Good morning, Frugalistas! This week is Fashion Week at The Frugalista Files! Many of my friends, like Katy at The Non-Consumer Advocate, are big thrift store shoppers. Thrift store shopping is not my strength, although it’s increasing in popularity because of the economy. I get a little overwhelmed in the stores and if I get something used, I get it from a friend. I like a case history with my clothes. However, I visited The Salvation Army in Fort Lauderdale recently on media day to check out the thrift store scene.
Here are some of the finds that The Salvation Army showcased for us:
*a red Betsy Johnson cocktail dress for $59.99, originally $330
*A Gucci credit card holder, brand new, for $50, originally $150
*A platinum engagement ring for $550, originally $1,800.
Yay!
Here are some insider secrets on how to get the "good goods" at thrift stores, courtesy of Corbin Dial, a production supervisor at The Salvation Army:
*Make friends with the sales associates at the stores. Tell them what you are looking for and they will let you know if it enters the store. For instance, if you need a a size 10 little black dress, let the friendly associates know and if they like you, they will alert you when the store has it available
*Don’t shop there when you need something, which leads to frustration. Browse regularly to get the good buys.
*Don’t just shop there for clothes. You can get fine art work, golf clubs and china at thrift stores. Keep your mind open to the possibilities!
One of the best things about shopping at The Salvation Army is that your purchases support the social service programs of the organization. When you shop there, you know that your money is going to help people live better lives. Also, donations to the Salvation Army are tax deductible. I love a write-off! 
Do you shop at thrift stores? Do you have some tricks of the trade you can share with us on how to get the good stuff? What was your best find at a thrift store? Do thrift stores make you uncomfortable?
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{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
I love, love, love, love LOVE thrift stores, I love yard sales too, but thrifts are much more organized….
My husband is a manual labor worker, and I learned quickly I would not be buying brand new “work” clothes every quater.
I went this weekend to TSA and bought 5 pairs of very gently used cargo pants for 3.49 each. One pair needed a pocket patched..but…I just ripped it out.
I do find in my area it’s best to go the first of the month to get the best selection, the end of the month to get the cheapest prices.
If there is a club or something you can sign up for coupons, do it. I have a coupon right now for 20% off on a Tuesday for Goodwill.
Also, check your clothing items THOROUGHLY before purchasing, most thrifts have a no return policy. I inspect seams, turn clothes inside out, do tug-tests. I also take a Tide pen with me. This way I can try to get a stain out in the store before buying. Also, because these items have probably been worn before, be sure to try them on. Nothing worse than scoring a cheap, but cute pair of jeans, only to find out they’ve been “conformed” to someone else’s tush.
I don’t recommend buying shoes for a thrift store….or mattresses…unless brand new with the tags/plastic on them. They sell them, and some people buy them, but that’s just a bit much for me. Also, food prep items are fine to buy (toaters mixers, etc) just soak the food touching parts in bleach water, then drop them in boiling water for about 10 min.
Electronics are tricky. I tend to stay away from them, but once scored a brand new Simon for 2.00, just because the box was old and damaged.
Hope this helps
Actually…I mean food prep itmes like mixers, blenders, food processors….sorry.
I find the HUGE Goodwill type thrift stores to be a bit overwhelming. I have better luck at smaller thrift stores – also consignment stores tend to be more organized and have better quality control. Shopping for “previously enjoyed” items is not one-size-fits-all anymore. There are lots of options these days.
Thrift store accessories are #1. Since fashion moves in repeat cycles, there are tons of bulky belts, yellows and plums that add a little trendy spice on the racks. I love finding a cute clutch that I know I will use maybe 4 times a year. I’m not a fan of thrift store art, but I do find a lot of great frames at thrift stores. I often use these for nice looking posters and prints that I get at cultural festivals. It just gives the piece that extra character.
I’m inspired.
My son has a brand new Land’s End coat that he wouldn’t wear last year because it was “puffy.”
%&$#$@!
I’m selling it today on craigslist for $35. I’ll take that money and get him a new, hopefully non-puffy coat for $5 or so, which will leave me a little something extra.
A Gucci credit card holder I need like a hole in the head. But maybe I can find a few more cute sweaters to wear around my freezing cold house.
If I’m going to keep the house at 62 degrees, I might as well look good.
Katy Wolk-Stanley/Ice-Princess
“Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without.”
http://thenonconsumeradvocate.com
I shop at thrift stores. Usually once a season and I will go with one of my girlfriends who is an expert at it. She can tell something is quality by the feel of the fabric. When we go we go for HOURS. She can literally feel something, tell is quality and when she pulls it off the rack to look at the label it usually ends up being designer.
I don’t have any tricks of the trade BUT my BEST find was a Donna Karen collection sample dress. Meaning it is one of a kind, once on the runway. I got it for $3.99 because the day I went thrifting all dresses were $3.99.
