My name is Kristin and I am addicted to shopping.
No, not your average 'Macys - One Day Sale!' type of shopping. I am addicted to the thrill of the find. The thrill of the unknown. The musky smell of clothes long forgotten. I am addicted to Thrift Store Shopping.
Anybody who knows me knows that I maybe buy new clothing from a store, oh, twice a year at this rate. I discovered thrift store shopping before my son was born - mostly just to buy his clothing... then I realized that people were kind enough to donate some of the most amazing brand items in MY size.. and MY style. Wow. The thrill was amazing. An almost literal high. The first thing I do when anyone comes to visit me? Ask if they want to thrift shop! I have gotten my mother addicted, my best friend - among many others!
(A sample of a pile of clothing I purchased from a thrift store. $2 shoes, $3 shorts $2 skirt, and a $4 american eagle skirt.)
Now, I take great pride when people ask me "Where did you get that!?" and I can reply "A Thrift Store! It was $x.xx new with tags! Awesome, right!?"
To bring my love and get others in this downward economy to do the same, here it is. My Thrift Store Bible. Read it closely. Soak it in. Make it yours. GO SHOP!!!
(A heavy duty Talbots Jacket. Size large. Purchased for $1.50 - originally over $250 - She's for sale!!)
First things first. You need to know the difference between a thrift shop, a resale shop, and a consignment shop:
(wording after the red areas is blissfully borrowed from this page:
Consignment shops accept merchandise on a consignment basis, paying owners a percentage when and if the items are sold. Most pay consignors from 40 to 60% of the selling price, and have a policy of displaying goods for anywhere from 60 to 90 days, although there is a wide range of policies. Some consignment shops also purchase additional items outright from individual owners and/or wholesalers.
A thrift shop is run by a Not For Profit organization to raise money to fund their charitable causes. These range from The Salvation Army/ Goodwill type to the small volunteer-run church thrift shops. These can obtain goods through outright donation or they could operate on a consignment basis. Some thrifts do both.
(A Sarah Luna Dress - Purchased for $7 - Retailed over $250!, Charlotte Russe shoes - $1 at a thrift store on a military base)
From my experience - the majority of the best priced items are going to be found at a thrift store. Why? Because they are donation. They were free to start - and the price will be priced for a quick sale for the non-profit. They aren't scanning for brand names (and to be honest, the majority of them would not know an extremely valuable item when they see it)! But, you will have to do some digging. You maybe find one or two items in a whole store out of thousands, but you will walk out of their will one heck of a deal - and feel proud of yourself for finding it!
(This Members Only peplum motorcycle jacket was purchased from a Resale Store (wicked Thrift) foor $20. She was too pretty to leave.)
As for consignment and resale shops - the owners have a right to be more picky. They know labels, they know brands. The only plus side in my opinion, is that you will find a store full of items they are in great condition, beautiful, and ready to be bought. But the markup, is insane. I have seen wet seal tops selling for $15 - which I would never pay for an unused item. You find the occasional score (I once bought a rare 1990's Coach bag for $30. That would not have mattered except it was in a rare navy color - I sold it on e-bay for $150) - or specific item on your lust list at a discount - but for your run of the mill 'let's go treasure shopping!' - this is not your place.
(Authentic 1970's Christian Dior Sunglasses. GREAT condition. Purchased for $18 - Soon to be placed on e-bay for $150!)
Now, for my thrifting tips:
The day of the week matters. For instance, most people do spring cleaning on my weekend. My local thrift shops are all church run, therefore they are closed on Sunday and Mondays (it's a shore town, thing). The Tuesday they come back they have to empty the donation boxes and get to work. So a Tuesday, or early Wednesday morning is the best for my area.
