Thrift shops
By mystikel
@mystikel (577)
Australia
February 9, 2007 3:14pm CST
Have you noticed that thrift shops are no longer that?
Things are donated to them to help people out and they seem to be charging a lot for clothes etc. I used to love going shopping at thrift shops but these days I cant afford to so I goto garage sales instead where you can get better value for money.
What are some of your experiences....do you think they are charging too much for their items these days?
4 people like this
6 responses
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
11 Feb 07
One thing might be that in many of the cities the Thrift or Opportunity Shops now have professional managers in, and they have to be paid. :)
This is one things that I have noticed more in the cities than out in the country, which is mostly where I go anyway but if the price is too high, then I will make an offer at a lower price. Also if I see something that is almost as dear as what it is brand new, then I will make a comment to the staff.
There a few around where we go mostly and one in particular is excellent on price plus the women there are a very friendly helpful lot. This is in a small town too and all goods are donated and the money actually does go to the local charities.
A trick a couple who do a lot of this sort of shopping, then resell on eBay I might add, said that they only ever take in their change purse with an assortment of small change. If they see something that they want and the price is too high, then they will search through the purse counting out the money. Often they will get it for the lower amount apparently, although I am not sure that it is something that I would try.
@ossie16d (11821)
• Australia
15 Feb 07
Actually on the whole most of these shops are good, with a few exceptions. Today I picked an absolute bargain and it was just lucky too. We went into one down in Melbourne as my husband is always looking for new books to read and as usual I headed to check out the kitchen things, just in case there was something that I needed.
Then onto the furniture, but nothing there that was suitable unfortunately. However I walked back to the front of the store and there was this table, just what I wanted. It had 6 hold stickers on it and so I asked the woman there if it was sold or what. This other customer told me that she wanted it if nobody else wanted it but they wouldn't let her put a hold on it, so I couldn't have it. She was just so rude and I was talking to the staff anyway. So when everyone had left, I asked the staff about it again. One person had till 5 pm to pick it up and by this time it was 4.55pm, so I pulled the money out of my purse and put it on the bench. When the person didn't arrive at 5.00 pm, the staff woman had my money in her hand and then dithered. Much talking and I was actually offering more than they were asking for it, so at 5.05pm she let me take it.
It is actually a very old dining table but both ends drop down so it actually fits into a small space. Apparently they had reduced the price as it had been there for ages, but they had the ends up so it didn't look as good as it could and many people would not have recognised it for what it was. It will need to be sanded back and repolished but will come up a treat. I got a bargain in fact, as it is an antique but does need work as I said, but they got more than they were asking for it.
No, I don't feel at all guilty about it either as none of the other people had left any money at all. I initially offered to leave a deposit but they wouldn't take it, so I paid the lot and got the table. :)
@mystikel (577)
• Australia
13 Feb 07
I couldnt try the no change thing either.
I do buy books and resell on ebay. Sometime I can be very lucky with ones I get. Being a single mum I find it a good way to get a bit of pocket money for my kids. But dont think I could talk down the thrift shop in price just so I make more. You never know when you might neeed their help.
@ElusiveButterfly (45940)
• United States
9 Feb 07
I visit our local thrift shops and make many purchases. If I don't like the price I will haggle over it. There have been times when I see an item and the price is outrageous. But, if I want the item, I will try to talk the price down. Tag sales and garage sales are great places to find bargains too. But, I have encountered the same problem of things being priced too high.
@randomosity_prevails (1110)
•
9 Feb 07
I noticed recently that all my local charity shops were putting their prices up. There are a couple that have remained quite low - where I can still get a book for 25p, but most of them now charge £1.50 for a battered, stained paperback. I am still able to get a pair of jeans for £5, which is great though.
@Savingsibes (175)
• United States
10 Feb 07
I agree 100%. I pop into Goodwill and various thrift stores looking for stuffed animals to buy to donate to the animal shelter, and you cannot believe what they charge for a dirty old stuffed animal. A used stuffed animal here usually runs between $2-5. I can buy a new stuffed animal for the same amount on sale. I usually end up getting the manager and asking if I buy a bunch can I get them for 50 cents a piece. While I am in there I look around and I am always amazed. $10 for a terrible jacket that was faded, and prices that I am certain could be bought new, on sale at any target etc. AND, our Goodwill has stuff that is new that Target donates and the prices is always higher than the actual Target price tag. Idiots, why not take the original price off if you are going to charge more.
I realize that it is a charitable donation, but has anyone you know ever gotten anything (monetary etc) from Goodwill? The Salvation Army gives money, energy assistance etc, but I have never heard of someone going in to Goodwill and getting anything.
Personal opinion- If you make less than $30,000 per year for a family of four, or are on any type of assistance, you should get a voucher to be able to get anything you need a Goodwill for free.
@princessmelokia (513)
• Canada
9 Feb 07
I totally agree with you. . . i went into a thrift store the other day and most of there dresses were $20-$30 .. . i could go to a regular store and pay just a little bit more than that for the same dress
