Thrift Shop Basics
I grew up shopping at thrift shops. Thirty years ago, it was not the badge of honor it can be today. However, my upbringing gives me a vast knowledge of navigating the tags, what to look for, what fair prices are for most items, and so forth. Downhomeurban mixes new and trendy with vintage, made, and used items. There will be many posts about how to do it, fun projects to get your feet wet, and learning how to create a home that suits your tastes. Darby and I want to share everything but let’s start with the basics.
Where to start - not all thrift stores are the same. They have flavors and vibes, can cater to very different clientele, and can be overpriced or full of bottom basement deals. The only way to know is to look around at your local shops. What you look for and what I look for will be different. My favorite shops may not appeal to you at all. That is what is beautiful about a thrift shop. There will be a shop or items in a shop for everyone. It is also important to remember that most thrift shops are run to keep a ministry or nonprofit organization running. They are not just a source of cheap items; the money you pay is used to help others. If it is essential, you can find this information on the shop’s website.
What to look for - This depends on your needs, wants, and hopes for your space. I keep a list (in my notes app on my phone) of items I’m currently looking for and items I like to look for because I give them away or constantly need more! The prices at thrift stores, especially if you are new to this world, can inspire over-buying. It is important to remember that overbuying, at any price, can clutter your space, take time and energy away from what is essential, and still have lasting financial consequences. In my home, I have a one-in, one-out policy on certain things I tend to go crazy over. For example, I have one small shelf in my kitchen for coffee mugs. It is at total capacity currently; there are 13 mugs. There is no shortage of have-to-have mugs in this world. And when you can buy them at 50 cents a piece, it can become a significant problem. But the truth is, you can only use so many mugs at a time. Even with a large family and needing multiple beverages at any given time (thank you, ADHD), I only see a couple used. So the deal is, if I see a mug I can not live without, I can buy it, but a mug at home has to go! That is what works for me; maybe you have a different method, which is excellent. But I never want to encourage the excess that leads to an overwhelmed space.
How to know a reasonable price - Thrift shopping is much more popular than it used to be. And most shops have caught on to using the internet to price large or expensive items. In general, many items cost more than they did ten or even five years ago. However, there are a lot of great deals. It takes patience and good eyes, oh, and also patience! Clothing, even in-season items like Halloween costumes, coats, and school uniforms, are priced to sell. I don’t tend to shop for clothing for myself, but I have five boys; I stock up on gym shorts, hoodies, and school clothes a couple of times a year. In the future, we will discuss what items to always look for and hopefully give you some new perspectives.
What is up with the tags - All shops are limited to whatever space they have. If something isn’t selling, then need it gone to make room for new items. Almost all shops use a tag system of some kind. In most places, a color system helps the staff know how long an item has been on the floor for sale. Usually, the store has a color of the week that is on sale. For example, yesterday, my favorite shop had blue, green, and yellow tags at 25% off and pink at 50% off. This doesn’t mean I only scan for pink tags that day, but it does mean I keep that color in my mind. If one of my boys needs new shorts, and I find four good-looking pairs in their size, I’ll probably buy the two with pink tags over any others. However, I will pay the “full price” of $5 for a brand new pair with store tags still on or in a style/color my kid loves. I don’t like the “I never pay full price” attitude because it doesn’t work for me. $5 or $10 is still an excellent deal for shorts in good condition. I have indeed spent five times that for brand-new shorts that my son haddddd to have!
These are the basics for someone who has never been and needs to know where to begin.