thrift stores vs. department stores

I love thrift stores. I do alot of crafts and can find so much there. I get clothes, kids books, etc. I love finding clothes w/ the original price tags on them. I usually get cheap stuffed animals for my dog to chew on. like you, i wouldn't dare touch swim suits or undergarments. I don't know what people are thinking when they donate those items or why the thrift store tries to sell them. *shudder* I also don't get socks, flipflop, opened makeup or pacifiers, hats, anything that goes in your hair, etc. I don't know what it is about the Goodwill, but everytime i go in there, there's this smell that makes me feel sick everytime i go in. It doesn't matter which one it is, they all smell the same. Some have said it's the clothes, but I've been to other thrift stores and the clothes aren't doing it. I can't spend alot of time in there, because i just get huge migraines if i do.

'Thrift Stores' (or what I call 'op shops', here in Australia) are where I undertake most of my clothing shopping. I never buy underwear or swimmers, but I get amazing bargains, and a bag of awesome clothes for under $10 - all of which goes towards deserving charities anyway. My mum buys something new from the store near her work every day! =] I buy old granny dresses and seemingly unfashionable things that I think I wear with fashion and style =D I certainly give these ol' clothes a new life, and I love it. Filling my wardrobe with cool clothes for a couple of dollars certainly doesn't bother me =D

OMG I LOVE shopping at thrift stores!! You can find some really great items and killer prices and since I'm big on sewing and doing clothing recons its a great place for me to shop :-D BUT like you I'd never buy swimsuits or under garments..thats just wrong to me on so many levels.

i only shop at thrift stores for most of my clothes etc. i am like you tho, i dont really like the thought of wearing some one elses bathing suit. but seriously, what makes me cringe is the high prices of clothes today. a pair of jeans for $40? are you kidding me? not when i can get the same pair at my favourite thrift store for $6!

I am not into trift stores that much, I do not like to wear used clothing.

I love thrift stores. There is nothing wrong with buying at a secondhand shop. You get the best deals. I bought a whole stack of baby clothes for fifty cents for each piece. Spend about five bucks for clothes that lasted my little ones all winter. Like you, there are certain things that I won't buy like under garments, linguire, bedding, and beds, but other than that...anything goes :)