Thrift Shopping 101

Though I’ve been an avid thrifter for about two years now, thrift shopping can be intimidating for beginners. The crowds. Racks upon racks of unorganized clothes. It can be a bit overwhelming if you’re used to shopping at a “regular” store.

I’ve offered up thrift shopping tips before {like here and here}, but below are a few pointers specifically for the thrifting novice. If you’ve never stepped foot in a Goodwill, Salvation Army or other local second hand store, check out the simple tips you should keep in mind before you go.

Just Browse

I normally tell people to head to the thrift store with an idea of what they’re looking for. Just like with any shopping trip, you can pick up tons of random, unnecessary items if you don’t know what you want. However, if you’re a newbie, just browse on your first few trips. This takes the pressure off of having to find specific items. You never know what the inventory is going to be like so trying to fulfill a particular list can lead to major frustration. Just have fun and browse. If you find something, then great, but if not, there’s no pressure.

Don’t Shop Big Sales

Major warehouse or coat sales {like the Salvation Army sale last week} are super hectic. People push, shove and get verbally aggressive when there are super savings to be had {just think of it like Black Friday shopping}. This is not the environment for the newbie. I repeat: if you’ve never thrifted before, a major sale should not be your first time. Ease yourself in and take it slow. If possible, go to your local store on a weekday. You’ll get a feel for the layout of the store and it will be less crowded.

Bring a Friend

I’ve suggested this before to all thrift shoppers. When you have a buddy, you’re kind of like a tag team. But you shouldn’t just bring any ‘ol friend. The person should:

• Know your style: If they see something you might like, they can throw it in their cart for you and vice versa. You can swap finds afterward.
• Be patient: Second hand shopping can be time consuming and discouraging, especially for first timers. A good thrifting buddy will keep you in good spirits, and having great company always makes everything less daunting.

People constantly ask me how I score such great finds during my thrifting trips. I remember being so freaked out during my first Housing Works warehouse sale, which was about three years ago. I was so overwhelmed that I walked out after 10 minutes. With a little bit of time and patience, you’ll be a thrifting pro before you know it!