Thrift stores... for them or against them?
By katsmeow1213
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
United States
June 28, 2008 3:46pm CST
I can't say enough good about thrift stores, especially since I shop for 5 kids. I go to my local thrift store every couple weeks and just browse. Typically I don't need anything, but that's the best time to go. I will buy winter clothes in the middle of summer if I see something nice. Last summer I bought my son a very nice winter coat, and come winter time I'd forgotten I had it. I found it right when I was thinking I'd have to go buy him one!
Yesterday I went to a thrift shop and bought an electric heater. Our furnace runs on gas, which is more expensive than electricity, so the more electric heaters I have, the better.
When it comes to kid's clothes, I see no reason not to go with used. They outgrow them so quickly, and stain them and destroy them. I'd hate to spend a lot of money on clothes for them for that reason.
There are many more reasons for shopping at thrift stores. You're helping to recycle used clothing instead of it being thrown away.. also, the thrift store I shop at is a charity, called the Salvation Army. There are many like this. The money they earn goes into programs to help the homeless and hungry, and others of the sort.
But I know a lot of people who wouldn't dream of shopping at a thrift store. They think it's tacky and makes you look poor.
So which are you? Do you shop at thrift stores?
6 people like this
38 responses
@twallace (2675)
• United States
29 Jun 08
You are my kind of shopper and I am for Thrift stores and second hand shops; also Good Will stores. Now most people would not shop at those places but you find some really nice things. You can go in with $20 in your hand and come out with a wardrobe more that what you can shop with in regular stores. You can find funriture, cookware, some things that you might not even thing that you would find there. Then sometime things are brand new and they were donated. So you are one of those good shoppers. Thumbs up to you.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
29 Jun 08
Yes I am often surprised at how much I can find for so little money, and when I need something big that is the first place I look.
@CoffeeAnyone (3210)
• Canada
29 Jun 08
Not all thrift stores dontate most of their profits to charity. From what I was told by a clerk at Value Village in Canada, only 10 percent goes to charity according to what a sales clerk told me. They have super high prices that makes it hard for low income families to shop in. It makes me mad because they get their stuff for free. I try to only shop at thrift stores that give all proceeds to a group or groups in need.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
29 Jun 08
That would make me mad too. I think giving to charity is mostly a perk. I am not against shopping somewhere that does not give to charity, if the price is right... however if they are over charging then it is not worth it.
@bdugas (3578)
• United States
29 Jun 08
I love thrift stores, make my rounds every first of the month, I have found many clothing items in there with the original store tags still on them, apparently someone might of gotten them as a present and didn't like them or too small/large. I look more for the items of furniture, I got most of my Christmas stuff in there as a 7 foot tree like new cost me $8.00. When we first got here from Louisiana and after losing everything we had, we got $2000. to survive on till we could figure out what to do, they gave us an apartment but it was just an empty bunch of rooms, I went to the thrift store and totally furnished it. If you shop around you can find some nice stuff in them. People couldn't believe I got most of it at the thrift store.
I agree small children out grow clothes so fast, same as adults many times you can find new with the tags still on them. And many times you can find items that are different and makes people ask where did you get that, so yes I love them and I think they are doing a great service to the people that are poor or low income, salvation army was there first to help along with red cross after the storm so I think the money they make is used wisely.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
29 Jun 08
I'm sorry to hear of your troubles in Louisianna. I hope things are well for your family now.
@granite_butterfly (448)
• Canada
29 Jun 08
In short, I would be one sparsely dressed woman without thrift stores. I have no shame stating that much of my clothing is previously loved, in fact, I am grateful to have access to thrift stores. Not only do I gain but I am contributing to a greater cause by shopping there. It seems immature or perhaps unenlightened when I hear people sneer and snicker about thrift stores. Really.
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
29 Jun 08
Good for you! I like your attitude towards it, you are much like me in that aspect.
@rrdj71 (696)
• United States
29 Jun 08
HEY!! I think thrift stores are great and are the only place where you find one of a kind items you won't see ever again. I have found some awesome antiques, vintage clothing and other items I now proudly own, some of which still had the original tags on them. As a matter of fact, last week I bought a bikini top for my bathing suit and it still had the price tag on it. I payed only $1.50 and when I got home I got online and it happened to be from a famous Italian designer and the real price for it was............. $79.00!!!! Now that's AWESOME!!
