Why don't more people shop at thrift stores?

1. 78

   Kara Skinnerposted 9 years ago

   Why don't more people shop at thrift stores?
   
   Only 16 to 18 percent of Americans shop at thrift stores even though they are the most cost-efficient and ethical option out there.  I don't understand why the percentage is so low.

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2. 37

   ChristinSposted 9 years ago

   Good, more for me - Seriously though, I would think in our current economy the numbers are higher than that, so I am suprirsed.  I have always shopped thrift stores just because I like the thrill of the hunt and know what to look for, but the ones in my area are always crowded now.  Maybe the numbers are low due to other things like Facebook local groups where you can swap and sell items? Those are always hopping and there are probably 20 of them in my region and we live in a rural area.  Also, we have a lot of flea markets and rummage sales etc. that people frequent.

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3. 83

   peachpurpleposted 9 years ago

   Here in my country people will shop at thrift store during festive seasons, due to budget

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4. 85

   Chantelle Porterposted 9 years ago

   I shop at the Savers a lot but I can think of a few reasons. I won't wear anyone else's used underwear so that's out. I have purchased furniture to upcycle but a lot of it is  not in good physical condition (chairs and tables that wobble or veneer that is missing). I don't think I'd buy sheets, not that there's anything wrong with that, but it seem a bit too personal. The dishes are fine but they usually don't have enough of one design to make a set. If you want to thrift shop you need to put in more time to get what you want.

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5. 59

   SpiritusShepherdposted 9 years ago

   I have tried shopping at thrift stores before, but I usually don't find anything I like. I find I have better luck shopping sales at Sears or JC Pennys.

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6. 83

   gmwilliamsposted 9 years ago

   
   
   The answer is very simple.  There are those who because of a false sense of pride feel that shopping at thrift stores means a socioeconomic fall from grace or somehow they will be looked down upon for shopping at thrift stores.  Others really do not have thrift stores in their area or surprisingly, they do not know the locations of thrift stores.  Then there are people who do not have to ever shop at thrift stores because they do not have to. They have the socioeconomic means to shop at regular & more pricier stores.

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7. 69

   Merissa Hatchposted 9 years ago

   I try to shop at thrift stores, but I rarely find what I need and don't have time to look at a bunch of them. I wish I could buy my clothes used, but I am a very tall woman (6' 3") and I have only ever found 3 shirts that are long enough for me. I have never found jeans that are long enough (I am too tall for most Women's Tall pants, too). I have also found that it is sometimes cheaper to buy household essentials from The Dollar Tree. Although, I did find a really neat lamp for super cheap this month. It wasn't in the best condition, but it works for places I won't have many guests.

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8. 83

   tamarawilhiteposted 8 years ago

   There is a negative connotation about shopping there, that if you shop at the charity run thrift store, you are barely above the clientele in terms of desperation.
   The irony is that if you shop on Amazon or eBay, some of the low cost items like books and DVDs sold there ARE sold by the same thrift / charities.

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