Do you shop at thrift/consignment stores?

[themarquis]

While reading the thread about the whether or not to "liberate" a white tank top left at the pool , I was shocked at how many people think clothes that have been worn by someone else at some point of time "gross"!

I love shopping at thrift stores, and of course give anything I bring home a good washing. Last time I checked, washing machines pretty much sterilize your clothes, so it's not like they'd be "germy" (though I admit I wouldn't probably care if they were! )

My opinion aside, do you shop at thrift or consignment stores? Why or why not?

 

[freckles and boo]

I used to shop for clothes at thrift stores all the time because I was very into vintage dresses and sweaters. Now I just don't have the time to sift through the trash to find the good stuff. The kids slow me down and they whine about the funny smells. However, I still do plenty of prop shopping at thrift stores.

 

[NeedaVacation03]

I enjoy the thrill of the hunt. I like garage sales, thrift stores and hand-me downs from friends and family. Some of the stuff is not so good, but some of it is great. I have gotten lots of clothes with tags still on them from the thrift store. My DD8 plays select soccer and I just ordered Adidas shorts from them for $18. Then I went to the thrift store and find the same kind, looked brand new for $.75. DD likes them and has no problem with them being preowned. ( I did wash them before I let her wear them though)

 

[C.Ann]

Thrift stores and garage sales.. I absolutely hate paying the ridiculous prices I see in the stores.. The only things I won't buy used are under garments, socks, and swim suits..

 

[Momvic5]

No....the few times that I have been in thrift stores the prices were not all that great.

 

[Cool-Beans]

There is a world of difference between "clean" and "sterile." Unless you are buying your clothes from Johnson & Johnson or some such, no clothing is sterile - washing machine or not.

I did buy second-hand stuff when I didn't have any money because that was all I could afford. I buy new stuff now because I can afford it.

 

[C.Ann]

There is a world of difference between "clean" and "sterile."

--------------------

Other than purchasing "sealed" items in a store (such as a sealed package of underwear), have you ever wondered how many other people have tried on that dress, pair of pants, shirt, or whatever else you may be buying? I've seen some pretty dirty people tryng on clothing in stores..

Whether you wash it after purchasing it in a thrift store/garage sale - or wash it after you purchase it in a store - "washed" is washed..

 

[darlak]

Not often anymore, but I used to when my children were smaller and I had less money. I just never seem to have the time lately.

Thrift store shopping is something I've enjoyed since I was a little girl and used to go to the Goodwill store with my mother and grandmother. My grandparents could well afford to shop anyplace they wanted, but my Granny loved to go the Goodwill store. Whenever my grandfather would ask her why she wanted to go there, her reply was always exactly the same...."You just never know when you're going to find a golden monkey."

I've found my share of "golden monkeys" at thrift stores too and when I do, I always think of my Granny and smile.

 

[rentayenta]

We have a great store here called Plato's Closet.

 

[juligrl]

I've actually gotten two of my favorite pieces of furniture at consignment shops. They were both in pretty rough shape but were solid and were the shape I wanted so a little elbow grease, sanding and refinishing gave me the copycat versions of the chairs I wanted and would have had to pay a lot more for.

 

[themarquis]

I enjoy the thrill of the hunt. I like garage sales, thrift stores and hand-me downs from friends and family. Some of the stuff is not so good, but some of it is great. I have gotten lots of clothes with tags still on them from the thrift store. My DD8 plays select soccer and I just ordered Adidas shorts from them for $18. Then I went to the thrift store and find the same kind, looked brand new for $.75. DD likes them and has no problem with them being preowned. ( I did wash them before I let her wear them though)

Lol ... those are the exact words I use to describe the excitement of going to garage sales/thrift stores ... it's "the thrill of the hunt" (or, as another poster said, the "golden monkey" ). You never know what you'll find -- maybe nothing. Or maybe something amazing will come your way. It's almost as though there is something primal about it ... like the cave- man or woman hunting down a saber toothed tiger or something???

 

[racetrack18kb]

We shop at the thrift store for DH's work clothes. He works in contruction and goes through jeans like you wouldn't believe. I couldn't imagine buying him 5 or 6 new pairs of jeans knowing that in a couple of months, they will end up in the trash. I also check for the kids but that seems to be hit or miss around here.

We do go to Plato's Closet at the beginning of the school year for oldest DD. She knows that we have spending limit and she will get more from there instead of heading to the mall.

 

[shortbun]

I only go when I need something but my husband is always bringing home treasures. He's found some great stuff.

 

[jam217]

Much of my wardrobe comes from yard sales and thrift shops and I usually get lots of compliments. And my closet has lots of name brand labels -- Talbots, Chicos etc.

For example this past weekend, I found at a yard sale a cardigan type sweater made of soft Italian wool and an Ann Taylor wool jacket -- entire purchase was $1!

 

[NMAmy]

We have some very nice consignment shops that I love to visit. I often find that if I am looking for a particular color shirt, for example, it may not be a color that is "in" for this season at the regular stores but I can always find one at the consignment shop or thrift store. I also love buying classic items that will last and be in style for years. It's not a matter of not being able to afford a regular store--I can afford it, I just enjoy thrift stores and consignment shops. I like to have things that not everyone in town is wearing, as well.

Two things that I will not buy from a thrift store or consignment shop--pajamas/nightgowns and shoes. Those have to be new.

 

[aprilgail2]

I don't shop at thrift stores - never have and hopefully will never have to! I prefer to buy new things, I don't want anyone elses old stuff.

 

[sunlver]

We love to go
I have bought some nice swimsuits for my daughter, hardly worn at all for under $2, have bought name brand stuff for a couple of dollars. Our best finds are when the kids find Real Disney stuffed toys there for under $2.

Of course all clothes go right in the washing machine, and all stuffed toys and regular toys get disenfected when we get home and then played with.

We love thrift stores

 

[Todd&Copper]

No....the few times that I have been in thrift stores the prices were not all that great.

ITA, and the clothes were not fashionable either. I do better with sales/coupons for stores at the mall than I could at the thrift store, and my clothes will not look like they are 1990's rejects. [I realize not all thrift stores have only out-dated clothes, but the ones I have been to pretty much suck as far as how current the clothes are]

If I had little ones, I would probably see if they had any deals on stuff for them to wear during the years before school. I would probably also check yard sales for baby/toddler clothes. Being fashionable is not such a concern for the pre-preschool set.

 

[cinmell]

My opinion aside, do you shop at thrift or consignment stores? Why or why not?

No, I don't shop at thrift or consignment stores. I have also never shopped garage or yard sales come to think of it. I never have and probably never will. Like aprilgail2, I like my stuff to be new and not someone else's old stuff (junk).

 

[Disney Doll]

I used to love "the thrill of the hunt" a lot more when I was younger than I do now.

I guess I have lost some of my patience or need for "thrill".

Plus, I am plus size woman, and a lot of thrift shops, especially in my area since there are a lot perfect size 4's...the "ladies who lunch" types...that I seldom find anything in a consignment shop.

Plus, there's a part of me that feels like I don't HAVE TO shop in a thrift shop...I am fortunate that we make a good living...so I almost think I should save the less expensive items for those who truly can't always afford to pay a department store price.

I do not, however, shop at crazily high-priced stores either. I am pretty much a Kohl's, Dress Barn kind of girl.