How to Thrift: A Newbie Guide
Thrift shopping (thrifting) is absolutely not rocket science. I know. I do think the experience can be overwhelming when you first start out. Here are a few tips to help you be successful and maintain your patience when you're new on the thrift scene.
When I'm talk about thrifting, I hear a lot of "I never find anything" or "it's too much effort" followed by they just don't have the patience for thrift shopping. Most thrifters will tell you patience is key to having a successful treasure filled haul. It's one of my thrift rules but just in case you're running low on it, keep these tips in mind.
Go as soon as the store opens or an hour or two before closing. If you have a non conventional schedule, during typical work hours are a great time to go. Absolutely do not go when there is a big sale. There's usually competition large crowds of people during these sales so I would say avoid them in the beginning.
Since I'm shopping with V most of the time, I normally don't have time to go through the entire store from top to bottom. I like to look in bins and scan the floors for misplaced treasure. V doesn't have that kind of patience so what I do is pick a section to visit and only look in that section for the day.
For instance, I will visit the store and only look for jeans. I go through the entire rack throwing pairs in my cart that look good to me. I don't check the size tag, I just eyeball it. After I've gone through the section, I try on all the pairs I found and choose from those. By searching one section, it doesn't feel so vast and overwhelming.
Keep out of Goodwill and Salvation Army and the other larger chain stores for now. Find a small church or for-profit thrift store. There's less to look through and it's probably more organized.
I have a local spot that is walking distance from my home. The store is clean and well organized. The prices are cheaper than larger thrift stores. It's never crowded and they are more likely to haggle. The clothes don't even have that lovely thrift store scent only a seasoned thrifter can appreciate.
When I'm talk about thrifting, I hear a lot of "I never find anything" or "it's too much effort" followed by they just don't have the patience for thrift shopping. Most thrifters will tell you patience is key to having a successful treasure filled haul. It's one of my thrift rules but just in case you're running low on it, keep these tips in mind.
Tip #1: Shop off peak hours.
Go as soon as the store opens or an hour or two before closing. If you have a non conventional schedule, during typical work hours are a great time to go. Absolutely do not go when there is a big sale. There's usually competition large crowds of people during these sales so I would say avoid them in the beginning.
All of my favorite thrift store usually have something on sale everyday so you can still find a good deal. Thrift shopping in itself is a pretty good deal.
Tip #2: Pick a section.
For instance, I will visit the store and only look for jeans. I go through the entire rack throwing pairs in my cart that look good to me. I don't check the size tag, I just eyeball it. After I've gone through the section, I try on all the pairs I found and choose from those. By searching one section, it doesn't feel so vast and overwhelming.
Tip #3: Go small.
I have a local spot that is walking distance from my home. The store is clean and well organized. The prices are cheaper than larger thrift stores. It's never crowded and they are more likely to haggle. The clothes don't even have that lovely thrift store scent only a seasoned thrifter can appreciate.
What tips do you have for the thrifting newb?
Comments
xo Megan
Because I always have my 7 and 10 yo girls with me when I go thrift shopping, I only go to shops that have a book section. They happily sit and look at the books while I shop, and I let them buy any that interest them; it doesn't break the bank and makes my shopping much easier. I've also become a firm regular at a couple of local shops which have older ladies volunteering - they are lovely with kids and will often find special clothing items for my girls that they think might interest them.