I thought I would share six Thrift Store Shopping Tips that I try to keep in mind each time I’m planning a visit. I’m usually searching for things for the blog, a house project and/or a vintage find for my etsy shop/booth so I need to stay on task and keep these pointers in mind.
I enjoy a trip to the thrift store every now and then. However, I’ve quickly learned that I need to keep my visits short and sweet, as I can get quickly overwhelmed. Soooo, I have a few things that I keep in mind for each of my trips. As a DIY blogger and an advocate for doing things on a budget, I like to make my time in the thrift stores as advantageous as possible and make my dollars stretch! Let’s take a looksy!
1. Have a Budget
What is your budget? Five dollars? Twenty dollars? One hundred dollars? I always like to set a budget — in ANY store I go in. It’s like a contest with myself {hee-hee}. If you have a budget, it helps you to stay on track and not over spend frivolously. Another tip is to take cash… that way you can only spend what you have!
2. Have a Plan
What are you looking for? Clothes? Props for styling a project? A piece of furniture to makeover? Shoes? Having a plan of action is almost necessary for me. I get easily distracted and sometimes I have a hard time saying no to an item that isn’t really all that necessary, so I try to have a plan now. For example, let’s say I need to style a dish next week — I would go with the intention that I’d like to find a dessert plate, coffee cup and maybe some older looking silverware. Of course I’ll browse through all the housewares and probably find an extra fun find or two, but I most likely won’t go browsing through the clothes racks. I have to mentally prepare myself for clothes shopping at a thrift store and that requires a totally different plan of action.
Photo by Julien-Pier Belanger on Unsplash
Photo by Julien-Pier Belanger on Unsplash3. Go Prepared
With your plan, you should also go prepared. Duh, right? {hee-hee} Most of my trips are specific to housewares, linens, furniture, etc. For these types of items, it’s often necessary that I have a measuring tape, measurements and/or color swatches (if necessary). It’s the worst to buy a piece and get it home to find that it won’t fit. Booo!
4. Think Creatively & Take a Risk
Sometimes we see things and think, “Ugly!” However, sometimes a little paint, mod podge or other alterations can completely transform the piece into something spectacular — something to blog about {wink}. So think outside the box when you see items. I recently saw boring wood box and thought, “nah, I don’t need it.” Then I head out to Micheal’s and see a gazillion ideas using that box. Crap! Oh well. Sometimes it’s hard to see the creative in everything — but don’t look at every piece at its face value, you just never know.
Some items are so reasonably priced that even if you get it and it doesn’t get used or the project doesn’t pan out, it’s not the end of the world. Therefore, sometimes taking a risk on a piece or project is worth it too.
5. When in Doubt, DON’T!
Yes, so I say it’s okay to think creatively and sometimes it’s worth taking a risk, BUT I’m a firm believer in the statement, “When in doubt, DON’T!” Sometimes I’ll carry something around the store just to toss it around as I browse, but in the end if I can’t seem to say, “I love it!” or “I need it!” — back it goes! On many occasions I’ll even take it to the register and if I’m over budget, I’ll say that I changed my mind on the item. Makes saying no a little easier.
Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash
Photo by Brooke Cagle on Unsplash6. Haggle, but Dress Appropriately
Some people are much better at this than others. I’m not afraid to ask if a price is firm; however, something to keep in mind is that you don’t want to look like a million dollars in doing this. HA! I typically don’t take my Coach purse with me and get all dressed up anymore. Someone mentioned this to me one time and it’s stuck with me — well, because it makes sense. I prefer to thrift shop in my yoga pants and sneaker/flip flops. Asking for a lower price item when you look like you drive a Audi is most likely not going to get you very far. So, if you haggle, be sure to look that part. How terrible does that sound? Sometimes we can be pleasantly surprised, and other times we leave a little disappointed. However, it NEVER hurts to ask.
Recently, I made my very first visit to a Saver’s Thrift Shop in Fairview Heights, IL! I was excited to visit the store prior to it’s Grand Opening. I was also pleasantly surprised to see how packed full all the shelves were and how incredibly organized everything was. It truly made the browsing experience so much easier. I absolutely loved how they had a lot of their arts and craft, kitchenware, and household items pre-bagged too. I didn’t have to go rummaging through bins and containers and I thought that was brilliant!
Anywho, here were a few of my thrifty finds:
I bought so much more, but I have to admit that some of these pieces were my faves. If you live anywhere near a Saver’s and haven’t made a visit, shame-shame! {smile} I wish this one was a little closer, but I think an occasional visit will be well worth it. I found some incredible pieces and crafty supplies.
Happy thrifting, friends! Now, let’s go find ourselves a bargain!
