Thrift store shopping tips including how to thrift shop, what to look for at thrift stores and helpful tools to take with you while thrift store shopping.
I compiled a list of my top thrift store shopping tips for you, because thrifting is my life. OK, that might be pushing it a bit, but I do like to get my thrift on!
When I was a kid my mom dragged me into thrift stores kicking and screaming. It definitely wasn't my favorite place to hang out, because what 10 year old loves to look through piles of "old" clothes. At that point in time, I'd rather be playing Kick The Can with the neighborhood kids or just about anything other than shopping with my mom!
It wasn't until I was out of college and money was tight that I popped back into a thrift store to look for some deals on furniture for my first apartment. I started looking around and I FELL IN LOVE with all the cool stuff and all the cool prices!
If only I had realized how fun thrift store shopping could be when I was a kid!
So although I missed out on a good 15 years of thrift store shopping, I have more than made up for it since!
TOP TEN THRIFT STORE SHOPPING TIPS:
1) Keep your mind open
If you go in the thrift store looking for a vintage Kodak Brownie Hawkeye camera, then chances are you will be highly disappointed. You might not come away with exactly what you had been looking for, but there are still finds to be had so keep your eyes peeled and your mind open to new possibilities.
2) Go often
I have good days and I have bad days. Just because a store is a dud one day doesn't mean that a person isn't going to drop off a outstanding donation at that same store tomorrow.
3) Go early
But not necessarily when they first open. I find if I go first thing when they open the shelves are a little bare. You've got to give the employees a chance to get the newly donated items priced and onto the shelves.
4) You can find the best stuff on Mondays and Tuesdays
People will clean out their garages over the weekend and then drop off stuff to the thrift stores the first of the week. (Or if you are like me, keep it stored in the back of my van for a month or two and drop it off when I get tired of the crystal lamp rolling around back there). Late afternoon Mondays and Tuesdays are prime thrift store shopping time!
5) Location, location, location
I've found the best stuff in thrift stores in older neighborhoods. Older neighborhoods have older people and older people have the cool vintage stuff that I love (and to them it is just old stuff).
If you thrift for clothing and newer items, then maybe the thrift stores closer to the higher end neighborhoods would get you better results.
6) Avoid the fancy Goodwill stores
The ones that are filled with lots of new merchandise donated by stores. They have very few items donated by actual people and what they do have is very much curated by employees. Only the highest quality stuff makes it on the shelves. I prefer the thrift stores that pretty much put out anything that gets donated and let me decide if I want it or not!
7) Travel outside your normal area occasionally
Now with gas prices sky rocketing I won't be doing this too often, but I'll certainly stop by if I'm on that side of town for something else.
8) Be friendly and get to know your local thrift store employees
If you find a favorite thrift store and frequent it often, you'll get to know the workers. My local store workers have given me tips on when the best times to shop there are, alerted me to future sale days and have even dragged something out of the back room that they thought I'd like.
9) Once you know a thrift store, you can be in and out in 5 minutes
I know where to go to see what I am interested in. I don't dawdle. If they have nothing interesting that day I'm off to the next one down the road.
10) A bottle of hand sanitizer in your purse or car is a good thing
Thrift stores do not clean things up or wash them prior to putting them on the shelves. I tend to pick stuff up to examine them, so my hands get a little grimy.
Speaking of hand sanitizer, I've made a list of things below I like to keep in my purse while out thrifting!
Bonus Thrift Store Shopping Tips:
11) Bring some cash
Not all thrift stores accept credit cards. I know it's hard to believe, but I find some of the smaller, mom and pop thrifts are cash only! And you do not want to be out of cash when you find that mid-century modern sofa of your dreams.
12)Beware of impulse buys
We've all been there. You see a really cool vintage thermos that you want to buy, but do you really need another thermos for your collection? Of course you do!
13)Wear appropriate clothing
If you are shopping for clothing, remember that not all thrift stores have dressing rooms, so wear something form fitting so that you can easily try on other clothing over what you're wearing.
What To Look For At Thrift Stores:
- Anything jadeite
- Vintage globes
- Anything Mid-Century Modern - furniture, bar ware or clothing
- Colorful Pyrex pieces
- Vintage luggage
- Vintage cameras
- Cool looking vintage typewriters
- Paint By Number paintings
- Classic vintage thermoses
- Hudson Bay Point Blankets
Things To Bring With You When Thrift Store Shopping:
- Tape Measure to measure that piece of furniture to make sure it will fit in your space at home
- Flashlight to examine the items more closely
- Screwdriver in case you need to remove a mirror or legs from a piece of furniture
- Batteries to test to see if those battery operated items still work
- Hand Sanitizer to keep yourself clean and tidy
- Jewelers Loupe to inspect items for maker's marks and to inspect jewelry
- Magnets to test for sterling silver - magnets generally do not stick to sterling, but would stick to silverplate
- Old Blanket Or Towel to line your trunk for when you find that HUGE piece of furniture
Have fun and get out and enjoy some thrifting.
What about you, do you have any thrift store tips to add?
