Thrift stores… I love ’em. Anyone else with me? I must have a little of my grandmother in me. She used to stop at every garage sale she could find. She’d tell us her car just took over and followed the signs. Now that I’m an adult I feel that urge, too. Forget malls… take me to the thrift store! I’ve been thrifting for over 35 years so today I’m sharing my top 10 thrift store tips.
This post contains affiliate links. You won’t pay any more when you use these but I will earn a small commission on any purchases you make after clicking on them and I greatly appreciate it. Thanks for helping support my little blog!!!
Sign up for my email list to get all our thrifting tips & projects directly in your inbox!
I buy a lot of different things from different thrift stores. You can tell that I get a lot of my DIY projects from thrift stores. I also buy home decor, holiday decorations, and even clothes. There are just a few things I wouldn’t buy from thrift stores. Socks and underwear for example… YUCK!
Some of my friends are amazed that I can find so many good things. They tell me they never find anything. So here are my top ten thrift store tips:
Top Ten Thrift Store Tips
1. Go often. I try to go once a week. Employees of my favorite shop have told me they have dealers that come in EVERY DAY. I’m not ready to go that far but I’m sure you would find a lot more if you did. And don’t get discouraged. Some days you won’t find anything, next time you may fill up your car!
I keep reusable shopping bags in my car all the time just to be ready.
2. Shop with a plan. Make a list of shops in your area and map them out in a loop. This will save you some time, too. Start with the shop closest to your house then try to make a loop, including other places you need to shop also, such as Target or the drug store. (Make sure any groceries are bought at the last stop. Or bring an ice chest.)
My hubby used to watch the kids one day a week for me and I’d was able to do ALL my shopping and errands without distraction like this!
3. Look for shops in older or more influencial neighborhoods. These places will probably have more vintage and/or high end items donated. I often don’t have time to go to these every week so I add them to my weekly loop every month or so.
4. Research thrift shops in areas where you’ll be traveling. Probably not a great idea for a family vacation but if you have to travel for a business trip or to visit family do a little Google search before you leave to see what kind of thrift shops you can find in those areas. Or maybe a rest stop along the way. Just make sure you leave a little extra room in the vehicle in case you find something!
We had a great trip back in April where I searched vintage shops while my husband went mountain biking. I had jewelry boxes and cabinets stashed under seats and every cranny I could find in our Jeep!
5. Speed shop once through the whole store. Pick up anything that looks interesting not might not be there when you get back. Then go back and look closer. If you don’t see anything on your first trip, head to the next shop!
Sunflower vignette with thrift store finds | DuctTapeAndDenim.com
{{{ Read 25 Things You Should ALWAYS Buy at Thrift Stores. }}}
6. Have a list but think outside the box. I keep a running list of things I’d like to find, measurements, and clothes I’m looking for, but most often I find things I love that I hadn’t been expecting.
7. Talk to employees and/or volunteers. Once you start going to the same shops every week you’ll get to know the people that work there. Be friendly. Introduce yourself, call them by their first name, and let them know what you’re looking for. Often we’ll have someone say, “Oh, we have one of those in the back. Let me get it for you!” Sometimes they’ll even let you leave your name and number.
8. Have a price limit. This is a hard one! Think about this ahead of time because when you see something you like you’re gonna want it no matter what. I have had to do that with jewelry cabinets. Some Goodwills are charging the same for their old beat up ones that I do for the ones I paint and makeover! Do a quick online search on your phone if you’re not sure of the value or scarcity.
{{{ Read 10 Things You Should NEVER Buy at Thrift Stores }}}
9. Shop alone. I know a lot of people like to shop with a friend. And I do, too. But when I’m doing my thrift store run that really slows me down. Save the friend shopping day for when you’re going to a big vintage flea market!
10. Keep a thrift store “kit” in your car. This might include hand sanitizer, bags, tissue paper, tape measure, water, and snacks. You’ll most definitely want the hand sanitizer and carrying snacks and water will keep you from spending unnecessary money on food.
I like these travel size hand santizers that can hook onto a loop of your purse or tote. Then I keep a larger one in my Jeep.
And I have a couple of these reusable water bottles. I like the flip up straws.
Then I found this amazing t-shirt that would be perfect to wear while thrifting!
Bonus thrift store tips:
11. Find out when sale days are. My favorite shop has special theme sales every few months with a 50% off sale the last day. Sometimes late that afternoon or the next day they do a “fill a bag for $5” sale! Many shops also have a senior discount day with 20% off.
