23 Dec 3 Reasons Not to Buy Something at a Thrift Store

Buyer’s remorse is something that happens to the best of us. And this really happens when it comes to thrifting. Speaking from personal experience, I can admit, it’s hard not to get hypnotized by the cheap prices and just throw everything in the bag.

But there are ways to ensure you won’t get something home and question why you were foolish enough to buy it. Here are three tips to keep in mind before buying anything.

“It’s so cute and quirky!”
One of the reasons I love thrifting is because you can always find fun, out of the ordinary pieces. From clothes to home decor, you never know when you’ll score that one of a kind find. I found this vintage sewing machine at the Salvation Army in Hell’s Kitchen and everyone on Twitter and Instagram commented that they hoped I bought it.

Well, I absolutely did not. It was beautiful, no doubt about it, but what would I do with it? If I collected vintage electronics or even had the space on a mantel, dresser or closet for the sewing machine, then maybe I would have bought it. But none of the above applied to me, so buying it would have been $50 down the drain.

Just because an item is unique doesn’t mean it has a place in your home or closet. But if it’s quirky, yet useful in some way, then buy it!

“But it’s such a great deal!”
Do you see the dress above? It’s a horrible pic and the frock is wrinkled, but it’s a BCBG Max Azria satin dress with tags still attached. It originally retailed for $338 and was at the Salvation Army for $15 and was marked down to $7.50 for Family Day {50 percent off most clothes and shoes on Wednesdays}.

I wasn’t really wowed by the dress or cut. But if I would have been caught up in the awesome price, label or bragging rights of saying I scored BCBG for less than 10 bucks, I would have bought it…and it would have collected dust in my already crowded closet.

If the stellar price is your only reason for buying it, leave it behind.

I know I promised you three tips, but I want the third tip to come from you.

Weigh in: when have you suffered buyer’s remorse while thrift shopping? What did you buy? How do you avoid the dreaded buyer’s remorse?