Thrift store shopping isn’t for everyone. It should be, but some people seem to think that it’s all about luck – but it isn’t. People who score great deals at the thrift store on a regular basis know these five things – and they live by them! It’s not about luck – it’s about knowing the things that make you think differently about thrift stores all together.
TOP FIVE THRIFT STORE TIPS
- Find your favorite. It took me quite a while to find a good thrift store. Searching one out can take one Saturday morning, a couple of weeks or even a few months. Look in the yellow pages, ask friends, even ask workers at the “bad” thrift store if there are others in the area. Church run shops tend to be great stores in my area. Other people have great Goodwills. It takes a little time to figure it out.
- Check your list twice. Just because a store seems bad the first go round, give it another try. Every store has good and bad days. Maybe you hit a bad day the first time, it may get better. However, if all the clothes are 70’s rejects and all the dishes are chipped, you may have a “junk” store on your hands, but if things are in generally good condition, then give it a second shot.
- Shop often. Once you find the perfect thrift store, go often. I shop at my favorite store at least three times a week (and often more). Since their merchandise is all donated, it comes in every single day. You never know what you will find. Monday is always on my mind, since yardsale leftovers come in on Saturday afternoons. Once you get to know the store, you will be able to spot new items quickly, and you will know the location of your favorite types of items. I can be in and out usually within 15 minutes, but if I have more time I will check the areas I skip when I am in a hurry.
- See through the flaws. Look at the lines of furniture to see if it’s pleasing to you. Next, give it the “wiggle test” – put it on level ground and see if it wobbles around. If it is sturdy it might be worth painting or recovering. If it is wobbly, it has structural issues. Structure issues can be small and fixable, or they can be severe and not worth the effort. BUT, a table can be cut in half and mounted on a wall, or is it cheap enough to cut apart and use the different pieces. And don’t get me started on paint! Paint can hide a multitude of sins!
- Get schooled. Don’t know how to reupholster a chair? You Tube has a video to help you out! Can’t figure out what color to paint your table? Search for inspiration on blogs & home improvements website. You will need a few tools to be prepared to take on any task, which I will talk about in an upcoming post. If you don’t know how to attack your problem, and don’t know where to start, feel free to email me anytime with questions or photos. I can only tell you what I would do with a piece, but it would be a start!
Allidink says
June 10, 2009 at 2:39 amGreat tips! I always go shopping multiple times a week at thrift stores too so that’s how I catch good deals.
All the best,
Allison
Tales From My Empty Nest says
June 10, 2009 at 3:37 amThanks for the helpful tips. I have recently enjoyed “thrifting” and yard sales and have found some great things. Treasures, as I call them!!! Love & blessings from NC!
A Stitch In Thyme says
June 10, 2009 at 4:54 amFabulous post. I love the go often and look past the flaws the best. So many people walk away from a great find because of a small flaw. That’s okay though.. more for us! 🙂
lovely blog today.
Joan@anythinggoeshere says
June 10, 2009 at 5:01 amFirst thank you so much for visiting my blog and for your nice comment. I too admire creative reuse, and I can see you know what you are talking about. Great points about thrifting above. My motto is imperfection is perfect. Happy soon to be Wednesday. xo Joan
Queen of Dreamsz says
June 10, 2009 at 6:22 amWhat a great chair! And two bucks..a deal of the year..LOL Have a great week.
Stephanie
Enchanted Rose Studio says
June 10, 2009 at 7:17 amOnly $2?? Now I’ve yet to find such a great deal as that! Fabulous chair!
Excellent advice. I had a fav, Salvation Army, only 7 minutes away. then they closed it down (they had the best furniture!) Now I’m on the hunt for a new favorite.
Have a fun week!
Tina
Eclectic Pink Rose says
June 10, 2009 at 9:06 amWonderful tips, and I love looking at your $2.00 chair!!! The makeover was amazing!
♥ Teresa
Becky K. says
June 10, 2009 at 11:05 amThis is a great post, Gina. I am not as devoted to finding those pieces because my home is full, but I do think I am ready to change out some pieces…so I’ll be looking shortly.
Lisa says
June 10, 2009 at 11:35 amCan’t you just accompany each of us on the shopping trips? Come on, you know that you want to.
Gina @ The Shabby Chic Cottage says
June 10, 2009 at 1:06 pmSure, Lisa!
Make a date, and we’ll shop ’til we drop!
Lindy says
June 10, 2009 at 1:21 pmReally good advice! Thank you!
...Mrs. Southern Bride... says
June 10, 2009 at 1:25 pmGreat advice! 🙂
Brenda says
June 10, 2009 at 2:02 pmI just never seem to have any luck with thrift stores in my area and when I do, the item is usually too expensive. I marvel at all the bloggers that find furniture for under $10!
The Messy Mom says
June 10, 2009 at 2:40 pmThose are really great tips. I am an avid thrift store shopper too. Last week I posted pics of my summer wardrobe, which were almost exclusively from the thrift store.
Rebecca says
June 10, 2009 at 2:41 pmFabulous, informative Post! I find GREAT STUFF all the time but it is work. I just don’t ALWAYS happenstance upon things…sometimes it takes numerous trips to my favorite haunts before I uncover the diamond in the rough…
Thanks for sharing! GREAT!
xoRebecca
Richella says
June 10, 2009 at 4:04 pmWe are all jealous of your $2 chair, of course. But these tips are really good! Thank you for taking the time to write them out so well.
Have a great day!
Kara says
June 10, 2009 at 4:04 pmI am new to thrift store and yard sale shopping, so I really appreciate these tips!
stefanie says
June 10, 2009 at 4:10 pmwhat a find, $2, awesome
Chiki Cottage says
June 10, 2009 at 6:47 pmThank you for your awesome tips…so useful! I employ many of them now as I myself are a frugal at heart. But I cant deney myself of a cheap and good deal. Thanks so much:)
Lisa says
June 10, 2009 at 7:17 pmGreat tips! They do just seem to come along though!
Hugs, Lisa
shopannies says
June 14, 2009 at 2:33 amlove these sales never know what you will find
Leigh of Bloggeritaville says
June 15, 2009 at 2:51 amGreat minds, my friend! LOVED your post!
Vanilla Lavender says
June 19, 2009 at 1:26 amGreat tips on thriftying. I like to go on Saturday afternoons. I usually find great stuff for a bargain price. Have a great day!
Carly says
May 30, 2011 at 2:34 amThanks for the great tips! I love thrift stores! They’re so fun to check out,you just never now what you my find. I love a good deal!
Sarah-Marie says
March 10, 2016 at 5:16 pmAmen Sista!!
I love thrifting and I agree with all of your tips! I live within 2 Goodwill Stores, a Salvation Army and an Urban mission that is always overflowing with furniture. Just can’t get enough, and now my kids look forward to going too.
Nicky Serrano says
August 12, 2016 at 12:15 pmIt’s always a good idea to have a game plan and a budget. Wheew, the budget i learned the hard way. So easy to get carried away. I like to decide how much I’m willing spend and take cash. PLUS it’s a satisfying feeling when you come home with a few extra dollars.
I have a very creative mind, I love thrift’ing and I love to see the end results of my creations.
I really enjoyed this post and for the newbies; your already off to a good start by reading.
Gina Luker says
August 31, 2016 at 5:56 pmThanks so much Nicky!