Thrift Store Shopping

Thrift Store Shopping

Frugal living is a goal that many of us try to achieve. In a day and age with rising costs of living, natural disasters, and changing market places, this goal can be difficult to achieve. As soon as you find one place to cut back, those savings are shifted to something else. Thrift store shopping is one way to promote frugal living. In this article we will define thrift stores, how to navigate them, and how to actually use them to save money.

What is a thrift store?

There are many stores out there that we call thrift stores. In actuality, there are three basic types of low-cost alternatives to regular big box shopping – thrift, resale, or consignment stores. All three can be found in brick and mortar stores or online and are great places to search for bargains. In this article, we discuss brick and mortar stores.

Thrift Stores

These are shops that are run as a charity. Often, they are associated with a larger parent organization such as the Salvation Army or Goodwill. The profits from sales are used to meet the goals of the charity. Merchandise is acquired through community donations. They may provide other services to the poor or an under-served group.

These stores should be willing to explain the charities they represent or affiliate with. If they are unwilling to do so, the store may not be a true charity.

Resale Store

A resale store may appear to be a thrift store on the surface. In fact they are stores that are for-profit businesses. The merchandise will be similar to thrift stores in price, quality and selection.

Consignment Store

These stores are for-profit retail shops. Individuals place items in the store to sell and the store charges a commission on the sale. Merchandise may be new or used. Generally, consignment shops are very selective in the merchandise they place in their stores. Prices and quality may be higher than the other two types of stores. They may also have return and guarantee policies.

How do I find a thrift store?

The best place to find a thrift store is to look in the phone book. Look under the terms thrift store or consignment. You may be surprised at how many are in your area. Second, ask friends and neighbors. Perhaps, your local hospital runs a thrift store to support the hospital. Or perhaps, a local church has a thrift store that is only open once a week. Some organizations, like the Junior League, run one large sale a year. Investigate all possibilities and create a list with addresses, store hours, and phone numbers.

Get Ready!

Before you actually step into a thrift store, you need to get ready. There is nothing worse than stepping into a store and getting overwhelmed with the size or quantity of stuff to wade through. You need a plan and goal. In this section we will discuss making a plan and setting goals, what to wear, and how to be mentally prepared.

Plans and Goals

First evaluate why you are going to a thrift store. If you want to find, say a shirt or golf clubs, than create a list. It doesn’t matter at this point if you will actually find your items. The list is your first step in creating a plan.

Second, create a budget. How much money are you willing to spend? The goal, of course, is to save money. But to save money, you need to know how much you can spend. If your goal is find a shirt for $5 or less, than you will know what your budget is for a shirt. Write down your approximate budget next to the items on your list.

Third, decide which store to go to first. It may the store furthest away or the largest. Or perhaps, it is the one that will most likely have the golf clubs. Evaluate the most efficient use of your driving time and gas money, and decide to only visit the stores that would be the most helpful.

If you are shopping for someone else, have a small notebook listing sizes and preferences. Bring a tape measure so you can measure items in the store.

What to Wear

Comfortable is the key word here. Wear comfortable shoes that you can stand and walk in for long periods of time. If you plan to try on clothes, wear clothes that are easy to take on and off. Do not wear heavy make-up. You may damage clothes you try on with make-up smears.

If you go to a thrift store in the winter and have to wear a large coat, do not carry a large purse. Nothing is more annoying than having a purse strap falling off your shoulder over a large coat. Instead put a small wallet into a coat pocket that zips or snaps shut.

In fact, it is probably best to not take a purse at all. Leaving a purse in a shopping cart or bag when your attention is diverted makes you vulnerable to theft. Plus, you need to keep your hands as free as possible so you can shift through merchandise quickly and easily.

How to Think

Thrift store shopping should be fun. By planning ahead, you have taken a lot of the stress out of entering the store. Finding that great bargain takes work, but it can pay off. If you reach a point during your shopping trip that you get frustrated or tired – then stop. You can always go back next week.

Set, Go!

Ok, now you are in the stores. You have your list and budget. You are dressed to wade through piles of clothes. Your mood is upbeat and you know you will find that great bargain. Now what? Here are a few shopping tips to make your trip easier and more successful:

First, head to the racks or shelves that might contain your items. Don’t waste time looking at other things that catch your eye. You can go back and look at them later. Browse through multiple sizes, when shopping for clothes. Often things get misplaced or sized wrong by a store clerk or customer.

Always, try on clothes before you buy them. Something that looks great on a hanger may not actually fit you. Spending $2 on a pair of pants that are too short is $2 wasted.

Check for stains, holes, tears, and bothersome odors. Unless you have lots of time, don’t bother with items that need repair. Often, you will end up with a repair pile at home that eats up valuable space and time. Check for broken or missing components. If possible, ask to plug in an appliance to test it out first. Sit on furniture. Look under, around and through things. You don’t want any surprises when you bring something home.

Before you head to the register. Quickly browse the rest of the store. You may find something that is a great bargain that will fulfill a need. If you are under budget, then feel free to compromise with your list. It is ok to be flexible from time to time as long as you don’t blow your budget. The goal is to save money.

I didn’t find what I was looking for.

No need to worry. Thrift stores turn over their merchandise frequently - sometimes daily, more often weekly. If you have time and patience, then plan on weekly trips. Ask the sales clerks what day is best to shop. Perhaps they put out new merchandise on Wednesdays. If possible, they could take your name and phone number and call you when something comes in. It never hurts to ask.

If you shop at the same stores frequently, the sales clerks will recognize you and work with you. It is in their best interest to help a willing buyer!

With proper planning, patience, and persistence, you can easily navigate thrift stores. It can be fun! What’s more, it can save you lots of money.

Written by Esther Melander

Owner of Tinypackages.com (http://www.tinypackages.com), a store selling new and gently used infant and toddler clothing. Esther has several years experience in the fashion industry and has designed children’s clothing sold in big box retail and specialty boutique stores.