How To Shop at a Thrift Store

If you've read Thrift Store Shopping: Find Common Items for Less, you know that I regularly shop at thrift stores. I hesitate to say there's an art to thrifting, but there are definite strategies to successful thrift store shopping.

Find out the "deal days." Nearly every thrift store runs specials each day of the week. One day might be 50% off all adult clothing day, or half-off "boutique" clothing, which is the thrift store equivalent of higher-end clothes. Call the thrift store for the daily special and get an idea of which deal runs on each day. "Deal days" save you even more money then you already do by thrifting.

Find out when the thrift store stocks new donations. One Goodwill I visited regularly stocked the floor on Tuesdays, so I knew that would be a good day to see the "new" stuff before it was picked over by other customers.

Do a quick survey of each area before you stop and browse. Some areas are better stocked than others. I first take a look at big items like furniture, electronics, and decorative accessories because I can quickly see if there is anything of value. Then, I check out the kid's toys and books section. Again, I can very quickly see if there's anything worth buying or games the kids have requested or don't have yet. I move to shoes next because it's easy to tell if there are new shoes on display or just junk. Lastly, I go to clothes. I scan the racks first to check for new clothes with tags, then browse deeper if the selection looks especially good that day. After awhile, you develop a knack for quickly identifying quality fabrics and brands. For instance, I can pick out a Gap or Banana Republic item in a few seconds due to the manufacturer's signature style and stitching.

Look by the dressing rooms for discarded items. It's often in this area I find the best items because someone has already done the looking and maybe that cool shirt will fit you when it doesn't fit them.

Know that location can make a difference. Not surprisingly, I've found that thrift stores in upper-middle-class or wealthy neighborhoods yield better finds. This stands to reason since the donors will usually also be upper middle-class and wealthy. It was in one of these neighborhoods that I found a pair of new designer heels, which retail for $600, for $12.

There you have it. A few tried and true tricks from a die-hard thrifter. I hope they work as well for you as they have for me. Now get out there and start looking!

Photo courtesy of Cohdra.