The Good Rules

If you want to be successful in your thrift store shopping, you gotta know the rules!


Here's the truth... Some thrift stores, Goodwill included, will over-price some items that realistically, should not be. Sometimes it is due to a lack of knowledge or just plan laziness. I recall several years back when "Crocs" were a hot selling item and stores like Walmart and Target jumped on the Croc bandwagon and began making their own version of mock Crocs. I recall seeing a pair of Walmart brand mock Crocs on the shoe rack and Goodwill had them priced at $19.99. Yep. That's right. Goodwill was trying to price gouge. I've seen it time and time again, so beware. Just because it's a thrift store, doesn't mean it's a bargain!


Oh, yes, indeed! Brand does matter. I see a lot of Target (Mossimo), Walmart (Faded Glory) and Kohl's (Sonoma) brands, et. al, at Goodwill and thrift stores. If you love the way Gap jeans fit you, then look for the brand Gap. I've seen brands like Prada, Coach, Ann Taylor, Express, Banana Republic, J. Crew and the list goes on and on. Stick to the brands you know and love.


Simply put... if you can't wash it, hose it down or throw it in the dishwasher, you are probably better off not buying it. Why? Well, for obvious reason, I suppose! I like to wash all clothing items I buy from GW in hot water to kill any lingering cooties from it's previous owner. That's just me!


There is an exception to Rule #3, and that is if the item is a real steal... or, it is something you have been searching for. Case in point... I found a beautiful long black blazer. It was Express brand, fully lined, well made and in excellent condition. But, it was dry clean only. I have always put it in my mind that I would never buy 'dry cleaning only' items at GW, but I put that rule aside for this awesome blazer. The blazer was only $10 bucks! I thought it was a real steal!


Okay, listen up... just because something is priced low, doesn't mean you have to buy it. Goodness knows that I would have a house full of stuff if I bought every item that was a good buy. Last week, I saw a really great bag for $6.00. It was fabulous. But, for the life of me, I couldn't justify the purchase. Sure, I would have found a reason to put it to use, but eventually I would put it away with all of the zillion other bags I have in my closet.


This is a very important rule. Why? Because of cigarette smoke. Nothing infiltrates an item quite like cigarette smoke. Found that book you've always wanted to read and it smells like smoke? Don't buy it! You will regret it. Check out your local library instead!

This rule, of course, only applies if you are a non-smoker. I was selling an item on Craigslist that I bought from another individual on Craigslist who was a smoker. I didn't know it at the time and I came home with an item that reeked of smoke. I turned right around and re-sold it on Craigslist, but mentioned in the ad that is smelled of smoke. The guy who bought it... was a smoker.


You will not find a deal every time you walk into a thrift store. In contrast, you will sometimes find deals around every corner.


Use your imagination! You may find something that is just not quite perfect, but it MAY still work. Paint can be your best friend. I bought a two-tiered wire basket and I really liked it. But, it needed a fresh coat of paint. So, I bought a $3.00 can of black lacquer spray paint and now, it looks as good as new!


I'm really speaking about myself here. It's so easy to get pulled into the Goodwill game...to find the next great deal, etc. I usually only shop at Goodwill once a week. It really can be addictive!


If you've never set foot in a Goodwill store or local thrift shop, then get over yourself! Thrifting is fun and rewarding. Resale shopping is also a great way to support local charities and small businesses. I know there is still a stigma associated with shopping at thrift stores, but there shouldn't be. We are called to be good stewards of our money and these days it doesn't hurt to save as much money as you can, when you can.