Thirft store shopping has become the new thing to do in these economic times. I’ve always loved garage sale shopping and occasionally shopped the thrift stores. Lately I’ve been shopping them more often because of all the wonderful websites I visit and the transformations people have done with items they’ve gotten. I typically like to shop for furniture like my daughters small desk. I got it for $10 at the Goodwill store and gave it a fresh coat of paint and it’s perfect. I bought the scrap wood for my wall decor at the Habitat for Humanity thrift store. I’ve noticed that the Salvation Army seems to price things a little higher than Goodwill. This past Friday, I went into a new Salvation Army that opened and I was shocked by the prices on items. They had used furniture, most would need to be refinished to even look decent and they were all priced in the $100-$250 range. One item even had the word “vintage” written on it and the price was $300. Seriously? I have never seen prices so high at a thrift store. Now I’ve been told prices vary and it could have been the area this store was in. It was a nice part of town and maybe they will get those prices. There were at least 5 pieces there, I would have gotten, had the price been right. I’m anxious to see it they are still sitting there in a month. The Thrifty Decor Chick recently hosted a Goodwill Party. If you’re not familiar with these “internet” parties, they are lots of fun. Or, at least to a geek like me! She shows some of her favorite Goodwill or Thrift Store finds and at the bottom, readers can add links to their best finds also. It’s so much fun to see what others have done and it’s definitely inspiring! Click on the picture below and check it out.
I’d like your input and what experiences you’ve had with stores and pricing. I picked up this baby one day and was determined to find a place for him. This window frame was $6 and I have since sprayed him white. I thought about adding glass and putting pictures in it, but I’m not set on it. I’d love suggestions so please send them my way! You can also leave a comment with any great thrift store finds you’ve scored.
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I must say that once you get in the groove of Thrift store shopping, you’ll get addicted. You have to check out different ones. Some look dirty and carry real “junk” and some are clean and have a good variety. In Jacksonville, FL, my two favorites are the Veteran’s Thrift store on Beach Blvd. and the Good Will. While the Salvation Army has 1/2 off day on Wednesday, the rest of the week their prices seem much too high.
I have gotten my everyday dishes from a thrift store which was Pfaltzgraff. The best part is that this is an open set and you can continually add to it. Also, I had coveted a beautiful Christmas dish set from Pfaltzgraff but with $5.00 a plate, I just couldn’t do it. But, miracle of all miracles, I stumbled across these very dishes at a Thrift store. They were marked $0.99 each and it was 1/2 off day. So, these dishes that normally sell for $5 were 50 cents each. They look beautiful on my table at Christmas time.
Thrift stores have to be checked out often. You can’t go one time and assume that they have nothing. Somedays you hit the jackpot and somedays you don’t. I have personally come to the conclusion that late Monday afternoon and Tuesday morning are the best times to go. At this point, the stuff that people could not sell in their garage sales or cleaned out of their closets during the week have been turned in, priced, and put on the sheves. Below are just a few of the many treasures that I have found at the Thrift stores:
Pfaltzgraff Yorktown dishes
Pfaltzgraff Winter Frost (Christmas dishes)
Beautiful (new still in box) Natavity Set
Brand New Laura Ashley rag rug
Many DVD’s and videos
American Eagle, Polo, Dillards brand,etc. clothing
Vera Bradley bags
Mary Engelbreit collectables
Etc., etc., etc.
Best wishes for shopping treasures!
I think I need to go shopping with you! The shops on my side of town aren’t great and I can’t go as often as I’d like too. I did think there was a good day to go, just didn’t know when it was, so thanks for that info. I’ve decided that shopping them will help me with my patience. Sooner or later I’ll score.
There is a consignment store called Encore Decor on San Jose Blvd (in Jax/Mandarin area) just south of the I-295 junction. They have big furniture and a few framed art/table top accessories. Their prices aren’t “Goodwill cheap” but if you are heading a few steps up the price chain, it is worth a look. They frequently have *new* furniture there that has been in a model home or something–current looking stuff, not dated and full of someone else’s cat hair! We bought my daughter a Pottery Barn couch there which had retailed at $1200, for only $375 and it was just perfect. I also sold a kinda-dated looking chest and a used sofa there on consignment, and made $300+/- for myself on just those two pieces. It can be hit or miss like any secondhand place, but I have found it to be good.
I saw that one online when I was doing my “research”. I will definitely check it out next time I’m over there. Goodwill hasn’t given me anything good lately. I don’t buy upholstered furniture there unless I can re-upholster it. I’m all about buying nice pieces at a discount. Thanks for the tip!
I saw someone who hung the window frames from the front porch and then added a flower window box and put flowers in it. They hung two with small chains and painted them to match their door and window frames on the house. SO CUTE!