If you've read any portion of my blog ever, then you for sure know of my love for thrift store shopping.
I almost said that I love everything about thrifting, but that's so not true. I despise unreasonably high prices and crazy people. Seriously. I. Have. Some. Experiences. With. People. That. Would. Shock. You.
Anyway, with thrift store, estate sale and tag sale shopping there has to be some rules and guidelines, right?
So, here are mine...First, I avoid anything stinky or with mildew or mold. And, yes, I sniff everything before I buy it. So there. It embarrasses my children to no end.
Next, it has to be a good price, because frequently thrift stores and tag sales ask such random amounts. Most of the time you get a great value, but sometimes the items are way off the mark high. And, just so you know, I did actually complain to the headquarters of my favorite thrift store after months in a row of steadily increasing prices and decreasing quality. And they actually listened!
Also, look for good lines and good construction. A lot of times, especially the furniture that I buy, is straight up ugly. And my family looks at me all weird like "why in the world would she want that?!?!"...potential people...potential.
Find items that speak to you and that are unique. Like, for as much as I love HomeGoods and Target, I cannot totally shop there exclusively or else my home would look like everyone else's. Know what you like and what you are willing to spend. I am always on the hunt for brass, antique books and pottery when I'm out shopping and I have quite a collection of all three. This is especially good for the serial redecorator....like me!
What are your fav thrifting tips? Or what was your worst experience? Anyone remember the estate sale I went to last summer where the guy working was literally consumed by a cloud of marijuana smoke. Good times.
So, here are mine...First, I avoid anything stinky or with mildew or mold. And, yes, I sniff everything before I buy it. So there. It embarrasses my children to no end.
Next, it has to be a good price, because frequently thrift stores and tag sales ask such random amounts. Most of the time you get a great value, but sometimes the items are way off the mark high. And, just so you know, I did actually complain to the headquarters of my favorite thrift store after months in a row of steadily increasing prices and decreasing quality. And they actually listened!
Also, look for good lines and good construction. A lot of times, especially the furniture that I buy, is straight up ugly. And my family looks at me all weird like "why in the world would she want that?!?!"...potential people...potential.
Find items that speak to you and that are unique. Like, for as much as I love HomeGoods and Target, I cannot totally shop there exclusively or else my home would look like everyone else's. Know what you like and what you are willing to spend. I am always on the hunt for brass, antique books and pottery when I'm out shopping and I have quite a collection of all three. This is especially good for the serial redecorator....like me!
What are your fav thrifting tips? Or what was your worst experience? Anyone remember the estate sale I went to last summer where the guy working was literally consumed by a cloud of marijuana smoke. Good times.
Linking to:
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/2013/02/nifty-thrifty-tuesday-no151.html
http://www.cozylittlehouse.com/
http://www.jenniferrizzo.com/ 
http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/
I love thriftying too and I do agree, sometimes it is almost comical. You have some super finds. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteI love garage sales. I wind up going later in the morning and then I feel like I can haggle on prices more.
ReplyDeleteI also agree pricing at thrift stores has gotten very high, but things are selling at those prices, so I don't think they are going to lower them.
I have been having much better luck lately at garage sales than I have at my local thrift store. They are asking almost retail prices for something that is not in "new" condition. But I think they get away with it because there are so many people that are finally realizing how to re-purpose and re-use things to get a collected and eclectic look in their homes.
ReplyDeleteCheryl @ The Creative Me and My McG
I love garage sales, craigslist, and thrift stores. I've learned which stores carry the best items for great prices and what thrift stores carry crap for ridiculous amounts.
ReplyDeleteI would love to come thrifting with you! And I'm curious what you consider a good price. We have a ongoing debate about that around here!
ReplyDeletehi angela
ReplyDeletei have been a bit of a silent stalker of your blog and absolutely most of your furniture pieces. i am actually wondering what store it was you complained to. I am actually writing an email to about a local value village store to their customer service deptartment as the prices have gotten down right ridiculous. i love thrift shopping but items in the housewares dept marked at 40 and 50 bucks if crazy and we aren't even talking furniture.
I smell everything, too! On dressers, I open every drawer and take a good sniff! People think I'm crazy! lol
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! It pays to be careful when thrifting. The nose "knows"!! :)
ReplyDeleteI love the nursery dresser and have the same brass owls.
ReplyDeleteI actually thought about complaining to my local Salvation Army about their prices which have gotten out of control. Same with our Restore. They are getting greedy.
Great tips! I am obsessed with thrifting too! These are good rules to live by! :)
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post. Thanks for linking up. Hugs, Marty
ReplyDeleteBecause you mentioned you like to keep an eye out for antique books, have you supported your local library? Most will have a sale at least once per year of their original library books, plus books that have been donated to them. Super cheap prices, (sometimes name your own price), great patinas/condition, and sometimes you can find entire collections. It might be worth checking out for you, and you will be supporting a good cause at the same time.
