Consignment and thrift stores getting crowded!

[OceanAnnie]

I think consignment and thrift stores are the new malls. I used to be able to find neat things very easily. Now it's much harder. In the past few months there have been many times I have left empty handed. It seems like lots more people are shopping these stores now. It used to be only a handful of people were in the shops when I was shopping. Now the parking lots are full as well as the shops.

Are you seeing it too? Where are some other places you shop for deals, brick and mortar or online? TIA.

 

[kydisneyfans]

Not seeing that at all around here. The kids clothing consignment sales popular at chruches are very busy, but the thrift shops and adult clothing consignment shops are a dime a dozen around here. They come and go just like the sunshine.

Trying to find a place to park at the mall on any given Saturday is still darn near impossible.

I personally find that combining store coupons with sales prices yields the best prices on clothing for the family. Going from consignment store to consignment store is a waste of time and fuel, and I can get new garments for comparable prices than used. We don't like online clothing shopping as it's impossible to tell if something fits.

 

[OceanAnnie]

I have found some great paintings, decorative items, lamps at thrift stores. Great resource for seasonal decorations too. Not so much now.

I do shop mostly sales for clothes at the mall and kids consignment. I also shop sales online for kids stuff. My kids run pretty much true to size.

 

[patsal]

I hope it is like that around here, as I have scads of beautiful, professional clothing in larger sizes that I need to get rid of in order to pay for the scads of new clothing I will be needing!

 

[Dax]

5yrs ago, I would never think to buy stuff there...That has all changed now, and I was at the local Goodwill store 2 weeks ago buying things that I needed for my new job, I bought 3 pairs of pants, and a shirt all for $15!

Then I spent $30 on shoes...LOL

 

[MichelleinMaine]

My husband works for Goodwill- sales are *way* up.
(The increased profits have let them open many job retraining sites to help displaced workers. )

 

[LadySiren]

I shouldn't let y'all in on my secret, since you'll go and snatch up all the good deals but here goes anyway: I the online Goodwill site. If you haven't seen it, check it out at www.shopgoodwill.com.

Shopgoodwill.com is an eBay-style site that often has NWT / NWOT / NIB items. I got my DD8 a Hollister sweater last year for $10, NWT (side note: I'm sure this sweater was meant for a young teen...as it fit my petite 8-year old perfectly, I can only guess what it would've looked like on a teenager ).

One thing to note about the site: watch the shipping costs. You bid on items from individual stores, so the shipping rates vary. The worst shipping rates seem to come out of the Ohio-based stores. We're in NC and I had one of the CA stores charge me less for shipping than one of the OH stores. Have no idea why.

Okay, since I'm blabbing my secret, here's another tip: the Las Vegas store always has high-end items on sale (Lucky Jeans, designer stuffs), as does the Orange county, CA store. Also, you can almost always find decent deals on designer bags, like D&B, Coach, etc.

Now, please be kind - leave some bargains for me, eh?

 

[mollybug2]

I read quite a few home decorating blogs and SO many of the ladies writing them shop Goodwill and then rehab what they buy, everything from housewares to clothing. Made me go back into my Goodwill and really LOOK at what was there!

 

[Lisha1979]

I've noticed that too OceanAnnie!
I remember about 6 years ago I could go shop the "After season" sales and they would have TONS of stuff and no one would look twice at it when they walked by. I could get sooo much stuff at 90% but now there is hardly anything in the aisles the day after the sale start. I know they are ordering less so inventory is less but it's like the world did a 180 on sale items with in the past 3-4 years.
Also last year on the day after Christmas, I went to Target before it opened and OMG there was the longest line of ppl standing outside, it seriously reminded me of Black Friday. It was nuts! People were literally running to the Christmas Aisles!
Maybe it's the economy, more people are saving money by going to these places and the fact that the internet speeds up letting other ppl know about the awesome deals. Heck if it wasn't for the internet I wouldn't have a clue how to use a coupon. =)

 

[lauralana9]

I've defiantly noticed it too. I work as a server and need white dress shirts for work. I wear them till I can't get them clean anymore and get "new" ones. I usually stop by once a week or so to see what they have because I go thru so many of them. I have not found one in the past 2 months in my size, and there are fewer in number on the rack in general. I might have to start going more often and hope to catch some soon. I really don't want to pay $40+ for a shirt to get food all over.

 

[dyna]

YES goodwill an thrift stores much more crowded not near as many jeans on the racks that the 1 thing I've noticed just isn't there anymore.

Goodwill has been a regular store for me all my life an has always been hit an miss

 

[SnootyBear]

Not only have I noticed more people in the stores, Ive noticed the prices on things have increased too.

 

[tinlizzy]

I think their commercials and the economy have made more people prone to giving items, once reserved for garage sales, to Goodwill.

I have a Goodwill drop-off (no store) on my route and the parade of people dropping things off is non-stop now.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Hmmm... looks like I'm going to Goodwill!!

 

[OceanAnnie]

LadySiren, thanks for the link. I have been on that website starting back a year or two ago. There are a lot of great deals to be had. The only thing I ever bought was a pair of brand new DKNY sunglasses that I got for a steal. I love them! I have seen other items I liked, especially home goods, but they seem to end at odd times and I haven't jumped in.

The secret has been out though. I went on the site a couple of months ago, and the NY Times I think it was voted it one of the top 50 (?) websites. I can't remember. I noticed a lot more bidders than before. Just about every item had a bidder when I looked. That was unusual to me from times past.

To me it seems like a lot more competition for any and all sales these days.

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

 

[LadySiren]

I agree - the Goodwill.com site is way more crowded than it used to be but then again, they've got a ton of stuff.

I scored a big for this upcoming Christmas. I found a nice wooden Tinkerbell music box for only $8 + shipping. This thing probably would've cost $30ish in a store. It's now safely tucked away in Mom's closet. Yay for early shopping!

 

[DisneyAndRedSox]

I have an appt to drop off tomorrow at a resale shop. They used to let me do 1 hour/4bags/any season. Now they are only allowing 30min/2 bags/spring and summer since they have so much being dropped off!