Clearance rack vs. thriftshop for clothes

[midnight]

Can anyone give me an opinion on what is usually the better deal with clothing - buying from the store clearance racks or at thriftshops? I guess I have this image that thriftshops have low quality items and so I don't do my clother shopping there. Am I wrong? I get good deals on the clearance racks. It is 70% or so off. Are thrift shops even cheaper?

[seaar2000]

I used to go to Goodwill but they have become so expensive! I went there to get a turtle neck and the lady at the register said it was $8.00. Told her no way! Went to JCPenny's and bought a turtle neck for $4.00 on clearance. Usually I go to St. Vincent de Paul's. There prices are very cheap and good quality. I have a hard time finding pants that are a 7/8 in the store. I always get my pants from there. One time I went and bought a pair of pants that had a the store tag still on them, $38, and I bought them for $3.00. Before they put their clothes on the racks they wash and iron them. This is at St. Vincent de Paul's. I do buy clothes at the store clearance rack also, but I always check the thrift stores first because it is a non-profit organization and all the money they get from their sales go back into the community and most of the people that work there are volunteers.

[henrybemis]

When I shop for clothes I shop at TJ Maxx, Filenes, and outlet stores. I recently lost a great deal of weight and needed several sweaters for the winter. I'm not bound by the ever changing trends of fashion. I like the classic styles. I bought several sweaters at TJ Max, Ralph Lauren sweaters in the boys section all under $12 that originally cost over $130. Finished my shopping for the year and I'm not inclined for more of what I don't need. I'd prefer to save and invest.
HB

[miclason]

you can find good quality at thrift stores, too, one easy way to check if an item is going to last is turn it inside out and check the stitching...it should be double stitching, and not too close to the trim of the clothes...

[mahanda]

i shop at thrift stores (st vincent's, salvation army, value village)and find high quality gently used clothing from talbot's, land's end, eddie bauer etc. for sweaters i usually search the men's racks first and am usually very happy with my purchases. i find the clearance racks have little to offer as i am a plus size lady.

[leewill72]

I think it depends on what you need or want. Our Goodwill has a 1/2 price sale the last weekend of the month every month where everything in the store is half price.
I work at Kohl's and we just marked everything to Clearance prices. All of the clearance prices are HIGHER than the item's clearance price. I would watch the sales ads for stores like that.

Consignment shops are a good bet to, they usually drop the price after they have had an item a certain amount of time. These are esp good if you have a sports fan in your house to get items with a local team's logo on them. We have several in our town, but i patronize the one that is run by a local church for their philanthropic purposes in the community.

[midnight]

How about for business clothing? Does Goodwill have a selection of it? I guess I really should go and visit my local store. I have to find out where it is first.

[PrincessPerky]

I would guess if you have to fill a wardrob fast for work, you might need to do both. Me personally I don't buy my clothes my DH does, and he has the patience for anything. I get fed up and wear the same ripped jeans before I look at the 50billionth pair that is prolly not my size.

[midnight]

I made a trip to the goodwill store this past weekend. I didn't find any work clothes, but I was surprised that some of the clothing was quite nice. It was very different than my image. I think I'll still get my work clothes on clearance or at consignement shops, but I will be going back.

[DivaJen]

My mother-in-law is one of the most stylish women I know, and she shops nearly exclusively at thrift stores! I think the trick is to go often, look thoroughly and buy when you find something of quality (even if the season is wrong).

I'm not kidding - she rubs elbows with some of the wealthier women in our twon and holds her own quite nicely.

[amomof4]

IMHO, thrift stores would give you a better buy. I think the clothes are better quality because they are used but still useful. Most of walmart clothes will never end up in a thrift store. Poor quality clothes don't last very long.

[DivaJen]

Originally Posted by amomof4

IMHO, thrift stores would give you a better buy. I think the clothes are better quality because they are used but still useful. Most of walmart clothes will never end up in a thrift store. Poor quality clothes don't last very long.

That's a good point. You can find high-quality goods for bargain prices, well below even clearance rack prices.

[the4parkers]

I do both.. our goodwill has gotten outrageous with their prices! I love to do clearance sales but with 2 boys i am finding it harder and harder to get to the mall unload the double stroller.. I really need to just leave them home some time and go.. i love consignment shops though.

[zakity]

See if your town has a Deseret Industries store. They wash their clothes also. I find that their prices are cheaper. It is a Mormon store and most people who aren't Mormon don't realize it is there.