Do you patronize 'private' thrift stores?

[pretty cheap jewelry]

I am a long time thrift store shopper (bought my wedding dress at one), but have always patronized the non-profit ones, ie Salvation Army / Goodwill / Easter Seals / etc. Until the last couple years, thrift shopping was even trendy! It has fallen a bit out of grace with those of means, but the national economics have kept thrift shopping going rather strong imo.

The reason I shop thrifts?
1. Price. Stretching the income, thrill of the bargain hunt.
2. Supporting charitable causes. A very close second, and also the reason I donate OFTEN.
3. Environmental Ethic. A very very close third. Reuse! Reduce!! Recycle!!!

Lately not non-profit (ie 'private') thrift stores have popped up nearby. Regularly, not just in little bits. There are 2 or 3 right off the top of my head that have made a presence in the last year. These are not close to trying to be 'antique' malls, they are blatant thrift stores.

I have been in one once, and the prices were NOT thrifty. I never went in another again.
Sanford and son aside, are these worth a closer look?

[disneysteve]

I shop at any and all. The vast majority are associated with some charity. Goodwill is too expensive. We go there occasionally but their prices have gotten crazy in the past few years. There is one big shop near us where we always go. I believe they are private as there is nothing posted indicating that they are associated with an charity. That is probably the one we shop at most often and it is the best in the area. Their prices are good, too. They also sort their merchandise which Goodwill does not.

[MonkeyMama]

I hadn't really thought about it, but yes. The best Children's thrift shop around here is a private shop and I shopped there religiously until we got a Target close to our home (they have new clothing for $4 all the time, whereas the thrift shop was quite out of the way).

Charitable thrift shops tend to be less organized and harder to shop. Our Goodwills are expensive too, though most charities tend to have lower prices. I think it can be hit and miss - I wouldn't judge a thrift shop solely for being private or charitable.

[pretty cheap jewelry]

ok, so far you two are encouraging me to take a look.

[jpg7n16]

I remember an old thrift store by the house I grew up in with several clothing items at less than a dollar.

It was definitely not a charity - it was more like a huge yard sale.

I never shopped there much though.

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

Not in recent years, though I did when I had a child at home. We have fewer needs these days as we sort of have what we need. Also, it used to be easy to go down to one part of the city where there were several shops in one block, plus a couple of used book stores, plus some true antique shops. I might find a bunch of books for son, a pair of pants for him, a sieve for the kitchen, a half dozen wine glasses, an inner tube for my bike, and a stack of pots for the garden all in one trip. I think all of those stores have closed now. When the hobby shop near them moved, I think a lot of people stopped going to that block at all so the thrift stores had little business.

[zakity]

My favorite is a church thrift store, but I am open to any and all of them. There are only a few that are still "thrift" stores. Most are becoming "second hand/over priced" stores.

[tdls17]

Hi, I shop consistently at our local salvation army thrift. Actually, we shop two of the local stores in the event one doesn't have what we're looking for. We save sooo much money.

[snafu]

We have several 'consignment'/thrift shops staffed by volunteers primarily from Jr. League & various organizations opened limited hours, selling extremely high end stuff. These are great outlets for special occasion wear and gizmos

GW, SA church charity shops give vouchers to those in need; anyone else pays a bit more than you would pay at a yard sale to cover staff minimum wage and utilities. Rental is donated for a tax write off by the bldg's owner.