Community Chat

[willdob3]

@shortbreadlover

I go to Goodwill once in a while but it is a bit of a drive to get there. If it were closer I’d go more often. Love it for finding jeans!

I like consignment shops, too.

[Mominohio]

I spent most of my adult working life in retail management for Goodwill Industries and Volunteers Of America, so yeah, I shop thrifts!

Coming from the 'inside' and seeing how the industry has changed over the decades is fascinating. It's a long and maybe not so interesting story to many, but I'll just say that with the advent of social media and apps to sell your stuff, thrifts aren't getting nearly the nice, expensive, and antique things they once did and not in the large quantities I saw it come in back in the 80's and 90's especially.

Still lots of good stuff to be had, but you have to go in with the idea of not looking for specific things. If you only want a pair of slacks in blue, you most likely won't find what your are looking for in your size/style/fabric that day, but will find three other things perfect for you. You kind of have to be open to finding what you find, not always finding specifically what you are looking for that day. 

Most people have to visit thrifts often, be prepared to walk out empty handed much of the time and be willing to commit some time to searching in order to find things they want/need, and that just isn't for everyone.

Back in the day, most of my clothing, and household goods were found in thrifts and flea markets. I always enjoyed the hunt. There are still things I source only from thrifts, like the long john shirts my husband needs for work in the winter, because he ruins them, and I can't see paying full price for new ones.

I'm in the purge mode a lot these days, but still can't pass a thrift without wanting to take a look. Just don't buy much these days though.

[Spurt]

You can find some bargains and good things there on occasion.....

I remember I would go to Thrift Stores with my aunt, she would buy furniture pieces and would refinish and refurbish them. They would turn out spectaculor! She ended up with good quality furniture too, solid wood, rather than the particle board that so much furniture is made of today and at a wonderful price too!!! So whenever she wanted a change in home decor, thats where she headed. 

[lovesrecess]

I go to a local thrift store and I have seen more QF there than any other QVC brand...tshirts that are wider than they are long....100% cotton put in the drier repeatedly I suppose. Would never buy any QF tees due to that.

[lovesrecess]

I usually look there for new toys for my grandkids to keep at my house or baby board books. Many are new but I run antibacterial wipes over each page anyway ...I do that when I buy new also.
I also fill backpacks for the homeless initiative our city does every winter; I get backpacks, winter scarves, and stainless steel water bottles there. I can donate more since I can get lower prices. 

I have been shopping at thrift stores since I was in college...and that was a very long time ago...before it was "cool"! I donate lots of stuff too...the circle of life......if you buy something at a thrift store and get it home and realize you bought something you had donated...it"s time for a new hobby!😉

[LyndaGee]

I like them, but haven't been in a couple of years.  There's one in Stratford, Ct called the Golden Rooster.  It's operated by a church.  Had good luck there.  Yes, I've seen many QVC and HSN products at those places, many in the original packaging, never opened.

[coffee drinker]

@LyndaGee I'm less than 10 miles from Stratford, so I'll have to check out that place.  If you haven't shopped at the new Goodwill stores in Shelton & Oxford, do try them.  Lots of great things and both stores are very clean and neat.  Personnel are very nice and helpful, too.

[hsawaknow]

I dont shop at thrift stores but I wouldn't be shocked if I saw some of my clothes in there.

[lovesrecess]

The GW stores here have started raising their prices. I have my limits on what I will pay in a thrift store for a used item.They just raised the price of blouse and other button up shirts for women to 7.99 and 9.99. Too much! I get a 25% discount so that helps. I do check the coats when they put them out in the fall for beautiful buttons that used to be on full length wool coats from the 50's and 60's. Those coats are far too heavy for my climate but the buttons on some are worth the cost of the coat. I have repurposed them all kinds of ways .

[LyndaGee]

---

@coffee drinker wrote:

@LyndaGee I'm less than 10 miles from Stratford, so I'll have to check out that place.  If you haven't shopped at the new Goodwill stores in Shelton & Oxford, do try them.  Lots of great things and both stores are very clean and neat.  Personnel are very nice and helpful, too.

---

Thanks!  My aunt and I used to shop at the Goodwill in Monroe, near a shopping center.  But, I hear they moved.