How To Be An Expert Thrift Store Hunter

I'd love to say a leisurely stroll around a thrift store does it justice - but that would be a complete and total lie. If you really want to find something of value from a thrift store, you have to work for it! Sifting through clothes racks, diving in bins, and checking tags for expensive brands are all things that come with the duty of thriftdom. The worst part is, sometimes you won't find anything - but the idea that you might happen upon a unique, cool, and brag worthy item is half the fun.

As much as I'd love to think I have a sixth sense for thrifting, sometimes I don't know if an item has worth (besides thinking it's cute, of course). That's why you need a panel of experts! Mine happen to be my Mother, Grandmother, and smart phone (if I'm not near a computer). Double check items you aren't sure about, because it will save you a lot of time. Researching the brand or the item itself will give you an idea of its actual worth, because thrift stores tend to put value on weird things. I have seen expensive roller blades and cheap cashmere sweaters. In the thrifting world, nothing makes sense, so make sure to keep in touch with the outside to verify.

People are predictable. Depending on where you live, certain times of year are ideal for thrift hunting. If you are looking for a specific item, you have to plan the hunt for the right time of year. Here are a few hints and observations that I've made:

Right before summer:

People love to donate their winter items (and sometimes old summer things) during this time. You might be able to find nice coats, or seasonal items.

Spring:

A lot of people participate in "spring cleaning" which may be beneficial to you - try taking a peak at your local thrift store this time of year.

Every few months (preferably after a fashion season ends):

Some of the thrift stores I'm familiar with take donations from large retail chains that can't sell all of their merchandise. So, not only will you get these items brand new, but they will also be at a fraction of the price. And this doesn't only apply to clothes! I have seen housewares, toys, books, you name it. You just have to time it correctly.

Of course, some thrift stores stockpile their inventory. Some outlets only put out seasonal items when they are appropriate, so these tips depend on where you shop.

"The rich neighborhood" exists in just about every town or city. If you want high priced items, what better place to look than where the rich people donate? Try to scout out the thrift store (or stores) closest to this neighborhood in question and see if there is any treasure to be found! It could be an untapped resource.

In some of the thrift stores I frequent they have color coded price tags or promotions that will save you even more money. Make sure to pay attention to these! In my experience they like to hide this information in the back of the store where literally NO ONE will see it. Be the hunter you know you can be and scout out those deals! It might even be a good idea to ask an employee to fill you in. Not only will this make your thrift success story more exciting but it will also let you save your hard earned cash.

Usually, original pieces of art are hand signed in pencil. They will often have an indication of the print number as well (for example 1/5). I have found many silkscreen prints and paintings that have been worth hundreds of dollars this way. But remember: before you shell out the cash, make sure to look up the artists name - there's no use in buying something from someone who isn't well known (unless you really like it).