27 Aug Thrift Shopping Strategy: Why You Should Shop at the End of the Day

When it comes to thrift shopping, there’s always this urge to be the first in line and at the store. I totally get it. The inventory is limited and it’s not like the same garment is available in a ton of sizes {like at traditional department stores}, but I’ve found some serious value in being one of the last people to shop the store or a major warehouse sale.

Here’s why…

You see this awesome fire engine red coat? It’s Christian Dior. Vintage. And it was just $23. I scored it last year during the Salvation Army coat sale. This sale has become a must for New Yorkers who are serious about thrifting and scoring a deal. Everyone tends to show up before the doors open so they can get first dibs. But you know what, I showed up after it had been going on for almost two hours and this Dior coat was just hanging on the rack. When you’re going to a major sale, the first rush is the most hectic but there’s also value in hanging back for a while to let the craziness die down.

With a large sale, especially one like the Salv Army coat sale that happens once a month in the winter, there’s a ton of inventory. So they’re not going to run out of coats, which means everyone can walk away with something.

Also, when I arrived it was still pretty crowded, but many people were wrapping things up and figuring out what was a go and what they’d leave behind. This was an advantage for me! When people just grab everything, there’s no way they’re buying it all. So hang around the people who are editing their selection down. You might just find some serious gems because a garment isn’t their size or style.

So yeah, I totally understand being “the first,” but don’t write off a thrift shopping trip because it’s too late. You never know what you’re going to find!

You can clearly see that I got a ton of wear out of this vintage Dior coat {see how I styled it here and here!} and I can’t wait to wear it again this winter. And to think, I almost didn’t go to the sale because I thought it was too late!? This was actually the most “expensive” item I bought last year during my Thrifty Threads 365 challenge, but I’d say it was money well spent!

Are you an early bird thrift shopper or do you wait until the end of a sale or day? What’s been your most recent thrift store score?