Shopping at a thrift store can be overwhelming and takes patience and self-control. There’s a strategy to become an excellent thrift store shopper and these tips will help you find deals well below standard retail pricing.
Don't thrift on Saturday.
Thrift stores are crowded during the weekend and most of the inventory will have already been picked over. Try to go to the store in the middle of the week.
Visit often.
New merchandise is received daily and thrift stores are always putting out new items. Most items are one of a kind, so they can disappear fast if you don’t visit often.
Shop on discount days.
Many thrift stores offer special discounts on certain days. Discounts for students, senior citizens, and people in the military are common. Some stores will have days where a specific color-coded tag will be an additional percentage off.
Check the fitting room return rack.
These are items that were good enough to be tried on but for some reason, an individual decided not to buy them. Many times, you’ll find a great piece that didn't work on someone else due to the size of the clothing.
Go with a list.
Before going to the thrift store write down what kind of items you’re interested in. This will save you time from searching through racks of items you don’t want.
Area impacts the store.
In more affluent areas, higher-priced items tend to be donated. However, this means people will travel further to visit thrift stores in these areas, resulting in more competition. Also, these stores may charge higher prices due to their location.
Be selective.
The prices at a thrift store tend to be lower-priced; however, don’t buy items you will never wear. If you don’t typically wear bright colors, a neon pink blazer probably won't be something you would get much use of. Remember it’s okay to not buy anything and leave behind items you don’t absolutely love.
Shop off-season.
Merchandise tends to be lower priced when the demand is very low. Try shopping for heavy coats during the summer and spring dresses in the winter. After certain holidays, such as Christmas, stores will provide additional discounts on holiday-specific items.
Look for items to repurpose.
Having an open and creative mindset is important when going thrift store shopping. Many items, such as furniture, need a new coat of paint. With basic sewing skills, a dress can be made into a top and skirt.
Be nice to the employees.
You should be nice to people in general; however, thrift store workers also often have experiences with unpleasant customers. You’ll make their day much better and if an employee likes you. They will also be more likely to tell you when certain items are restocked or helpful tips.
Join their loyalty program.
Many thrift stores have loyalty programs. These programs will inform you about upcoming discounts, and some will provide members with coupons.
Different store specialties.
Thrift shopping will be a lot easier if you know what a thrift store carries ahead of time. Look at reviews to determine which stores have items you’re interested in. Also, go to a variety of thrift stores and write down what each store specializes in. Some stores carry more furniture, while others focus more on clothing and accessories.
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