ReplyDeleteI am also a Craigslist-er. My other rule is: don't get bogged down in color or finish. Anything (and I mean ANYTHING) can be spray painted. I like your smell rule. I need to start doing that as well!
ReplyDeleteLove your finds! I am a thrifter too, mostly Goodwill...had to share this super funny experience from my last trip...there on the shelf was A HOME PREGNANCY TEST KIT! Go figure.....don't you wonder what went through the mind of the donator? And the staff who decided to put it on the shelf! I probably should have bought it for my GIFT CLOSET LOL! Have a great day!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips! I absolutely love thrift stores and go often to do a quick walk-through to see what catches my eye. Thanks so much for sharing, Patti
ReplyDeleteI wrote a similar post a year or so ago about what I look for and why. Right on the mark with smelling things. I do the same; books can be really bad about that moldy smell. I'm also mighty careful about stains. Some just don't come out. Chipped or cracked china and glass is a no-no too for me as a reseller; for my own home I'm not so picky because it will probably be chipped soon enough around here!
ReplyDeleteI know the thrift stores are trying to raise money for good causes, but they need to change their names because their prices sure aren't thrifty any more. Salvation Army is the worst in my area. Who is going to go there and buy an incomplete set of dishes for $200?? Seriously. The staff seem to think that if something is old it's valuable, no matter its condition. I get good deals at some stores, and am no longer going to many others because of their prices. My best deals are from individuals; we sometimes get opportunities to buy directly from someone selling things from their home or a parent's estate and have gotten fabulous deals. And surprisingly, I find some real bargains at antique malls! Sometimes a dealer just doesn't have time to look something up or doesn't realize what it is. I know I do that in my own booth--and I have no problem passing a good deal on to someone else. Once I get what I need from it, I don't care if the buyer re-sells it for more. Fine with me--I do the same thing!
Good Morning Angela, I am an avid car booter, charity shop and thrift shop hunter. There are a couple of reasons I like "second time around" items, that name by the way, is the name of my favourite shop here in England. I love the fact that I am owning something, which another person has loved before me. I am always thrilled when I find books with inscriptions, such "Happy Christmas Mary, 1925", I know that Mary loved the book as not many people owned books in those days and I have the pleasure to own it now. You are right about the "sniff test" as I also avoid books which have a musty smell.
ReplyDeleteThe second reason is as you mentioned, it makes my home unique, as none of my friends have such an eclectic home as mine.
The first item I bought a second hand item, was at the age of 16 years old and it was a Bible from the 18th century. I bought it from what we used to call Junk shops. I am now 61 years so you can see I have been enjoying thrifting for quite a while. The wonderful thing is, my daughters are exactly the same and they also have beautiful, unique homes.
Angela, I have really enjoyed my visit and I have become a new follower. I found you via Yvonne and StoneGable.
I would like to invite you to visit me at Ivy, Phyllis and Me! when you have a moment, as it will be lovely to see you there. Incidentally, I wrote a piece yesterday about some amazing finds from a car boot sale,which might interest you.
Best Wishes to you,
Daphne
I live in a metropolitan area, and the prices are much higher than they should be. SO, I found some stores off the beaten path north of town. Their prices are MUCH better, and the staff is MUCH friendlier!
ReplyDeleteGreat tips and finds! Love the white pottery piece. My thrifting has been hit and miss lately. Visiting from Wow Us Wednesday.
ReplyDeleteLike you, I love to find good bones and potential in pieces! I also collect old books and pottery - LOVE those! My other faves are mirrors of all sizes, picture frames, industrial things - wire, metal, rust...and I wish I could find cool old clocks! Woman, you speak the truth. Your remakes are lovely!
ReplyDelete-Revi
I just found you and I'm your newest follower! Great stuff! Is the distressed, black bookshelf something you did? I want to pin it and want to make sure I give you credit!
ReplyDeleteTerrific tips, Angela. I think we all have experienced rude folks while shopping. I had one woman tell me that I was olding a basket that 'belonged' to the basket she was holding. Not the least! I just kept walking and left her - the prices are very subjective I think - sometimes our thrift store post pictures of items on Ebay at higher prices to justify theirs - If I wanted to shop Ebay I would! I suppose we just need to know these things happen and to have a good sense of humor! Lovely finds and lovely post - I do appreciate you sharing with Home and Garden Thursday,
ReplyDeleteKathy
I just came across your blog. Love all of your projects. I too am a lover of thrift shopping. After buying a smoke ridden dresser once, I always smell my furniture too. My car took a long time to get that smell out of. Never again!
ReplyDelete