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Amy mayen says
Dress down- that makes a ton of sense. I’ve never had a ton of luck price haggling! Jeez, why didn’t I think of that? Thanks!
Mandy says
All this is true! I’m the manager at my aunts resale shop and the only thing we are firm on are new items. But if its there for at least 2 months, we’ll haggle with customers to get rid of it. At the same time, we buy low to sell low unlike some other shops. One thing about resale shops is that you want to make sure to get ‘new’ items constantly. As a consumer, I’d say to go to a mom and pop shop every two weeks, but big chains, every week. 🙂
Melissa B says
Thanks for the great tips on thrift store shopping! I love to go to our local thrift stores and look around to see what I can find. =)
Love your bargins!
Smallgood says
I think the tip to have a plan is great. I used to just go looking for things that spoke to me and end up with a lot of cute things that I couldn’t really do much with. Now, I look for specific things for specific projects.
Claire @ A Little Claireification says
I love this, Kelly! You know I adore thrifting – and that tin is SOOOO swoon-worthy!
xo, Claire
jackie jade says
great tips. especially the one about dressing the part. probably not smart to bring your fancy purse – i’ll have to remember this 🙂
— jackiejade.blogspot.com
Debbie says
We have a new Salvation Army in town, it is large and very well laid out. The pricing is soooo much better than Value Village (which I find is overpriced…I see dollar store items priced at $2 or more!!). And their selection is wonderful. The staff are amazing, so helpful. I try to get there whenever I make the trip to town. You found some fabulous items!! Your tips are great, but I have to admit, I rarely bargain for prices…even at garage sales, I just pay whatever is marked. I really need to learn!
Debbie 🙂
Randi - Dukes and Duchesses says
Loved your tips, Kelly! And I’m thinking you got a cool gig … I want a thrift store to send me a gift card!!
debbie says
Yeah that makes sense…even if you have money lets dress poor or at least look the part..so us that have money can get a good deal..you know those who can really use items at the thrift store probably arnt smart enough to do that anyway right!?!?
Stupid… first off to portray someone you arnt and “dress the part”” even more stupid to do it to save 50 cents.
Kristine says
REALLY? I’m not sure your comment was necessary at all. For this audience, I think her tips are appropriate….but if you don’t like them or agree – keep your thoughts to yourself. We can all agree to disagree without being ugly about it. BY THE WAY…the correct spelling for arnt….is AREN’T. 🙂
Cammie says
Arnt followed by smart enough is quite the irony…sorry, couldn’t help myself!
Jen says
Though this argument was poorly written, I have to agree. Maybe I’m missing the point, but all the thrift stores I go to are for charity…if you can afford a coach purse, why would you try to swindle the homeless/puppies/kitties/schools/sick children out of money that you could afford to pay? By dressing like the typical riff-raff that shop at thrift stores because that’s what they can afford? “Dressing down” is offensive and insensitive and manipulative.
Kelly Rowe says
Hi Jennifer! I’m sorry you disagree, but appreciate your opinion. Some things are over priced, at-least at my local thrift store. I’ve actually had managers in thrift stores eye me up and down when asking if a price is negotiable, I’m simply speaking from experience. Thanks again.
Beth says
Jen,
While I applaud your post, please don’t refer to people who shop at thrift stores as “typical riff-raff”. This is horrible. ALL of us are capable of coming into a situation where we have to shop thrift stores rather than just want to shop them, and believe me, it is a different– and humbling — feeling when you do.
One of my favorite thrift stores has a donation jar at the counter, and most people put their change from their purchases in it. I always chuckle when I see someone drop their change in after having heard them haggle over a price!
Kristine says
GREAT tips to keep in mind for future “thrift store” trips. You found some GREAT buys! Thanks for sharing!
Bri @ Posh Purpose says
I never considered my outfit before going thrifting, but that is a great tip. I never bargain, though! I can’t bring myself to ask for a lower price. My solution is to bring my husband – he is shameless when it comes to haggling. I have found some awesome items thrifting. I love that I can find high quality furniture with character that is cheaper than the new but poorly made stuff available in most stores.
Susie Parker says
I applied to manage a charity thrift shop once, and while I didn’t get the job (they asked if I was “a church lady type”, which I’m not) I had my suspicions confirmed that they do, indeed, “cherry pick” name brands and expensive stuff to sell by truckloads to designated buyers(more expensive resale shops mainly). Back in the day you could often find delightful antiques and current name brand clothing in thrift stores, now it’s Target, Walmart brands with a sprinkling of very outdated or stained name brand stuff. New thrift shops stock good stuff at the beginning to get you “hooked”, then watch as the prices increase and the quality falls.
Pam Grimes says
Great tips Kelly! I try to stay on budget by only buying thrift store items when they are at least half off. These are great ideas to keep in mind while thrifting.