Thrift%20ShopTHRIFT SHOPPING 101

 

Thrift stores are diverse. They are everywhere. Some are big national chains.Some are run by small or medium-sized nonprofits to support their organization's main cause.  Some are small,  family-owned stores that  purchase their goods from the charities and resell it, some are for-profit companies that operate thrifts for charitable organizations. However they're set up, shopping thrifts will always provide a BONUS! Some, if not all, of your purchase goes to help support charitable organizations that really need the cash.

If you've never been 'thrifting' you simply have not lived! Whether you shop for 'entertainment', for a bargain, to keep your budget happy or 'cause you like the 'thrill' of chasing down a great deal; any one or all of those objectives are easily met at your local thrift.

Shopping is shopping. There are, however, a few things you should know that will make your thrift shopping experience lots more fun!

  1. All thrift stores are NOT alike. Some sell everything. Some sell mostly clothing. Some sell a mixture of stuff. Some are very selective about what they put in their stores (like WExchange); some throw everything they receive in the store, regardless of condition.
  2. Each store has it's own policies and procedures. Some don't take checks or credit cards. Some stores have designated sale days, designated sale days for each category they offer, some have sales only when their store gets overstocked and they need to clear out some room. Don't assume they all work alike.
  3. There are thrift stores that have the labor available to organize their stores very well with great signage. There are stores that color code their clothing but don't size it. Some size the clothing. Lots just throw clothing on racks and the stuff on the shelves. Be prepared. The less organized a store is, the longer it will take you to 'shop'! But, if you like to root around and pile through stuff, in some stores you'll have a blast!
  4. WExchange individually prices almost every item in the store except for certain categories like adults and children's shoes. However, it's not uncommon for a thrift to post one main price board listing the cost of items according to their category. This saves them a lot of labor, and therefore money. If you don't find a price on most of the items, be sure to look around for adjacent signs or ask at the sales desk for their pricing structure.
  5. Don't argue about the price. Those working in the stores will kiss your feet. Can you imagine being in their shoes where everyone who walks in the door attempts to haggle over the price, get 'a deal' or a discount? Makes for a very long day. Most thrift store  prices are darn cheap anyway. Be real. They are priced to sell and  raise funds for  good causes. Don't be a cheapskate. If you think it's cheaper at the dollar store down the street, go and buy it from them instead of arguing. If the price is that outrageous to you, if you wait and come back in a few weeks it will no doubt be on sale and you can buy it then.
  6. Many of the people running thrift stores are volunteers and are doing it out of the goodness of their heart. Treat them to a cheery smile and a short chat and let them know they're doing a good job.
  7. If you like it - buy it. If something  catches your eye,  it will catch someone elses eye. If you wait and dither the chances are high it will be gone by the time you finally make up your mind.
  8. Be creative. Think about how you can reuse some of the stuff that appeals to you that you find. Think ahead for birthdays and holidays - for decorations, that odd little thing that you know someone will like because they're 'into'  - 'fill in the blank!'. Buy it and tuck it away. You'll soon have the reputation of giving the coolest gifts!
  9. Most thrifts operate on an 'All Sales Final' policy. You buy it - you own it. Be sure to inspect all clothing carefully. Check collars, underarms and the seams in pants or slacks for strength and wear. Check zippers work. The stuff you are looking at in thrifts has ended up at the end of a long line of sifting - by the donator and finally the thrift store staff. When faced with continual mountains of donations to sort and price, thrifts try to do a good job with the help available to them to avoid placing defective goods in their stores. But it is very possible things got missed. Check electrical appliances work before you buy it. Make sure all pieces and parts to things are there if they are important to the function of the item. Double-check that your purchase is not on a recall list, especially if it's a children's toy or piece of equipment. Again, the stores try to be very concscientious of safety - but sometimes things just slip through the cracks. Go here to check for recalls: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/thrift/thriftck.html
  10. There's never a bad time of day or time of year to shop thrift stores. Donations may be heavier during traditional 'clean-out' times of year like spring and fall, but lots of donations are made year round. Shopping often is the real key!