It is often best to have a “master list” and then create a smaller list of short term goals that need to be addressed first. Some flexibility should be in your list. You may not be able to find a pink silk organza dress in size 16, for example–that may be too exacting to be handled by thrifting. But you may be able to find a nice dress in size 16 for your stepsister’s graduation if you search well enough. Be prepared to search for your needs. Some thrift stores are well-organized by gender, size, type of item, or other metrics such as color. Others are a free-for-all of bins and warehouse space. Prior to thrifting, thoroughly examine your closet and do an inventory of it. Note down which pieces you might have not worn yet that month. Through this, you can become inspired to find a particular item to match the clothing and finally wear it! You can also prevent buying clothing similar to what you already have.
Ask for a fitting room with a mirror or a convenient restroom. Dress in form-fitting attire in case a fitting room is not available. That way you can try on clothing over your existing clothes. Leggings and sports bras can be useful in this. To eyeball if a garment will fit around your waist without trying it on: button it, and then wrap it around yourself from bellybutton to spine.
If looking at clothing, check seams, cuffs and collars for wear and damage. A button might be a simple fix, but that may not be the case with a ripped-out seam. Look for staining, especially around the neck, armpit, and inseam. Dirt, lint, and animal hair can often be laundered, but there are no guarantees. For furniture, make sure that it is sturdy and does not require repairs you are unable to perform. For appliances, ask to plug the item in to make sure it works before purchasing. Check the washing instructions. Getting a silk shirt for $3 initially looks like a great deal; however, when you consider that it’s “dry clean only,” the savings aren’t nearly so great.
Recognize when a clothing item could be repaired or resized with minimal tailoring. Have a style and color scheme in mind for each room you are decorating. This ensures consistency of theme and avoids impulse purchases. Listen to your gut. Sometimes you may come across an item that you weren’t looking for but which is unique, classic, and perfect for a place in your home.
Go shopping with a price limit in mind and stick to it. This may be a limit you set per item, or for the overall trip, but the idea is to remain mindful of how much you are spending. Don’t buy it unless you really love it. Just because it is inexpensive does not necessarily mean it is for you. Would you buy the item if it were full-priced? Buy that designer jacket that you could not afford at the mall. Ditto for the jeans that might be a bit worn, but you really like that look. But do you really need that shirt that you kind of like but is cheap? Probably not. If you are on the fence about something, take another spin around the store and think about it. If you come back and aren’t committed, it wasn’t meant to be.
Don’t be afraid to haggle. Did you just miss a sale on a large item purchase? Are you making multiple purchases and want to round off the total? Don’t be afraid to ask for reasonable accommodation, especially if you are a regular customer. Don’t believe the “SOLD” sign. Sometimes the item is already paid for; however, often people say they will come back for something then find something else they like better at a different store. If you see something you love with a sold sign, talk to an employee and/or manager. It’s possible the item has been sitting like that for days and no one remembered to remove the sign. Ask for a discount. Does the item in question have a few flaws that are worth a discount? Is the store running a sale that day? If you are buying sale items, often employees can extend the sale to the rest of the items in your purchase. Some stores also have senior discounts.
Belts: Accessories like belts are one of the first items to get decommissioned from a wardrobe when styles change. An advantage to belts is that, with a little creativity, the buckles can be replaced and a strip of plain leather doesn’t really go out of style. Shoes: Decent leather shoes command steep prices in most retail stores, so when you can pick up gently used ones at a thrift store for 90% less, it’s a significant savings for your budget. Plus with a little oil and polish, they can look brand new. [8] X Research source Furniture: Sometimes retail stores will donate last season’s merchandise to area thrift stores for tax purposes. In addition, vintage furniture can be recovered, repainted, or reupholstered with new fabric to look like a chic DIY dream. [9] X Research source Jeans: New branded jeans can run from $50 to upwards of $200 dollars while shopping for next-to-new, second-hand jeans usually means paying $10-25 a pair. Especially after Christmas, it’s easy to find them with tags still intact.
What days do shipments arrive? Employees can tell you what days they get new items in and when things go on sale. Who are they partnered with? They can tell you whether their store has a donation program with a larger retail store where they take possession of clearance items from a prior season. Have you seen a particular item? If you are a regular customer and make donations, thrift stores will often let you know via phone or email when a specific item you are looking for comes in.
Brand warranties: Some appliances and kitchen tools have lifetime warranties. For example, Le Creuset cookware is ensured against rust along with other cosmetic issues. Proof of purchase is not required to send an item back to the factory and receive a replacement, free of charge. Antiques and hidden treasures. Despite wear and condition, items often go to thrift stores that are invaluable, based on their rarity and place within history. If you suspect you’ve found such an antique, use a smart phone to look for it online and see the price tag other sellers have placed on it. Tarnish. Tarnished metals looks terrible, but are often easy to shine up with the right polish.
Thrift stores in more affluent neighborhoods have better quality furnishings than thrift stores in other parts of town. Also, residents in affluent areas are more likely to redecorate based on style rather than necessity, meaning that it can be easier to find matching items of good quality. Thrift stores near college campuses are always stocking name brand clothing.
Flea markets. Show up early— 6am is a good start. Do a sweep for furniture items first, picking and choosing what you want. Don’t be afraid to haggle, but be fair to the seller. Once you’ve found furniture and larger items, load them and look for smaller items– furniture, accessories, clothing, etc. [12] X Research source Consignment stores. These are a type of second-hand store that purchases clothing from sellers as opposed to selling donations. This makes them more expensive than thrift stores, but they are a dependable source of well-made, discounted, name brand clothing that is in fashion at the time of purchase. Neighborhood yard sales. While yard sales occur in every city almost every weekend, in order to maximize shopping and save time, look for neighborhood yard sales. These often take place in a single location, like a church or school, or span several blocks, with people selling from their own yards. These are a great way to find furniture and antiques. Estate sales. The ultimate source for gently used antiques, ranging from furniture and dishes, to jewelry and quilts. These take place literally on the “estate” where a person lived and require a little more foreknowledge and research in order to get the best deals. [13] X Research source
These same stores often take pictures of furniture and other “in demand” items and post them online. Reviewing online offerings before shopping can save you trips around town.
Shop for summer clothes in the fall when people are thinning out their warm weather clothes in favor of sweaters and coats. The same goes for getting winter clothes in the spring. Look for kitchen items and accessories after college graduations. When students are done with school, they often move back home or to a new city for employment, leaving behind many gently-used kitchen items, lamps, bedding items, etc. Look for furniture during the summer and early fall. More people get married during the summer than any other time of year and often have duplicate furniture items that wind up at thrift stores.
Shop early. If you want to get first pick, arrive as the store opens. Shop late. On sale days, some stores are looking to clear out all items on sale, and will offer deeper discounts just before closing.