Other related posts:
- Interested in having your own yard sale with all your thrift store hauls? Run over and check out my 40 Yard Sale Tips For Hosting Your Own Sale (my readers are always adding more tips to the list, so if I'm missing something let me know and I'll add it).
- In A Letter To All Thrift Store Workers I discuss a little thrift store pet peeve of mine.
- And I let you in on what I've looking for at yard sales this year in my Top 5 Things To Look For At Yard Sales This Year
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. You can read my full disclosure policy here.)
Trish @TheOldPostRoad
Great tips! Thanks!
-Trish
angela stevens
Thanks I loved all your advice. I am going to a thrift store today, I have a donation and I am going to look around. will probably bring home as much as I leave.
Pam
I find those are my most dangerous days 🙂 I feel like I've donated so much, I must be able to bring some more stuff home, right?
janice
Watch out putting magnets anywhere near your wallet with your credit card!!!
Vicki Miller
I LOVE YOUR PAGE. I HAVE MADE THE BOWLING BALLS BUT THE HEAT IN FLORIDA IS SO INTENSE EVERYTHING FELL OFF, SO I SPRAY PAINTED THEM GOLD.
Erin
Great tips Pam, and I am guilty of driving my donations around for a while! I think I will be a better thrifter now that I've read this, thanks!!
Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms
Really enjoyed reading your tips, Pam. I think you've covered pretty much everything! Love your photos too. Have a great weekend. xx
Ocean Breezes and Country Sneezes
I love crawling through these stores, thanks for your tips, they will come in helpful! Have a great weekend!
A Rosy Note
Good ideas Pam. I also think it a good idea to look down. I've found a lot of good stuff on the floor...at antique stores anyway 🙂
High Street Cottage
Wonderful post Pam! And those images!!! I am at a thrift store several times a week, I use all these tips and then some, but I can't tell you how many times, I forget to bring something along to clean our hands. My husband hates getting in the car feeling like he's got to wash his hands, so this is a wonderful tip! Good job, my dear.
Marigene
Pam, those are great tips...you are so right about going to older neighborhoods for the vintage treasures. I will say it again and again, it amazes me what you can find in a thrift store...where else would you find these treasure at this low price...don't forget to look through the linen section, that is where I have found several real pashminas for less than $2 each.
You have found some great pieces while thrifting, Pam...love the transferware!
marty (A Stroll Thru Life)
Great tips. I love to thrift. You are so right, I think you have to go often. Never know what is going to show up. Hugs, Marty
La
Thanks for the tips, Pam. Good idea about the hand sanitizer.
My tip? Get a cart and don't drop your bag of glassware. :o)
Michelle @Shellsshabbyshack
Here I thought I was the only one that drove around with lamps rolling around in the back of the van...LOL, Pam! Great post and great tips! I think going often is the key. I don't shop for hours in a thrift store anymore, either. Usually know what to look for. I need to remember the sanitizer. I have a nasty cold...Grrr!
Hope you have a great weekend! 🙂
Kim K.
Great tips. I love your honesty about items beings stashed in the back of the vehicle. So, I'm not the only one that forgets to drop off donations. Hee hee.
Pamela
I think you've become the Queen of thrifting!!
Great tips!! I have to remind this.
I love the part of the lamp rolling around in your trunk lol !!
[email protected]
Great tips!!! My only additional tip...do "research" by going to antique stores and malls so you'll know the "real stuff" when you see it "in the wild."
Tete
Words to live by- it's how I used to do it for sure. Also, learn to look high and low- not just eye level. Most people miss the good stuff when they don't look up.
Let the shop keepers know what you are looking for, and leave your name and number. If they call you, get right in there. Pretty soon, they will have you on speed dial!
Hugs-Tete
The Decorative Dreamer
Thanks for visiting and for the sweet comments. I couldn't help but catch sight of your wonderful blue hutch in the the post below. I love it! As for thrifting I love that too, it's one of my favorite things to do and your pointers are right on the mark! I love the box you have your silverware and silver trays in! I have seen these at antique stores and really want one but not for the prices they are asking. I am going to have to go find me some old neighborhood thrift stores! LOL! Great post!
The Polka Dot Closet
Great tips, yep I am the one with that drives around with my donations in the back of my car for a week!
Carol
Rebecca
I"ve been a thrifter for years-but enjoyed all your tips! Great finds too!
The Summer Kitchen Girls
Laughing about that goodwill stuff in the back of the van - sooooo us!!! I know that at our Goodwill, we get a 20% off coupon if we bring a bag in and then go shopping - so it's always good to find something to take in if we are going to shop. In the summer, after big garage sale weekends it is always good to shop that week - lots of loot!
We enjoy estate sales as well. Like thrift stores...older neighborhoods are a key!
Loved all of your pictures Pam! (It's making us itching to junk!!)
Have a great weekend!
Heather
You really do have a talent for finding great things! Thanks for sharing these tips.
Linda
LOVE all your goodies, Pam...especially the wonderful dog figurine and the chocolate covered cherry box...I collect both of those, too!