1 person likes this
@TessWhite (3146)
• United States
29 Jun 08
Definitely for thrift stores. Not only can you get fantastic bargains, but often you can get unique items. Plus, its another form of recycling so its good for our planet AND our wallet. We have one here locally but I often forget to go there, its just always so very crowded. My mom also bought many of my school clothes when I was a child from garage sales. I'd always get new shoes, but usually used clothing. I think my favorite thing to buy at thrift stores is odd pieces of furniture that are all beat up. I LOVE to paint them in bright funky colors or patterns. I even turned one old chair into a planter. Painted it bright purple and planted it with hot pink flowers and sat it in my front yard. Before I knew it everyone wanted one. LOL
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
29 Jun 08
That is cool I wish I was creative enough to do that. Perhaps some day when I have more time and money to experiment with those type things.
@crazynurse (7482)
• United States
29 Jun 08
When my children were young I most certainly bought a great deal of their clothing at thrift stores. As you said, they destroy them anyway! I especially bought play clothes at thrift stores. In the smaller sizes children often outgrow them before they are worn out. Often there are brand new clothes in the thrift store too, likely a gift to a child that was the wrong size! I think it is silly to look down one's nose at thrift stores. What a great way to recycle! My most favored sports jacket that I wear to work was a thrift store find. Our college colors are black and orange. One day while browsing in a thrift store I spotted a gorgeous orange sports jacket. I got it for 4 dollars. I wear it with black slacks to college functions. The college president's wife has told me on numerous occassions that she wished she had my sports coat!
1 person likes this
@moondancer (7431)
• United States
29 Jun 08
I love thrift stores. I usually go the the disabled american vet store in town. The money goes to help the vets. I also give things to them so they have more to sell. They usually ask such a small price for things. So I visit there often and buy a lot when I go.
My grandchildren love to go there and buy things too. So we usually make a day of it and go there and to lunch.
We don't have a salvation army here. We have goodwill and the dav. The good will here charges as much as WalMart for their things. On the first Sat of the month things are half off so they can get rid of more to make room for the things they have in the back stocked up. I go here too as well as the dav store.
1 person likes this
@ShepherdSpy (8544)
• Omagh, Northern Ireland
29 Jun 08
I don't think anybody could be against those Charity sponsored thrift stores-I pass stuff on to the Cancer Charity ones in my area-they don't just sell pre-owned stuff-I bought my coffee percolator in one,and I check out the selection of books they have when I call in!
1 person likes this
@PearlGrace (3171)
• United States
29 Jun 08
Hi katsmeow1213.
There are some really good deals at our local Goodwill store. I tend to shop just for books there as there are usually some recently published books for a fraction of the cost. I do not tend to shop for clothing in second hand shops, but I am not a big shopper anyway.
I have looked for interesting, old-looking kitchenware in the Goodwill, even though I rarely buy it. You know, like a pretty, crystal cake keeper or some old silver or something like that.
It's a fun place to stop at on a Saturday afternoon when my husband are out and about. But again, we usually just buy the books. I agree that kids grow so quickly that shopping for their clothing in second hand shops can be a real savings. Happy shopping.
@DonnaLawson (4032)
• United States
29 Jun 08
I do like to visit a thrift store occasionally, but I normally don't find anything that I like.. I don't have children to have to buy for and hubby and I have more than enough clothing, so I really don't need or can't find anything.. I am a rummage sale or flea market fanatic, now that is where I find my bargains.. I collect off-white old pottery, Precious Moments, Old pottery, Fenton glassware, and anything vintage 50's to go in my kitchen, so I stick with the flea markets or yard sales, I stand a better chance of finding more things there than at a thrift store..
1 person likes this
@sun2day (1062)
• Virgin Islands (U.S.)
29 Jun 08
I love going to thrift stores. It is time consuming, but fun. I can spend all day just walking around in those stores. I take time to go through what am looking for and sometimes I come up an some really great deals.
For me, as long as I am comfortable with what am doing, later for them. I am my own person, who cares what they think?
1 person likes this
@Wizzywig (7847)
•
28 Jun 08
I went in just this morning. As you say, its a good place to browse as you never know what you'll find there. Our town is only small but we have 3 - The Red Cross; Samaritans and Douglas MacMillan Cancer charity. I've bought all sorts of stuff there over the years. My best buy was a leather coat which had hardly been worn and cost me £4.50 - around $9 I think. I hate to see useable things thrown away and have told my family that, when my time is up, anything of mine they dont want to keep goes to the charity shop!
1 person likes this
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
28 Jun 08
That's how I feel too, and I got so frustrated.. when my mom passed away over a year ago, my uncle was living with her. He decided anything that wasn't taken by me, my brother or him was thrown in the dumpster!!!
