If you know me IRL (in real life), you probably know that I love going thrift shopping. I cannot tell you how many times I get asked about where I found pieces of my outfits and the answer is almost always the same: "I got it at a thrift store." Often times I get surprised looks and a response like, "I never find anything when I go to places like Goodwill or Value Village." Well, lucky for you, you have come to the right person. I've read countless articles with tips on how to successfully shop at thrift stores and I've been shopping at thrift stores for as long as I can remember. Here is a compilation of all of my favorite tips and tricks:
1. Make sure you have plenty of time.
You are going to want at least two hours. The fact of the matter is, you need to have time to be able to rummage through all of the unique items. If you are looking for clothes, items aren't always organized by size. If you are lucky, clothing items will be organized by color. Also, I wouldn't suggest searching for tops and bottoms in the same shopping trip. The reason for this is because thrift stores have massive amounts of tops and bottoms and it is impossible to search all of the racks and find something that is perfect for you. Focus on a specific item to make the most of your time.
2. Go with someone.
Thrift shopping takes time, so why not have some company? It is really fun to go with another person and look at all of the odd, old, crazy, fun things that are found in thrift stores. I once went to Goodwill with my sister and we found ourselves looking in the toy section. There we found so many toys that we used to have when we were kids and it was fun reminiscing. Another good reason to take someone with you is to get a second opinion. Take someone you trust so that you can get honest answers about items you want to purchase.
3. Have a list, or at least an idea, of what you are looking for.
Thrift stores can quickly become overwhelming to many people. To avoid getting overwhelmed, and thus not finding anything, you need to have a plan. Most people go to a thrift store because they are looking for something and they want to find it cheap. So, what do you want to find? Lately, the two things I have been looking for are blazers and a jean skirt. When I go into a thrift store, I will begin by searching the racks that have all of the blazers and jean skirts on them. If I have time, then I will look at other areas of the store that interest me.
4. Do not buy anything broken, stained, ripped, or otherwise damaged.
Chances are, you are not going to fix whatever it is when you get home. Your best bet is to skip all of the damaged items and move on to better quality items. This will help you save time and money both during your shopping trip and in the long run if you are only focusing on the good stuff. Also, don't buy something with the intent to have it tailored to you unless you are actually going to have it tailored. The item will take up valuable space in your closet and be a waste of money otherwise.
5. Set a budget.
Prices at thrift stores are often really low. Avoid the urge to buy everything you find because it is cheap! Set a budget and choose items that you truly need and that are good quality. The only time you can, and should, ignore this rule is to splurge on a vintage leather Coach purse in great condition for only $20 on half price day. Maybe Coach and other designer bag brands aren't your thing. My point is, you can spend a little extra if you find something that you love and it is in good condition. It won't be there when you come back.
6. Discount days!
Many thrift stores offer discounts on certain days of the week. Learn when those discount days are! Goodwill offers 50 percent off specific tag colors on most days of the week. Goodwill also has a membership card (which is free and they can look it up by phone number if you lose it) which will get you discounts for your birthday, $5 back after purchase requirements, and other deals. Value Village offers alternating half price days for clothing and household items during the week. On weekends, Value Village offers half price on everything in the store! Know your thrift store's discounts and you will be able to get items for incredible steals.
7. Take your phone with you (and have access to the Internet).
If you are looking at a vintage Coach bag in the locked case at your favorite thrift store and you want to know if it is real, then it will be helpful to have a phone with you that has Internet access. You might have also found a beautiful cashmere sweater and you want to know if you really need to have it dry cleaned or if you can wash it at home. (You can wash cashmere and wool at home, but that is beyond the scope of this article.) You can also look up original prices and current going rates on eBay or other online sellers for items to see what a great deal you are getting.
8. Keep going back because inventory is constantly changing.
There will be times when you don't find anything. Walking into a thrift store and finding the perfect 1920s style dress for a "Great Gatsby" inspired party that you are attending later that same day, within the first 10 minutes of being in the store doesn't always happen. (That actually did happen to me though and it was awesome!) In the last four months, I have been to the Goodwill on 27th Street three times, the new Goodwill on Howell Avenue in Oak Creek twice, the Goodwill out in Waukesha once (because it's far away), and the Value Village in St. Francis at least six times. I still haven't found the jean skirt I have been looking for! Thrift stores are constantly changing their inventory so you might not find what you are looking for this week, but it might be there next week. Keep searching and never give up!
