorite thrift store is Goodwill Outlet. Don't miss these tips if you are shopping the outlet for the first time!
Be on the lookout for price
gouging
This is where knowing your prices is very
important. Stores such as Goodwill have even been known to price gouge. If a
higher-end brand enters a donation bin, you can guarantee that any thrift shop
will put a more expensive sticker on that item. Keep an eye out for deals on
lesser-known name brands that might fly under the radar.
Find out when items are marked
down
Stores will often run promotions or coupons,
even at big-name stores such as Goodwill. Find out what days of the week items
are marked down at your particular stores, and look out for special deals. Some
stores also have big sales throughout the year, such as Halloween blowouts
where prices are 50% off or random liquidation sales. Sign up for your local
thrift store’s email list, so you don’t miss these flash sales and deals.
Don’t be afraid to do some price
comparing
Do you want to know if you’re really getting a
good deal or just buying something overpriced? Check Amazon or eBay on your
phone while you’re shopping. You can comparison shop for similar items and
ensure you’re not getting scammed.
Know what not to buy
Some things aren’t going to be a good deal no matter how cheap you find them at a thrift store. If you find something you love, but it's not in the right size, unless you are a master seamstress, you are never going to fix it to make it work! Don't just fall for a good deal!
Smart people know how to make a thrift store
work instead of just searching through piles of junk. Hopefully, this guide
will help you find a great deal the next time you go thrift store shopping and
even find something unexpected. Remember that prices and inventory change
regularly, so if you want to find the best deal while shopping, you need to go
to the stores regularly.
Don't miss this:
Thrift store decor finds!
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