OMG I Love The Thrift Store!!

[smileybear]

I decided a few weeks back to try the local thrift shops nearby for some clothes for work (we are business casual every day). We ave two Goodwill stores, and another nonprofit has two branches nearby. I was stunned at what I found! My best buy: A 100% silk Jones New York dress, original tags still on it, for $5. I bought it thinking I could sell it on eBay but it fit me perfectly and I wore it to a business dinner!

I've gotten silk blouses, all under $3 each, some designer names, great summer skirts and dresses, all of which are perfect for work, and i am wearing a few outfits to a 3-day conference in August.

The topper this weekend was that my son wanted to upgrade his bike to a 20" 6-speed bike, selling his curent one to pay for it. We couldn't find anything in stores under $125 - but there, right at the front of the store on Sat., was the exact kind of bike we were looking for - virtually brand new - for $40. Everything worked perfectly - and he's crazy about it!

Unfortunately, none of these places has much in the way of kids' clothing. I thought of posting something int he neighborhood about setting up a trade.

I can go in and get 3 outfits for under $20 - one store publishes 25% coupons, and the other has a frequent-buyer discount card for $5 - well worth it.

Honestly, I probably won't buy clothing anywhere else unless I have to.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

That all sounds wonderful! I don't often go to a thrift store anymore because I pretty much have everything I need. I'm really thankful to people who donate their usable items to such charities. It's great knowing that so many things can have a second life-- or finally begin their first life (speaking of those items new with tags).

[sounderella]

Oh yeah I hear ya! I had a good day there last Saturday. Old Navy, The Limited, a bread maker for $6....it was great! I had the same problem finding DS some clothes....he's in 24 mths-2T and I couldn't find a thing.

[meatloafkend]

I have been going to thrift stores recently as well. My idea was also to sell to Ebay, but I could not believe the amount of stuff I actually found for myself. New appliances, new clothes, new coats. it was awesome!

[ScrimpAndSave]

I really need to go and check it out!

[ThriftoRama]

I usually hit the baby resale stores for clothes. I find most everything for $2 or less.

[Secret Stash]

I love them too. I often take my old things to make a few bucks on it.

[asianpear]

I get all of my work clothes from either goodwill, thrift shops, or a teen designer consignment shop named Plato's Closet. Their jeans are all worn in and fit perfectly, so it's a win in my book. I can't really bear the thought of consignment underwear or shoes though, that's just a little too much.

[Coleroo]

That's how I got into thrift store shopping - going there first with the idea to sell on ebay. I found out it wasn't as easy as it seems to earn ebay money, but I did end up learning how to find wonderful name brand clothes for myself at goodwill!

Asianpear - I don't do underwear (yuck..lol..why don't they just toss it???), but I will do shoes if they look new.

[Gailete]

My thrift store just reopened after being closed for months for building an addition. It is great inside. I rarely find clothes for me though, but have found hubby jeans for $2, shirts and T-shirts. Plus I get lots of books and other stuff. My favorite top is one I got a couple of years ago at a bag day they were having. I figure it cost me 8 cents and I have been wearing it for I think 4 years at least once a week all fall, winter and spring! I have a jeans jumper I got at Goodwill for $4 several years ago that I wear most of the winter too. I love finding good clothes that have lots of wear left.

Gail

[choicearizona]

We know a family with lots of children, some still very young. They shop at the thrifts, save money, find some good clothes at good prices and no one knows any different. You do what you must to survive.

[tark]

yes, the thrift store is a nice one for those looking to save money! I go there a few times a month.

[seattlemanicurist]

When I changed jobs several months ago and went from a khaki pants dress code to a black or grey pants dress code I went to the Value Village near my apt and they had racks and racks of pants all arranged by size and color for 5-7$ a pair. Most of them were brand name 40-70$ pants, and in excellent condition. I got all my pants there and would never go anywhere else for pants. Shirts are sort of hit and miss there though. My 8yo daughter also has a 3-4 book a week habit and they have a large selection of young adult books for 69 cents each so I go at least 2 or 3 times a month to get her books. And I check frequently for patterned Pyrex dishes since my SO collects them. When I find good ones I save them for Christmas and birthday gifts. I don't find good ones very often though. Any time I need anything that I might be able to find used I will check there before buying new.

I sort of have a huge weakness for animal knick knacks, especially ones from the 50's-70's but the Salvation Army here has a much better selection. Our apartment has weird brightly colored ceramic animals on every flat surface. I'm trying not to buy more until we have a bigger place.

[mom-from-missouri]

Thrift stores are where most of our clothes that I don't sew come from. We are lucky in that those near us are very clean and well organized. They also have some new items as well.

[osadg]

My husband and I are big givers to the local Thrift Store, but we don't frequently shop there. Just like someone else mentioned-we pretty much have everything we need. What I have discovered is it's the greatest place to get items for classrooms-there are always fantastic deals on things classrooms can use from everything to furnishings, toys, to dress up clothes.

[wordwarrior]

So agreed! I insist that shopping thrift stores is the single best way to save...and not only clothing, but we have a "bent and dent" food store that I find awesome deals at!

[fam5d07]

My family gives to the local thrift stores, last week we went shopping there and found a columbia boys jacket that looked like it was never worn. I paid 4.99 for it and gave it to my nephew who was in need of a good winter jacket(his dad is out of work). he loved it and it was his fav color which was so not planned. I like the fact I can help out but not cost my own family to much money.

[Fern]

They built a brand new Good Will store in my area more than a year ago, and i keep saying to myself i want to check them out. It's huge. I asked my friend the other day if she wanted to stop in, and she said no. i'm quite sure it's becus of the stigma attached to buying at a thrift store. Guess i'll have to go myself now after your post!

[Goldy1]

When I worked in schools an doffices, I went to the Salvation Army shops to but career clothes. Basically when I was making $12 an hour I did not want to spend $35 or $30 on sweaters or khakis or black dress pant clothes I am buying mainly for work. It takes time to sift through, and the stores are relatively clean. I have great brand name stuff in excellent shape.
However, the tredn of the stores now here is to keep opening bigger an dnicer stores and to raise prices. I don't want to pay $7.99 or higher plus tax for someone's USED New York or Gap brand pants when I get ger new with tag stuff on clearance at Kohl's etc for two bucks more not worn and washed and needing to be washed to get rid of the "thrift store funk smell"

I have decent clothes and the money I save goes to extra mortgage payments.

[MoneyTrev]

Sometimes thrift stores sell things that are valuable for cheap prices. I know people working at thrift stores so I can confirm this.

Sometimes you might find LuLu Lemon or even better products for cheap like LV bags.