10 Tips For Shopping At A Thrift Store
February 26, 2012
10 TIPS FOR SHOPPING AT A THRIFT STORE

Save money, get unusual stuff, and have fun. Where can you do all that? At a thrift store!!

Here are 10 tips that can help you better shop at a thrift store:

1) Show up on stocking days: Many thrift stores have a particular day of the week that they put out new merchandise. Find out what that day is, and show up then to get first pick of the latest deals.

2) Search for quality: This is especially true with clothing. Know your name Brands, and keep your eyes open for items you know are of good quality.

3) Make a list: Even though impulse buying at the thrift store is probably not as bad as when you are paying full price on an impulse purchase, those little surprises can add up. Then again, you never know what you might find!!

4) Return until you find what you want: Check back over time, looking for what you want. Changes are that, eventually, you will find what you are looking for.

5) Watch for sales: Even thrift stores have sales. Some offer "fill a bag" promotions, "clearance" sales at the end of the season and other sales. T

6) Shop during the week: Weekend shoppers are out in force from Friday evening until Sunday evening. Avoid the crowds (and avoid competition for the best finds) by visiting the thrift store during the week.

7) Ask about store credit: Some thrift stores only accept donations, but others also accept consignment items and will give you store credit for what you bring in.

8) Be careful about overdoing it: It can be very tempting to go a little crazy at the thrift store, buying several things at once. If you only need three dress shirts, don't go nuts and buy 10 or 11. That is, unless they're an extraordinary name brand at an extraordinary price!!

9) Plan to take awhile: A trip to the thrift store can take time, since you will probably have to dig around a little. Be prepared to take around an hour - or more. Best to leave the kids at home for a serious trip to the thrift store.

10) Don't forget to donate! Finally, you want the thrift store to keep going. So donate some of your unneeded items as well. Keep the cycle going, and provide great deals for others, just as they are providing them for you.

And by the way, thrift store shopping is a great way to teach older children the value of the dollar! I used to give my 12 year old $10 and go 'window shopping' at a big store like Macy's. Then we'd take the same $10 and go to a thrift store!! Now she's older - she still loves to go thrift store shopping!!

Posted by Ken at 3:00 AM