Thrift stores do make me uncomfortable because they are so overwhelming. But that’s why I go with a friend and as much as I HATE trying on clothes, my girlfriend makes me try on everything and makes notes of what needs to be tailored on the clothes so they can fit me better.
Frugalista, my girlfriend is like the thrifty version of Tim Gunn and his side kick. Because we’ll find something in a thrift store and she will alter it for me if she can. She has a sewing machine, etc.
Jeanine: You inspire me! You know the art well.
Rippy: I agree. Lots of thrift products out there.
Nicki: Oh, good catch! Why didn’t I know about all these treasures?
Katy: Aw. Team Gucci! Let me know how the craiglist sale goes!
Tiffany: Can I borrow your friend for a day?
I agree with the poster that says to look at seams. I’ve also heard of people getting fleas from clothing that they didn’t check out.
It’s always a bad idea to buy a used mattress – bed bugs are almost impossible to eradicate.
I donate more than I buy from GoodWill, but it’s always great to fins a treasure!
These are great tips. I love to shop at thrift stores about a week after Christmas. Now I am putting together a bunch of stuff to donate. Thanks for the post!
Valerie
Frugal Family Fun Blog
Good times on a budget!
http://www.frugalfamilyfunblog.com
The last time I went in a thrift store was weird. I saw two pairs of shoes I’d donated a few months prior and a pair of my husband’s dress shoes. I couldn’t help but laugh, and pretty loud I might add. Sooo, yes, I like the things I find in thrift stores…but not enough to buy them again.
I love thrift stores. I have a great collection of valuable cookbooks that I’ve picked up at thrifts for $1-$4. I’m picky about the clothes I buy. It has to fit and it cannot look as if it went through the last world war.
As for mattresses, ask the clerks. I was at a thrift’s back door when a mattress company truck pulled up and dropped off brand new overruns and odd jobs (one color on pillow top, another color on the rest of the mattress) from the factory.
Hi Frugalista,
I just saw your blog and I LOVE it!
I grew up at thrift stores and I’ve noticed that they are a whole lot less gross than they used to be in the 1970s. And there is much better stuff too…perhaps because of consumer spending? Anyway, I find terrific buys at a huge Goodwill in Seattle. Recently I got a new Sigg bottle for 99 cents. Score! However I still can’t bring myself to try on clothing. So I sometimes come home with ill-fitting jeans, which I end up re-donating.
I go to my local Salvation Army and Goodwill bi-monthly for all kinds of things. In the last few months I’ve gotten a Burberry trench coat for $20 (in perfect condition no less), a first printing of Invisible Man for $3, sweaters new with tags, brand new shoes, etc.
My biggest purchases there, however, are books. I am an English professor so I am always building my library. I’ve gone from about 200 books to about 400 in the last year. I haven’t paid more than $3 for a book and most are around $.50.
I go to the thrift stores at least twice a week. Tuesday or Wednesday for the half price “sale” depending on if it is SA or Goodwill and Saturday after I hit the yardsales and estate sales. As a grad student most of my clothes come from Goodwill, I mix new pieces with donated pieces for a nice outfit. Recently got a compliment on a DKNY jacket that I purchased for $1.50(Tuesday sale) that I wore to a job interview… I buy all kinds things from Goodwill. I got a mahogony bedroom set for $60 bought it home refurbished it and you think that I paid out the nose for it. My girlfriends and make a night of it..Goodwill and then to the designated house for the week for cocktails to go over out treasures and to see if anything needs tailoring. Make it fun Frugalistas!!!
I go to the thrift stores at least twice a week. Tuesday or Wednesday for the half price “sale” depending on if it is SA or Goodwill and Saturday after I hit the yardsales and estate sales. As a grad student most of my clothes come from Goodwill, I mix new pieces with donated pieces for a nice outfit. Recently got a compliment on a DKNY jacket that I purchased for $1.50(Tuesday sale) that I wore to a job interview… I buy all kinds things from Goodwill. I got a mahogony bedroom set for $60 bought it home refurbished it and you think that I paid out the nose for it. My girlfriends and make a night of it..Goodwill and then to the designated house for the week for cocktails to go over out treasures and to see if anything needs tailoring. Make it fun Frugalistas!!!
I have a 9 year old daughter who is just getting into “outfits”… she thinks its sooo much fun to go and pick out a whole outfit. I frequent my favorite local TT (thrift town), I cannot tell you the number of incredible deals I have gotten… I also use the “fabric feel” technique then i check the brands. Latest good deal, looks-like-new new pair of Guess Jeans for my tiny 7 year old… 3.00$. I could not clothe my children without TT and I will not shop at a box store!
I love thrift store shopping! One of my favorite things is saving money on just about everything. I go to thrift stores a few times a week – I love that every time I go I find something new!!
I don’t know about thrift stores but consignments shops are great for scoring bargains – a lot of the stuff has never been worn. I heard a lady screaming in the dressing room – “A Dior for only fifty dollars – I don’t care if it fits me or not!”