Things You Might Not Know About Your Local Thrift Store

This article was a little light on the info, really. Maybe you should mention some of the major thrift chains and what charity (if any) each one benefits. Some of the stores in my area benefit a local Catholic charity (St. Vincent dePaul, which fills prescriptions for the needy, operates soup kitchens and provides services for indigent and homeless people), the Paralyzed Veterans of America, Goodwill Industries (provides job training), Myriam's House (battered women's shelter, job training for victims of domestic violence), and America's Thrift Store (donates a portion of profits to undisclosed Christian charities), and Salvation Army (whose philosophy is "to meet all human needs, without discrimination").

I prefer not to shop at or donate to the stores whose causes I don't support.

My small town has had a wonderful non profit thrift store for years. I love it. We also just recently got a goodwill. Also nice. I haven't bought "new" clothes in over two years. My entire wardrobe (of pretty nice, name brand, quality) probably cost less than 50 bucks.

Thought it was helpful to have a check list type of article just to remind people that thrift stores are out their to help you stock up or get rid of what you don't need without having to trash your junk or pay an arm and a leg to dress yourself or your family. Appreciate your comment, Myscha!

Many thrift stores have half-price days. While you may find some bargains here generally these days are designed to clear the store of inventory it had trouble selling the week before.

The day after the half price sale is the when they'll start placing the new merchandise for the week onto the sales floor.

Thanks for the post on thrift stores. Many Goodwill stores have special half-off sales daily. The Goodwill stores in Northern New England featured a different color each week that is half off--this is another great way to cut down on costs.

Maybe it's not my place, but I have to admit to noticing a few errors in my own work from time to time. (And I spent years as a classroom teacher, to boot!) The thing is, or at least I'll speak for myself here, spell check doesn't necessarily catch everything and also (again speaking for myself) I've found that having spent SO many years outside of the country where English language newspapers and signs are so often completely incorrect and conversations with people aren't necessarily with those whose mother tongue is also English (and is in fact often their third or fourth language), I'm not necessarily spotting things as quickly as I used to when I was teaching English in an English speaking country. It's sad to say, but you really don't lug around an entire library of English books on your back and you spend a fair amount of time as an expat reading English news that isn't written by a native speaker. I don't know if that's Torley's reason, but I'll also point out that we try to get out so much content in a short amount of time in order to share the ideas, and we often do it in addition to numerous other duties when we're already exhausted. Sometimes things are so obvious when we go back and look at them live, but after you've proofread your own work so often, your brain tends to see what you think should be there. Paying for external proofreading services isn't exactly conducive to our bottom line. Not making excuses folks, just pointing out that we are all human, and doing our best to share ideas in a timely fashion.

I didn't realize the comments section was for commenting on grammatical errors in the article. I was under the impression it was for sharing additional information relevant to the article, which is what I hope I've done with the information below.

Freecycle is completely left out of this article as means of getting rid of things you have not been able to consign or otherwise sell. I cleaned my garage last weekend, and everything I offered was picked up. I didn't have to leave my house, saving me the cost of gas to haul it away. I also have the pleasure of knowing the things went to people who will use them rather than in the garbage.

Google freecycle to find a group in your area.

It's not that I don't agree with your point Simple Life, and I believe I stated I wasn't trying to make excuses - just some reasons behind why these things can happen. And yes, I have had friends help out from time to time when my eyes are bleary and I just can't read it again. At the end of the day though, many people are maxed out right now with their own lives. So searching out that kind of support is something I admit to doing less of lately.

Just to clarify on the non-native language speakers issue, in no way was that intended to be negative. Anyone that speaks more than one language has my respect, hands down.  I'm simply stating that these are weaknesses  I've noticed in myself after having listened to those who haven't mastered it for years at a time. I'm certainly not asking for a pass, and as soon as I notice errors I've missed I log in to correct them.

Striving for excellence is something I would agree with completely. I think it is important to note however that many other forms and outlets of writing come with editors built in to the system. Editors that get paid. I think everyone here at Wise Bread takes their work seriously, even though for most of us it happens to be something we do in addition to many other things. If I personally make the call on getting information out quickly, and make an error in the process, I do my best to correct the situation as soon as possible. By the way, I've seen major newspapers make similar mistakes, including one owned by USA Today. These are publications that can (or at least could) afford to pay someone a full salary and benefits to crank out just a couple of main articles a week and still have a separate paid editor or two on staff. That's not even including the fact checking folks.

