Thrift Stores!!!

[BillsGirl]

I don't know who goes to thrift stores anymore but recently I went to look for some things I might be able to resell on ebay and the things in thrift stores cost MORE than I can buy them for on ebay..... What gives? I know it's charitable but the sick part is they get their stuff for free and are making major major profits on thier products, I fell that is wrong... like a pair of heavily used name brand shoes will sell from $10 to $20 in a thrift store I always give clothes to thrift stores when I am done with them.... when I was buying a wedding dress I debated getting one from a thrift store so I went to about 6 thrift stores looking at wedding dresses and they were all for sale for $300 and UP I bought my brand new wedding dress for $100 Is it just me that feels this is wrong??
I understand they have to pay employees and money goes to good causes but its pure profit and the places are FILLED with people buying and waiting in lines, I think it's silly!

[cercis]

I've never been to a thrift store like that. Resale shops, yes, thrift stores, no. I think the most I've ever seen anything marked in a thrift store (other than furniture) was $10 for a formal dress. I've never priced wedding gowns, so I wouldn't know about those.

I've never spent more than $2 on any item from a thrift store.

[BillsGirl]

I guess its this town that has gone wacky then???
Clothes that are in fashion ie the 70's crazy int he 90's and now the 80's clothes they put in a section of the store and everything there is marked $5 and up because they know its in high demand..... I loved thrift stores when I was in high school but they were also pricey then too!!!

[sweeps]

My mom goes to thrift stores and gets amazing deals. Like-new wool coats for $2, etc.

Having said that, I'm not surprised that prices in thrift stores would be going up, exactly for the reason you stated -- people coming in to flip stuff on ebay.

[Ima saver]

I have a used wedding dress and I am thinking of taking it to a consignment shop so I can get a few dollars from it. The people working in the thrift shops get the really good bargains.

[jodi]

I guess it depends on the store. I have three local thrift stores that I visit - each for different things (one for my clothes, one for kids clothes, one for records, toys, etc.) because the prices do vary a lot.
I caught a clearance sale the other day - from 30-70% off the ticket price at a Thrifty Shopper (Rescue Mission). The bargains were great. So timing is important too.

[katwoman]

You are right about the reselling on eBay.

Used to be I'd find terrific stuff, but I noticed the trend had changed about 3-4 years ago. That plus the prices for stuff went up.

I hit upon a store in a western suburb that still gets great things, but I also saw middle aged men combing the womens section. When I looked at the items in their cart I saw designer purses, scarves, belts, shoes, etc. High end. Perfect for eBay.

So now I have to consider women AND men as my shopping competition.

[TBH]

Jodi's right--our favorite local thrift store (Village Thrift) has sale days when everything in the store is labelled with a colored dot. Green dot means 30 percent off, red dot means 50 percent off, etc.

We get a lot of kids clothes there. DS is wearing a winter coat this year that cost $1.50. It's ugly, but it's warm. It was in really good shape, too. I find a lot of clothes for me there as well when I can go alone, but it's hard to find time to do that. I did get most of my maternity clothes at thrift stores, and we paid $150 four years ago for a living room couch and armchair that are still in great shape. Would have cost hundreds more than that new.

A trick I use for thrifting: wear tight leggings and a tight shirt. Many thrift stores have no dressing rooms. I can try stuff on over my clothes right there at the rack.

Partly I do it because it's frugal, and partly because I don't like to contribute to the consumer culture any more than I have to. It takes fuel and materials to make those clothes. Why not give them a second life?

[lrjohnson]

I went to the Deseret Thrift Store, in the Sacramento area, and was so impressed. I believe it is run by the Mormon Church or a Mormon organization. My flannel nightgowns were I think 3 bucks apiece, maybe 2. A great sweater was $3. Now, this isn't super cheap, however, the cleanliness and organization and incredibly huge selection was so worth it. I was like the size of a Ross or a Sears, and so well organized by type (Long sleeved blose, short sleeved knit) and by size. Usually I use a thrift store to just try for random good deals for clothes, not really for specifics-this was the first place I could actually see coming in with a list-2 shirts, three skirts, etc.

I have some good thrift stores locally, but nothing like that for clothes! If you have one near you I would check it out!

[beebop25blue25]

I used to love Goodwill Stores and really got some good deals, BUT lately they are WAY overpriced for stuff that people give to them in the first place. They have to be making a fortune even if they do have employees to pay. They make 100% profit on EVERYTHING! And the funny thing is, it seems each time I go in there they have raised their prices!! I can go to Walmart or Target and shop their clearance racks and get NEW stuff for the same price and sometimes lower price than the thrift stores. Sad, Sad, especially for people who desperately need and depend on these stores for their clothing needs!

[zakity]

I love our Deseret store. They wash the clothes before they put them out.

