The thrift store is a blessing for those of us who need to watch our spending habits. The styles are varied, you never know what you might find, and everything is much less expensive than in a retail store. If you’re new to thrift shopping, it’s easy to fall into certain shopping traps that can make your trips less successful. To get the most out of your next visit, here are some thrift shopping tips and tricks for beginners to give you an upper hand.
Pick the Best Time
Timing is important when it comes to thrift shopping. The days of the week and time of day that you choose to enter a thrift store can completely change your experience. To beat the worst of the crowds and get the largest selection, try to get there very early in the morning or on weekdays. These times tend to see fewer people and allow you more breathing room to look around.
Filter Your Finds
One of the best thrift shopping tips for a beginner is to figure out how to set a filter over what you see. It’s easy to find yourself distracted by everything going on in a thrift store, especially if it’s busy. The best thing to do is try to filter through as many items as possible by narrowing your search parameters. Decide on finding only a certain color or certain cut, and focus only on pieces that meet your criteria.
Wear Appropriate Dress
Not all thrift stores will have dressing rooms where you can try all your finds on. You obviously can’t start taking your clothes off in public, so the best thing to do is to wear tight-fitting clothes and slip things you find on over them. This way, you can still check the fit before you buy without having to wait for a dressing room.
Inspect Everything Closely
If you don’t look closely at your finds, you may end up with something you can’t even use at the end of the day. Make sure any clothes you choose are free of hidden holes or stains. For other items, such as games, books, or furniture, make sure you don’t see any noticeable damage or missing pieces.
Check Multiple Locations
Just because one location doesn’t have what you want doesn’t mean another location won’t. If there’s something you really need to get a deal on, don’t give up at your first thrift store. Because the inventory is usually the result of donations, thrift stores in close proximity can still have massive differences in the products they receive. Search your local network of thrift stores, and you’re sure to find something you love.