All in all, I think we're doing a pretty good job here at Wise Bread, and fix what needs to be fixed as the situation arises. Again, you're making valid points. And again, I'm not asking for a pass. I'm simply stating how these things can happen.

we're all human...we make mistakes. No one should make an ass out of anyone else because of it. Now, how 'bout that thrift store info...

Some thrift stores have certain days when they re-stock. I like to ask if the shop has a day (or days) in particular that they place new items on the shelves. If they do only unveil new items on specific days, it lets me get first shot at the better items.

Great tips....we have also been hitting the stores that have been going out of business. Sometimes, name brand items for generic or lower prices. Also, at the end of the season, they tend to be discounting items at a great savings.

Has a website for recalls, and usually lists the reason as well as the item recalled.

All kids stuff except toys: http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/category/child.html

Everything, including toys:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cgi-bin/prod.aspx

Oooh, love it when people get into grammatical nitpicks. Last I checked, the world was still going round so nothing crashes and burned due to a typo.

Anyway, I just skimmed the article and I'm a thrifter at heart, so, if any of this was mentioned, you can ignore me.

There are other things you should not buy at a thrift store. Car seats, cradles, high-chairs and other random baby-stuff is numero uno. Thrift stores are supposed to check, but a lot of times, they don't.

Cushions are numero dos. Why? Fleas and weird smells, for starters. Mattresses and couches and the like also fall into this category. A flea or roach infestation is not something you want to deal with.

Watch out for dry-rot and mold on stuff like jackets (which might not be worn often) and shoes. Make sure anything you can buy you can either clean thoroughly yourself, or you can swing the dry-cleaning for. If something looks stained, it is, and you probably won't be able to get it out. Sweat stains do not come out. Neither does chocolate, grass, blood (I've come across it) and a whole bunch of other stuff. If it's in the Goodwill, there's a decent chance someone has already tried to get it out and has failed, and the stuff is set.

Electronics are obviously a no-no, unless you're looking for parts.

Don't go into a thrift store just to browse. Never, ever. Make a list like you'd make for any other store. Unless something has an specific purpose in your life, don't buy it.

Know the prices at your local shops, and where they get their merch. True, Goodwill might get donations, but they also get Target overstock that doesn't sell in the store. Know when they do their markdowns, know when they get truck, know when they process, and don't be afraid to ask for a discount. Cause, these are places you haggle like mad.

@Cidre:

Lots of good points. I do take issue with a few of them:

Organic stains like grass and blood can be removed with hydrogen peroxide. Yes, someone probably tried to remove the stain, but that doesn't mean they knew how... So price matters. If the item is a $6 shirt (typical of Goodwill), I won't buy it if it's stained. But if it's a 50 cent item at our small-town thrift store, I might take a chance.

I found the comment about sofas to be sad. Yes, it's true that there's a small element of risk, but in a college town like mine, if all sofas and futons went to the dump after one use, the landfill would expand and bury the town. I was happy to buy my recliners from thrift shops when I moved to town, and I'll be happy to return them to the thrift shop when I leave, for someone else to take a turn with.

As for electronics being a no-no, well, it depends on the price again. I bought my vacuum cleaner for $3. I was well aware that it might not work. But I could have gone back and gotten another one for $3, and repeated this process 25 times for the cost of a new one. Yes, your time is worth something, and if the gadget absolutely must work on the first try, don't buy used. But for $3 versus $75, I thought it was a good risk. (By the way, it did work.)

Thirft stores are an excellent place to get somewhat obsolete electronics if these will meet your needs. For instance, the touch pad on my old laptop is busted. It's not worth getting this replaced, but I would like to get the files off of the machine before recycling it. I will go buy a mouse for maybe $1 at a thrift store to get the job done.

