Yesterday I drove by my local Value Village Thrift Store who had a massive sign about a store-wide sale of 50% off everything in store. Unfortunately I didn’t have the time to stop in and check out the sale. Most Thrift stores in my vicinity (and there are three or four) have a 50% off sales usually once a month. Value Village hosts their half off sale always on Monday’s and typically happens within one of the first two Mondays of every month. I’ve always shopped at thrift stores, and even more so enjoy shopping when you can get any item in the store for 50% off.
Any smart shopper will tell you that you can find some pretty great deals, hidden treasures and collector items in Thrift stores. You can get the most for your money while pursuing the aisles for great deals. There is a misconception though. Most people associate Thrift stores as a place for the poor people in society to shop and get items at a significantly less of a price than what they would pay at the malls. Thrift stores are there for everyone – not just the poor people. Anyone looking to save a few bucks, get a good bargain and support a good cause can gain a lot by shopping at Thrift stores.
I’m not ashamed to admit that I often visit Thrift stores. And not just on 50% off days. There are good deals to be found if one is willing to take some time and pursue the aisles. In the past I’ve been able to find brand name clothing with tags still attached for a fraction of the price that I would pay in the mall.I proudly shop thrift stores, yard sales, garage sales for great deals. Do I think thrift stores are for everyday people? Absolutely. Anyone can find great deals on everyday items, clothing, books, costumes and even furniture.
Here’s a true story. A close friend, who’s a total fashonista only shops at thrift stores. All the clothes that she wears are designer labels, and when we walk in together to any local Thrift store, everyone knows her by name. The only items in her wardrobe that she buys new are shoes and undergarments. And here’s the kicker’; she earns six figures working in a fancy law-firm in downtown Toronto.
Purchasing items from thrift stores is more than just getting a bargain. Majority if the items are dropped off by people who no longer the items, while other items are collected through local clothing drives. Thrift stores such as the Salvation Army reinvest part of the earned money back into the community by helping those less fortunate by providing affordable housing, food and clothing.
Another benefit to shopping in Thrift stores is that you are helping environmentally. Rather than just throwing out the clothes you or your kids grew out of, you can drop it off at your local Thrift store for FREE. In return someone will come along and purchase your item, because they found a good deal, it fits them, fits their lifestyle or a combo of the tree. Anyone looking to save a few bucks, get a great bargain and give back to the community – shopping at Thrift stores is the way to go. This could be a wealthy but frugal person (like my friend), a middle class person trying to stretch a dollar, or a poor person who needs cheaper goods. Assuming to think only poor people should shop there is simply an assumption.
I wholeheartedly believe that thrift stores are for everyday people, because there is something for everyone. Money donated through purchases at places like Salvation Army will eventually go back to benefit those who are truly in need of it. I may have slowed down my shopping in recent years ( including Thrift stores), but at the end of the day I’m a huge advocate for the Thrift store. They’re a good option for anyone and even better for the environment.
What are your thoughts on Thrift stores and shopping in them?
Eddie
Yes there are all kinds of great finds at a thrift store. I make a point of donating items there whenever I move. I haven’t shopped there much, but I should give it another try. My problem is that I am fairly tall which makes clothes shopping hard enough as it is. I’ve been meaning to get a few used items since moving though. So perhaps I’ll swing by Value Village later today.
Modest Money recently posted..End of March 2012 Blog Update
Hey! Thanks for stopping by again.
Yeah it’s much tougher to find clothes for taller people, but there are decent household items. Let us know how you make out, maybe it be good if you wrote a post on it. Cheers!
I see nothing wrong with shopping at them. Sometimes you can find great stuff.
I agree Michelle. Most of the time you can find good stuff, however most people aren’t willing to invest time to look for stuff.
Thrift stores can be a nice option to save money. Thanks for sharing :)
They are a great option.
Thanks for stopping by and sharing!
I’ve never really thought of checking them out, but my co-worker swears by it! I’ll definitely give it a second look.
SavingfromScratch recently posted..How do I file my taxes?
I think your co-worker is onto something.
Check it out, they’re more good than bad.
It really is just a case of knowing what you are looking for. Some of the products are cheap rubbish, but I’ve always found that thrift stores can have some excellent deals too.
Richard recently posted..Artificial Grass
I do agree that some products are worn, broken and simply dirt cheap, but there are decent good deals to be found.
Thrift stores are like a huge yard sale to me (and I love a good yard sale). It’s like a scavenger hunt and you never know when you’re going to find a hidden treasure. I use to shop at thrift stores a lot more, but here in the NYC area, even the thrift stores are expensive (overpriced in my opinion) and you have to fight the “buyers” scooping up the designer goods and reselling them at the vintage stores. I still like thrift store shopping when I go home, or am outside of the city.
Kari@Small Budget Big Dreams recently posted..Do You Suffer From Multitask Mania?