How to bargain hunt at thrift and consignment stores: what to look for and when to go. This is a general introduction to the bargains at second hand stores.
Bargain hunting, for some, is almost equivalent to a sport. There is a difference between shopping and bargain hunting. Shopping is when you go to the department store, grocery store or mall. Bargain hunting, you take to the next level, going to thrift stores and consignment shops. It all begins there. Each week (sometimes each day,) new items arrive and you may never see the same thing twice or find your size in something that you like. It is a jungle of clothes and odds n' ends. Someone's junk may become your treasure, if you know what to look for.
First, let's look at the difference between thrift stores and consignment shops. A thrift store is one that relies on donated items. People donate items and are able to use it to write off on their taxes, but they receive no direct money. The stores are usually large and run by non-profit organizations which also gives the donated items to people in need. Items are sold as is and the money is used to benefit the organization running the store.
A consignment shop is a privately owned business, usually much smaller than the thrift store. People bring items to the consignment shop to be sold, at which time they will receive a percentage of that sale. Items may sell for one half to one third the original store prices and profits are put back into the store. Items in consignment shops are usually of a high quality and have been laundered prior to being put on display. No clothes or items are accepted that are damaged or not usable.
Clothes are a large part of both thrift and consignment shops. Sometimes the clothes are in excellent condition, almost as if they had never been worn, and some items are new with tags. Other times they show signs of wear and may not be in good condition at all. Knowing what to look for can help you find items that will look as if you spent a fortune, when in reality, it only cost a fraction.
Go frequently. If you are serious about finding good, quality bargains you should go often, especially early in the week after people have donated items on the weekend. When looking at clothes, do a thorough inspection. Check the tag for the brand name and accurate size and material content. Look at seams under the arms, at the shoulders, between the legs and crotch and the backside. These are places most often ripped and you want to check for signs of obvious repair. Also check buttons to see if they all match and if the threads used to sew them match, another sign of wear that was repaired. Zippers too can be repaired, check the zipper to see it works and wasn't a replacement. Also watch for any catches or balling that may have occurred from repeated rubbing on the material.
The quality found at a consignment shop is usually much better than that of a thrift store. A thrift store will sell most everything for charity, while a consignment shop will not accept ripped or damaged clothing. Yet, even shopping in consignment shops you have to check the clothes out thoroughly, looking for less obvious damage.
Odd n' ends, knick knacks or gadgets usually abound at thrift stores. Often times they are items left over from tag sales or estate sales or from cleaning out the attic or basement. Finds with knick knacks are usually unique and lots of fun. Watch for glassware and plates that are out of print and different. You may not get a complete set, but it will also be something not found in stores and usually for a third of the cost new. Watch for chips, cracks and jagged pieces, as well as scrapings of any designs that might be on the item.
Household appliances and electronics find their way to thrift stores usually because if they can't be sold they are too big to be shipped or moved. Be careful with appliances and electronics. See if they will let you plug an item in to test it first, and know that most are sold as is.
Many thrift stores and consignment shops will offer additional savings. Check and see when Senior discounts are given or if they offer a percentage off certain colored tags on specific days. Check during seasonal changes for new arrivals and big discounts and clearances on clothes during these times. Go early at the change of season for the best quality on the clothes that are being put out.
If you don't mind the size hunting and washing the clothes prior to wearing (which you should do even with new clothes.) If you don't mind never knowing what you may leave the store with as opposed to going out to buy a shirt and getting that shirt. If you don't mind wearing something once worn by someone else, then you will enjoy bargain hunting at thrift stores and consignment shops. The speed with which children grow and the expense for new clothes, especially for larger sizes, makes thrift and consignment shopping not only fun but sensible and money saving. Bargain hunting at these second hand stores is not for everyone, and that's ok. It leaves more bargains for the tried and true thrift store shoppers.