I took a lot more than I wanted/needed just to make sure these items got a home with someone who would love them instead of tossed in the garbage.
@piggywiggy (48)
• Philippines
29 Jun 08
here in the philippines our thrift shops are called "ukay ukay" and most people prefer to buy second hand clothes than that of new ones because there are who almost look brand new and fashionable as well. of course when you buy at these stores you have to choose carefully to get your money's worth and pick ones which can still be mended. if you are creative enough the clothes can be inspiring to be renovated into new styles and such.
1 person likes this
@irishmist (3814)
• United States
29 Jun 08
I think thrift store are a wonderful thing. We have about three of them where I live. You can get some really good stuff, sometimes even brand new things. My daughter has 3 kids and she sometimes goes to the thrift shops, and our thrift shops help the less fortunate as well.
1 person likes this
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
29 Jun 08
I bought a London Fog raincoat in perfect condition at a thrift shop. It was a deal too good to pass up.
However, I have a problem with people who donate their pit stained shirts to a thrift store and even more to stores that try to sale them, along with other things that should have been trashed.
@irishidid (8687)
• United States
29 Jun 08
You do have a point there. I have grabbed up old sweaters for the yarn before.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
29 Jun 08
You know, there is always a use for a stained shirt... but no it shouldn't be paid for. What those stores should do is offer a "free" bin of all the clothes that are stained or have holes. Because those items can be used as rags or craft fabric or something.
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
29 Jun 08
In the UK we don't have thrift shops as such, but we have charity shops. And I love 'em!
I love to browse and see what I can come up with. Sometimes it's aload of old tat, but other times I've found some real gems.
Sadly, there's a very few where I live now 
1 person likes this
@jdyrj777 (6528)
• United States
29 Jun 08
When my kids were small i used to go shopping for their clothes in thrift stores too. Now my daughter shops for her small kids clothes there too. Alot of times i go with her. I have found some really good stuff there for myself too. Not only clothes but household items. I found a wok once. Not those electric ones either. For electronics and electric appliances i would rather buy new. Warrenty n all. However there are things that are way overpriced at some of the thrif stores. Once i was looking for a pet carrier. I saw 2 there a larger and a saller. The smaller one was marked $20. the larger was $15. Both were dirty. When i questioned the price and asked it to be lowered she said they couldnt do that. I left from there and went to walmart and found new one for $13. So ya gotta watch em. Its like some of the people doing pricing in the thrift stores have never been in a regulat store to see what the going new prices are.
@bdugas (3578)
• United States
29 Jun 08
Agree was at the salvation army the other day they had a couch, looked like leather, but was dirty and it had a reclining end and the reclining end was broke and they had $500. on it, how stupid is that, as if I would give them that kind of price for something broke. Then right beside it was a outside table with an umbrella, 4 chairs with really nice coushins, clean as could be looked like new and had a tag of $129. can you figure, at what i saw it would of been at least $299. or more at wal mart, so how did they figure the couch broken was worth so much and this table and chairs worth so little. I would also like to kow who does the pricing for them, if i see something I like and I think it too much then if they don't want to come down on the price, then they can keep it, guess there is a sucker that will come in eventually.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
29 Jun 08
Yes that is true. Things are occasionally overpriced, and I won't buy them no matter how much I want it. I also don't like how they won't change the prices, ever!! If a price tag happens to fall off, or an item has no tag they will not sell it. That ticks me off sometimes.
That's why I like garage sales too, they will change the prices if you ask them to sometimes.
@shannykins (19)
• United States
28 Jun 08
I always take my stuff to consignment shops. A good way to recycle and make a little money... as long as I don't spend it there. There's way more produced than what is really needed. People are hoarder and consumer more crap than necessary.
@katsmeow1213 (28716)
• United States
28 Jun 08
I will always donate my clothes to thrift stores like the Salvation Army, but I do not earn anything for this. However I can use it as a tax deduction as donating to a charity.
@metschica25 (5399)
• United States
29 Jun 08
Yeah , I always give my stuff there too . Some people really need it and can find a deal on some nice things .You never know what you may come across.
@tamarafireheart (15384)
•
29 Jun 08
Hi Katsmeow1213,
I think is a good thing that do have charity shops no there is nothing wrong in shopping there,I like going to cancer research and oxfam and help the age. I always get a good bargain and they in very condition and it has top brand names.
Happy shopping.
Tamarafireheart.
1 person likes this