[LittleGopher]

Ever since my first daughter was born (and I stayed home with her and needed to econimize,) we've shopped at thrift stores. I find Goodwill and Salvation Army stores expensive in my area, but have found one store that benefits the mentally handicapped people in our area to be a great place to to shop. The particular store that I go to seems to get regular donations from the more wealthy (some clothes even have store tags on.) The prices are definitely better than clearance at Target, etc., and the selection is pretty good, even with this store's increasing popularity over the years. A great many of this store's clothing have gone through all four of my girls, and are still in good enough shape to be donated back (so generally are better quality clothing.)

One thing I had always been told is that once my girls reached a 'certain' age, they would revolt at this type of acquisition of clothing. Know what? It hasn't happened. My two older girls (15 & 13) love the unique looks they can create (my younger two - 10 & 8 - just like something "new" once in a while, and if it's pink or purple, that's a plus!) In the last two years or so, we've started checking out a resale shop that caters to teens - it's not quite as cheap as my favorite Value Village, but the clothes are very current, in great shape and much cheaper than new anywherenear us. Again the shop we go to gets very nice quality clothing brought in. So between the two shops and hand-me-downs from sisters and friends, my girls are outfitted very inexpensively. Actually, I'm not sure what we'd do without these shops (and friends!)

[Ima saver]

I can't imagine clothing 4 girls! I have never used thrift stores, but I think it is a great idea. I buy pretty cheap clothes at wal mart! I worked at one once, and the kids clothes go fast!

[PRICEPLUS]

The kids these days pay good money for brand new pre-ripped jeans! I don't understand but they, especially teens, can find some outrageously inexpensive clothes that they like. The best part is the savings!

[shelbylovesmelby]

I agree that the prices are getting outragious! I usually go for vhs Movies for my kids. I was noticing last week that @ goodwill the .99 bins are no $1.49! The videos (the disney ones in particular) were up to $5! That's up $1 since I bought some in November.

I agree w/ pp's saying that they get the stuff for FREE so why are the prices getting outragious?!?!? I'd rather go rummaging for things than pay their prices! I bought a Like-NEW disney princess jacket for my oldest for $1 @ a rummage. Do you think I could find that @ goodwill?
I also hit up the clearence racks @ k-mart this fall for kids clothes. I was finding things for 90+% off!! My dh was a bit annoyed about me wanting to go to all the ones in the area. But when he saw that I got hundreds of $ of clothing for next to nothing, he didn't compalin. For example I got a pair of 12 mo LEVI's shorts for my nb, reg $11 for .50! I paid under a $1 for everything I bought. So I paid Rummage sale prices for brand new things! GOSH I LOVE K-MARTS CLEARENCE BLOW OUTS! Do ya think I can find any deals like that@ goodwill NOPE!

BTW mine has been having bins of misc things .25 ea & most of it seems to be things from the Target dollar bins!

[acezz4e_tish]

the thrift store here dont keep dresses long, they are in high demand. its economical and looks gr8 you will get more then a few bucks for it. we have 2 consignments here, new image and downtown flea market. they sell wedding dresses for up to 200 and they do sell.

[acezz4e_tish]

oh did i also mention that i got my leather at consignment shop. full lenght black leather 2x outbrook, very nice mint condition, 75 dollars. get it cleaned twice and pay for it again.lol. but ill be using virgin olive and doing my own now. smells better!

[contrary1]

I've noticed the higher prices too.........but, can still find a good deal on the 50% off colored tags.
I've been taking advantage of my local freecycle group (4000+) and only pay the gas to pick up the items. Takes longer, but I don't really NEED anything these days.

[Ima saver]

They are kind of like garage sales to me, I am afraid I am going to buy something and I don't need any more "stuff"

[acezz4e_tish]

i have a mini notebook, three for a dollar at dollar tree. in it i have all! i have stuff like, masterbdrm, 6 outlets, one single switch one pull switch and two double switches that dont take plates, the plate button and all is one. this page includes my master bath, walk in closet and bedroom. i have a jaquizzi and stand up shower. i have its measurements cause i would love to switch out the door at least so its lighter inside. then i have a page for my kitchen and every room in my house, measuring even the floor space in each item so that if i find carpet or linoleum and all, that im totally covered in knowing what i need. i also have a page for all my kids sizes in everything. this also makes it easier for my mom, i can copy that off to her and shes kept up to date. i also have a box in my van, that has cheap dollar store batteries of all sizes and a universal plug. i can check anything that catches my eye. i also have my dvd plug already in the car too, so i can use that to plug things in the lighter. i got a good tip off here tho, i didnt have a screwdriver but do now. i bought one at the dollar tree that has a bundle of different tips. i also keep couple cheesy crackers and bottles of water back there for road side emergencys. it dont take much space, the book is always in my purse actually and the kit i made is in a well of the back end.