Do you shop at a thrift store?

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   bankscottageposted 11 years ago

   Do you shop at a thrift store?
   
   There are all kinds of reasons to shop at a thrift store.  Some do because they are frugal, you can get something used at a good price that would otherwise be very expensive new.  Some like the idea of recycling or supporting the cause of the non-profit running the thrift store.  Do you shop regularly at a thrift store and why?

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   annartposted 11 years ago

   We call them charity shops in Britain and yes I do.  Started when I didn't have money to spare but now do it for fun, to see what bargains I can find!  They're a great idea.  I provide lots of clothes and articles for the local ones too; much better than throwing things away.  There are local charities to support and it's a good way to keep them going.

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   nightwork4posted 11 years ago

   years ago i used to but not any more. i make a pretty good living and i think it's wrong to buy things there when i can afford to buy them new. to me thrift stores are there to help people who can't afford much.

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      bankscottageposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      That is how I felt until I read a newspaper article.  There can be some good deals.  I know the stuff I donate is good quality and often not used much.  Maybe I can use something someone like me donated.  I am learning frugal is good.

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      ElleBeeposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I previously felt that way, but there are so many benefits of shopping at a thrift shop - the purchase of old items helps keep things out of landfills.  Most thrift shops benefit a charity, and they can be a major source of income for non-profits.

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   Tiny Pearlsposted 11 years ago

   I don't shop at thrift stores regularly, but if I'm looking for something that would be expensive I check thrift stores first.  For some types of furniture or home remodeling projects I might check thrift stores like the Habitat ReStore.
   
   Sometimes we shop thrift stores for fun, sort of like treasure hunting.  Once I found a crystal vase for $10 at a Goodwill store.
   
   I make pottery as a hobby and have a studio for it and I sometimes buy used appliances for special needs there.  For example, a hair dryer for quick drying pottery surfaces, a hand mixer for smoothing out slip.
   
   They are a great resource for living frugally too.  I donate much more than I buy from thrift stores.  And Goodwill is the best way to dispose of computers and electronics.

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   Cassandra Godutiposted 11 years ago

   I've shopped at thrift stores. Besides for good buys I have found items I could use that were slightly used. Just because you purchase something at a thift store doesn't make it any difference if you were to buy it at regular retail as long as you like what you are purchasing. If you can get the same thing at a thrift store, that you could purchase retail, why waste the money?

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   StitchesandScentsposted 11 years ago

   Yes, yes I do shop at thrift stores. I can usually find items new with tags for a fraction of the retail price. I'm a crafter and I love to find cloth napkins, tablecloths, and gently used clothing all of which I can upcycle by embroidering on it and selling it "like new." I have found mason jars that I use to can with, vintage pyrex peices, and great shoes. I'm very happy being frugal, cheap, penny pincher or whatever else one might call me.

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   bockshinerposted 11 years ago

   I shop at Thrift Stores for different things. Usually it's just like going to garage sales. I don't really go looking to buy anything specific, I just go to look for something cool and interesting.

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   RoxiMposted 11 years ago

   I shop at thrift shops all the time. Most people where I work wouldn't guess that most of my wardrobe comes from thrift shops. Even if I could afford to buy everything new -- which I can't right now -- I would still go to thrift shops. Why buy something new, which entails new materials plus manufacturing and shipping costs, when I can buy something that's gently used. Often, I find clothing that still has the tags on it, brand new and never worn.

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   Bonitaannaposted 11 years ago

   Everything in my closet I have, just about came from  thrift shop in the last 25 years.  I have really purchased some very nice clothes and other things there. for instance, I bought my bread making machine there for $6.00.  I have baked homemade bread with it for the past 4-5 years.  It is much better than store bought.  Last month I purchased two brand new leather Jackets, one for my husband it cost $4.00 never used still had the tags on it from the store that donated it.  I went back the next week and bought the same leather Jacket brand new, no tags on it, but one pocket lining needed to be sewn shut, it was a matching jacket for me. It cost $8.00. The only reason it was more is I had a half off ticket with the first Jacket. My husband will be surprised when he comes home. It is valued $250.00 and so is mine and I paid $12.00.  I cannot begin to add up the savings that I have had. One time I bought my husband all brand new clothes with the original store tags where the thrift store got them for free.  It totaled to almost $1,200 in clothes for my husband and I paid $78.00 for them.  I remember there were 14 pairs of new shorts for the summer.  He was elated.  His friends in CAli. always ask him where he gets so many very nice shirts and slacks. Brand new socks, you see all the stores give away what they don't sell to these thrift shops.  I even get brand new sheets for our beds there.  Why pay full price when they are much cheaper at the Goodwill store?  I even wrote a song about it.

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      bankscottageposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Bonitaanna, you are a wise, frugal woman!  My wife bought a Janome sewing machine for $15 in a thrift store.  Unlike the new sewing machine I bought her several years before, she actually uses this one.

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      Bonitaannaposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I also bought a new Singer sewing machine still in the box for $9 but it is missing the pedal that makes it sew.  The book was in the box and all I have to do is order the foot pedal.  In regular stores the machine was over $100.

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    ElleBeeposted 11 years ago

    Yes! I shop at a thrift shop because it lets me get new items while staying on a budget.  I usually shop at charity-run thrift shops, so it's nice to know I am supporting charity even on my tight budget.  I also like shopping at locally owned shops and keeping money in my local community which is almost always possible with thrift shops!

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    watson mariaposted 11 years ago

    No I only use to buy pottery online from Algram.co.uk. Because they have the best pottery collections for all needs.

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    Hugh Morrisonposted 10 years ago

    Yes, definitely. Thrift shops/charity shops are a must for frugal living. However, I think it's best not to wait until you need something before you visit. I find it's more effective to have a regular 'thrift route' that you take once every couple of weeks, to see what's available.
    
    You have to make sure you don't impulse buy, but that you plan ahead for what you might need in the future. Eg if you know you'll need a winter coat this winter, don't wait until November to go thrifting. Go in July when you're more likely to get a bargain!
    
    Also, keep measurements of family members in your wallet/purse so that you can buy things for them if you see a bargain.
    
    If you see a great bargain that you don't actually need, consider buying it and reselling for profit on Ebay. (I know some people don't approve of this).

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