There’s no denying you can find some incredible deals at thrift stores across the U.S. (and Canada!). Checking Goodwill or other thrift stores before you need anything brand-new is usually a good idea, and there’s a good chance you’ll find what you’re looking for.
If you go in and look around at the clothing racks, we’re sure you’ll find something that strikes your fancy. After all, you can find designer clothes at some thrift stores and score a great deal!
So tell us: How often do you buy clothes for yourself at thrift stores? After you vote, please leave a comment and tell us about your favorite thrift store find. We’re looking forward to reading those stories.
Found a suit for teen son in a thrift store for $15.00 —cashier said it was 50% off day. I paid $7.50! He wore that suit all through high school. I buy used clothes all the time. My daughter in law and I frequent Savers which carries household items,toys etc.
Love the hunt and love saving money!
A running buddy took me to three different thrift stores while I was in graduate school in Knoxville, Tennessee. I never knew such existed. I made quite a haul that day and did not buy clothes for about 7 or 8 years after our expedition. However, once I got married and began really working, DW thought new clothes were a better way to go. Eventually I got too fat to wear any of my low-cost treasures and donated the items I had not worn out. Now that we are retired, we just wear what we have (and we have a lot) until they wear out. I don’t know that we’ll buy clothes too much in the future.
At one point I would browse but haven’t in some years when seeing prices the same at some big box stores. The salvation army, goodwill is a make me rich CEO. I refuse to support in anyway that attitude of greed. And they call themselves non profit to only skirt federal taxes.
Please don’t put the Salvation Army in the same catagory as Goodwill. The leadership of the Salvation Army lives frugally.The Salvation Army salary ranges from approximately $65,000 per year for an Employment Consultant to $116,000 per year for a Manager. The manager is the highest paid.
Me, not so much but my wife can really find the deals here! One day we donate and drop off clothes and the next she will buy someone else’s donations! lol.
If you go to charity navigator.org you will find ratings on many charities.
Good will Inc has an excellent rating which means they use most of the money earned by donations for the good stuff. The salaries are listed and how much is spent on running things is covered.
There are ratings for the different Goodwill Stores in different areas. I looked at only about 6 of them but all had over 90 ratings, they go up to 100.
So shop!
I enjoy shopping the whole store for various items that can be purchased at a deal. I have found some really good deals, but lately they are over pricing many items. When you can get new items for the same price as bd the item is well worn, stained or damaged it’s wrong. Items needed to be inspected before setting the “standard” price.
As a retired pastor I have recommended thrift and second hand stores when doing financial counseling many times, especially if they have children. These are generally people who have found themselves in financial situations. I personally shop them but rarely find stuff in my size. However some of my wife’s nicest outfits came from a thrift store.
I put in ten hrs per week at St. Vincent De Paul’s thrift store as a volunteer and often buy some terrific books/recordings but almost never do I buy clothes, etc. If I found something that was a great deal, I suppose I would make a purchase.
Does Costco count as a thrift store??
Hey, that was my comment also.😊
Seldom. I think it’s a female thing. My wife enjoys “thrifting”, and occasionally I will join her, and have found some deals. Since retiring, my clothes shopping consists of replacing wear items (jeans, socks, shoes, u-w). I have a closet full of shirts, and jackets that will last for the rest of my life. NOT a slave to fashion.
Here’s a poll question for you; Have you ever been asked to sell something you’re wearing? I have a collection of vintage concert T-shirts that I occasionally wear (those that still fit me), and have been asked if I would consider selling. I may “give” someone the shirt off my back, but selling it would just be weird.
I used to buy T-shirts from Goodwill in AZ while ‘snowbirding’ but the Goodwill stores, who get these items for free, sell them for nearly the cost of new. Not to mention the top corporate dogs make big bucks. I prefer to donate to church and veteran stores.
Many people misunderstand Goodwill’s business model which is to sell donated and purchased items to raise money for their client programs. National organization executive officers have the same responsibilities as any similar-sized for-profit business so you have to compensate them accordingly to get the talent.
Most non profit organizations start out with good intentions, but as they succeed they become targets for greedy “executives” and board members to raid “profits”, thus ensuring they remain “non-profit”. What about the compensation for the “volunteers”, who are the backbone of these organizations? Are only the executive officers deserving of compensation? And THAT Ron is the “Business Model”, cheap, or free help so the “executives” get more.
Salvation Army does the same, many times you can buy on sale at department stores just as cheap. The top boss, such as CEO find out what others in their position make at different locations and want the same money. The floor workers in the Slavation Army claim they make very little money. But may get free room and board.
I never shop for clothes, DW does all the shopping, she lives for shopping. Lol
I work in finance and have found very nice ties and slacks at a local thrift store for pennies on the dollar. No one can tell either.
Seldom buy clothes for myself, period. My wife claims my taste is all in my mouth. Life is more peaceful if she buys my clothing.
Once, when I had a job assignment with extreme weight restrictions (30 pounds, including tools of trade). Bought all outerwear at Goodwill and discarded them after use. Locals got some good stuff.
The fashion industry changes what is “trendy” so much more often these days.
I decided to change the way I buy clothes so that I an not subject to the ever changing trends and I stick to a more classic look that can span over many years. I buy used clothes from Goodwill and other local thrift stores (some are faith based resale shops). This not only saves on money but also reduces my carbon footprint. The fashion industry is responsible for 10 % of annual global carbon emissions. For me, this is similar to when I changed from single use bottled water to the use of refilling reusable water bottles to reduce waste.
When we have been on the road awhile, and I’m tired of some of my clothes, I will take them to a thrift store and buy a few more. Gives me variety without a lot of cost.
Forty some years ago when we settled in a small Texas town early in our marriage with two boys, each under four, a small group of families from our church would share slightly used clothing among the families. A great money saver for us all.
We used to, when we were in the “Early Poverty” stage of marriage. We would especially do this for kids’ clothes when they were growing. Thrift stores are also a great way to teach your kids or grandkids to find quality deals. They get to make their own choices, and their mistakes don’t cost much.
I seldom buy cloths, maybe every 5-10 years and Dickies are the brand I get. Wife occasionally will pick up some shirts for Sunday wear.