Whether you are looking for vintage or just a great bargain, shopping at a thrift store can be a great experience. From my admired outfit that cost $1.50 to valuable Antique Road Show finds, you’ll do better when you keep the following top ten tips in mind.
10. Shop around to find the best thrift stores. Don’t get turned off by the first thrift store you find. Some are much better than others, so shop around.
9. Set aside enough time to really browse. Sometimes you’ll walk into a thrift store and see exactly what you are looking for from across the room. But, most of the time, shopping at a thrift store is like treasure hunt. You have to dig through the sand to find the gold.
8. Check back frequently. The great thing about thrift stores is that usually, whatever you are looking for will turn up there. I’ve found this to be so true. If you are patient, you may find exactly what you need for a bargain price.
7. Bring cash. While many larger thrift store chains, such as GoodWill, do take credit cards, many smaller shops only operate on cash to reduce their costs. So make sure that you have enough cash with you when you go shopping.
6. Look for coupons and discount days. Most thrift stores will have specials and special savings days, and many actually have coupons in local papers. I’ve seen everything from $1 off $5 coupons to 75% off everything.
5. If you are shopping for clothes, either wear snug clothing so you can try things on over your clothes, or keep a list of exact measurements and bring a tape measure. Many smaller thrift stores don’t offer a changing area.
4. Make sure you test out products before you purchase them. This is especially true about electronics. While many stores will take returns, some do not. Plus, it could be pretty inconvenient to travel back to the store to make a return.
3. See the potential. If you shop at the thrift store looking for perfect like new items, you may be disappointed. While these items do exist and can be found, most of the time there is some little bit of wear. Can you live with a scratch in a table or put an hour worth of sanding and polishing work into it to make it look as good as new?
2. Bring a friend. Shopping at a thrift store can be a fin social outing. Plus your friend will hand you a hermes scarf in just your color and discourage you from purchasing those MC Hammer parachute pants.
1. Have a joyful attitude. Don’t approach shopping in a thrift store as something you have to do. You have choices. Instead, view it as an adventure where you have the opportunity to find something wonderful.
You can read more blog posts by Mary Ann Romans here!
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