Also, most thrift stores have a certain day of the week they will do a steep discount. In my area, the majority do a Wednesday discount (aka, Wacky Wednesday!). Three stores I know if do an additional 50% off of all women's clothing and accessories on this day, and another I know of allows you to draw from a bucket of paper slips to get in between 10 - 100% off of your purchase! Call ahead of time and ask if their is a certain discount day - and visit ONLY that day. I know that most goodwill's even have a military discount day!
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(Stuart Weitzman Shoes - Purchased for 5 whole bucks. J'adore!!!)
Get on the mailing/e-mail list. Many thrift stores have one! You will know about end of season clearance ahead of time (so mark your calendar! They are worth it!) and any specials/coupons they are offering! One specific store, my favorite, had a one year anniversary sale where you could fill a brown paper bags with as many items as you could fit from the store for $5!! The same day, I ended up with an Escada Black label suit for $1 because a single button fell off (but was attached with a pin!) - that I sewed back on... and sold for about $200 on e-bay.
Volunteer!! It is a great way to give back - but to also get first grabs at items and a steep volunteer discount!
(purchased this pleated pink maxi skirt for $1, and the top for $0.50)
Search high, and search low! Thing's are placed in as many corners as the store has. Many times, there can be bins under the racks. Ask if you are allowed to search through them.. and take your pick! Most people are too shy to ask. But you aren't, right? ;).
If you have a smart phone - BRING IT WITH YOU! Use the google shopping tab to search out specific items you are considering buying to make sure you are getting a deal. I have on several occasions felt I was picking up a huge name brand item - only to find out it was so and so for SEARS, or so and so for K-MART.. big letdown.
If you LOVE goodwill - Keep this in mind. In some locations they have a shopper reward card (much like the one at your grocery store) and can earn money to use towards future purchases. Ask your cashier if it is available at your store. Also, find out if you have a goodwill distribution center near you! you can actually buy clothing BY THE POUND!!!! Amazing, right!? No tags. Just poundage. We have one in Boston that I am dying to visit :D
If you have a smart phone - BRING IT WITH YOU! Use the google shopping tab to search out specific items you are considering buying to make sure you are getting a deal. I have on several occasions felt I was picking up a huge name brand item - only to find out it was so and so for SEARS, or so and so for K-MART.. big letdown.
If you LOVE goodwill - Keep this in mind. In some locations they have a shopper reward card (much like the one at your grocery store) and can earn money to use towards future purchases. Ask your cashier if it is available at your store. Also, find out if you have a goodwill distribution center near you! you can actually buy clothing BY THE POUND!!!! Amazing, right!? No tags. Just poundage. We have one in Boston that I am dying to visit :D
(Purchased this skirt for $1 as well! The shoes area real leather.. had retail tags of $160 - scored for $15 on e-bay ;) )
For finding your perfect thrift store:
The majority of my favorites are church run thrift shops. My thinking for this may not please everyone... but their are some people who really, really like to give back to the church. And my, oh, my do they. Their charity = my closet. Church thrift stores in ritzy parts of town are a hugeeeee plus. Actually, most thrift stores in ritzy areas are worth your time.
Thrift Store Locator:
http://www.thethriftshopper.com/
Here are some great resources for you:
How to Shop Resale:
http://www.tgtbt.com/consumer.htm
I hope this helps. If I think of anything else, I will post it in the future. Until then, ask questions - I am more than happy to help!
Sincerely,
Kristin
For finding your perfect thrift store:
The majority of my favorites are church run thrift shops. My thinking for this may not please everyone... but their are some people who really, really like to give back to the church. And my, oh, my do they. Their charity = my closet. Church thrift stores in ritzy parts of town are a hugeeeee plus. Actually, most thrift stores in ritzy areas are worth your time.
Thrift Store Locator:
http://www.thethriftshopper.com/
Here are some great resources for you:
How to Shop Resale:
http://www.tgtbt.com/consumer.htm
I hope this helps. If I think of anything else, I will post it in the future. Until then, ask questions - I am more than happy to help!
Sincerely,
Kristin
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