Cidre, if I stuck to a list I'd have missed my biggest thrift scores: a $1000 musical instrument for $12.50, All Clad pans, a cashmere overcoat, and numerous items, from vintage couture to rare books, that I've sold online for several thousand dollars total. I've also bought most of our electronics and small appliances (after testing them with the outlets most large thrift stores provide for the purpose). Often, just one part - a vacuum hose, for instance - will be worth as much on eBay as I paid for the whole item. Like J., I'll buy a junky older version of something for minor or craft use. And when I buy small appliances that don't work as planned, they go to a neighbor, who supplements disability income repairing such items and selling on Craigslist. Best use of an otherwise wasted five bucks *I've* ever seen.

I'd agree that it's important to be disciplined. Space, including mental space, is valuable. Don't buy junk. Don't buy stuff you're not excited about, that you're not pretty sure you can use or sell. If you don't have a data plan on your cel phone, have someone to call to check out an iffy item; this has saved me from a slick but poorly-reviewed or recalled "bargain" many times (I google the item name/model number plus the words recall, junk, broke, etc.). If you do gamble, make a decision quickly once you get it home, and put it into the donation box posthaste if it's not right. Date items you bring home as "projects;" if it doesn't happen in a month, or six, out it goes. Then get a receipt when you re-donate it. If you got a deal, the tax deduction may even approach what you paid.

And cushions? P'shaw. Both down and synthetic inserts can be machine washed and dried. Dry-clean-only covers can be put in the sun in a black plastic bag, or even dry-cleaned for a few bucks. Never had a problem.

Seriously people--grammer issues have NO PLACE on something like this unless it renders the entire post or sentence un-readable or understandable! Get over it!

That said--I make my living by scouring thrift church and yard sales for items to re-sell. My fave places are local re-sale places attached to community organizations that offer their items at rock bottom prices (even for thrift stuff!) and benefit people I know. One venture here supports among other things the summer camp program my grandkids go to. And they raise money for heating oil for people. And donate to fire victims.

I have found vintage items like old jeans that sell for hundreds on line. And I have found items of jewelry that no one bothered to look carefully at--at all kinds of places--that were karat gold or sterling.

If you are going to go into this full or part time KNOW YOUR MARKET and KNOW your BRANDS. Off market or non branded (except vintage) items do NOT sell. Tags or not! Age is important--if it is more than a season old or so depending on type of item--hard to sell. Inspect EVERYTHING. I have learned this the hard way--zippers shred at the bottom; pockets shred and are sometimes hard to fix; buttons are missing and hard to match; hems shred; elastic can get old and lose it's strength--check by stretching--if it crackles and the piece does not go back to it's pre-stretched condition--don't buy it! Make up stains do not come out. Items with monograms do not sell. Make sure you know what the REAL label on high end items looks and feels like-shop at a RETAIL store to get this info--it is research that will pay off. Check for original hems--unless the pants were made to be hemmed this might be well done or a cob job or some really odd size. Make sure you look at things in GOOD LIGHT! Ask to take them outside or carry a pocket flashlight or use the light on your cell. Fading and blotchy--not saleable.

I have sold many pots and pans and if you know your brands you can clean up. But--clean up the merch first! Oven cleaner can take off the worst baked on crap. Missing a lid? Have only the lid? Both can and will sell if they are a good brand. Calphalon Le Crueset Revere Farberware---all sell well. MAKE SURE BASES ARE FLAT!!!! Cast iron is another item that some knowledge can pay off big time. Some older brands or models get big bucks on line.

And--remember--when you sell on line--the BUYER PAYS THE SHIPPNG. Do NOT fall into the trap of offering "Free Shipping"--it is NOT free. Either factor it into your initial sale price --in which case your item WILL be more expensive than the next sellers--or sell the item and then calc the shipping based on the weight BOXED TO SHIP. Don't rely on the ebay ship calc either! Make friends with your postal people--you will find that they can find better ways to ship somethings and you can make this a selling point. We use several different local PO's because some are more rational about some sorts of sales than others.

Be professional and know how to write a good title and description and for the love of Mike do NOT do this on your PHONE. Beg borrow or steal a laptop for this if you must. I dunno how ppl who spend all day texting cannot seem to write a simple description but over and over I see this--and I have a new habit of looking at these poorly done ads and buying them; re-listing properly and selling for sometimes many times what the original price was. Their loss my gain.