12. Shop on Monday and Tuesday during the summer. Lots of people have garage sales and bring in donations on Sunday and Monday.
13. Take cash. Some shops only take cash. If you’re going to a new shop, make sure you have a little cash or call to ask if they accept credit.
Do you have more thrift store tips? Leave me a comment if you do. I’d love to hear them! Featured on: Frugal Mommas Friday
‘Til the next project,
Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim
Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Etsy | YouTube
PJ says
November 22, 2016 at 8:37 amShoppers should be aware that, while they sometimes have SOME higher end items, merchandise at thrift stores in pricier neighborhoods is usually priced higher too.
ducttapeanddenim says
November 22, 2016 at 9:31 amTrue, PJ… and I’ve actually seen some items (like Target dollar spot items) selling for MORE at thrift stores!
Elizabeth Frederick says
March 5, 2017 at 6:19 pmI go as often as I can and shop for just about everything at one time or another. I want to add that thrift shops are different in each are so it can be fun to check them out. I also find that small local thrift shops like the one that raises money for the food bank are often cheaper and St Vincent DePaul are cheaper also. You might to dig a little but you might find a gem.
Rebecca says
March 6, 2017 at 8:25 pmI try to keep a mental list of things I’m looking for but often forget! So now I use my shopping ap on my phone and when I’m out and about my list is always with me! It’s also good to have your phone handy to snap a photo so you can get a yay or nay from a friend or spouse.
ducttapeanddenim says
March 6, 2017 at 10:20 pmGreat tip! I actually use a shopping list app on my phone too and have a “thrift store” list. I’ll include that in my update.
Jewels says
March 7, 2019 at 2:07 pmWhich shopping list app do you use?
ducttapeanddenim says
March 10, 2019 at 2:07 pmI use Evernote and just make my own shopping lists. I’ve used special shopping list apps before but keep going back to Evernote. Ends up easier for me to keep all my notes in one place.
Heidi says
March 13, 2017 at 4:04 pmDon’t be afraid to negotiate! Most places are willing to come down in price. It never hurts to ask!
Debbie says
June 3, 2019 at 7:33 amTruism! I found an old, broken down, rotting fabric rocker at GW. I saw the hidden beauty and asked for the manager, who knocked it down 50%. A lot of TLC, paint and bright fabric took this 1880s platform rocker from dumper material to a new B&B to add to the antique decor!
Melissa says
March 14, 2017 at 7:10 pmShopping in thrift stores is so much fun. You never know what you might find. Thanks for sharing your post at the Family Joy Link Party this week!
Charlotte says
March 15, 2017 at 11:21 amNice tips! I would add to be cautious about making sure the items can be cleaned properly as well. Thanks for sharing at Family Joy Blog Linkup.
Barbara says
March 16, 2017 at 6:43 amGreat tips on Thrift Stores. I am also a fan of them. Sometimes I don’t go to one for weeks, though. I kind of get thrifted out.
Nancy Andres says
March 16, 2017 at 9:13 amGreat post. I’ll pin this! I’m visiting you from Thurs. Favorite Things #279. The tip that I need to use on myself is to know to the penny how much I can spend, and not go over budget. I hope you get a chance to see my post, 4 Day Color-packed Vegan Menu Reveal. Nancy Andres@ http://www.colors4health.com
Heidi says
March 21, 2017 at 11:05 amNever would have thought of some of these, but great tips! Can’t wait to go thrifting! Thanks for linking up with Funtastic Friday!
Lyn says
February 7, 2018 at 8:51 pmHey
In the area live in all thrift stores has 50% off on all merchandize . I clean up
Good Luck
ducttapeanddenim says
February 8, 2018 at 3:26 pmThat’s great, Lyn. Do you resell it somewhere? Where?
Lynne Calhoun says
May 18, 2018 at 11:02 amAdditional thrifting supplies I find useful are wet wipes, a magnet, magnifying glass, and batteries (I use rechargeable), small phillips and flat head screw drivers. Thank you for sharing! Lynne
Katherine says
October 17, 2018 at 9:24 pmI have shopped for clothes for so many years that I have learned to just hold them up to me and look in the mirror. 90% of the time this works, and if it doesn’t I have usually paid so little at the thrift shop that I don’t mind donating it back. Saves time and the dressing rooms are usually absent or yucky.
Noelle says
January 14, 2019 at 10:36 pmThanks for the great tips! I have a small antique shop. So my sister in law and I decided to shopped for 3 days in an infamilier areas, so we made a list of all the thrift stores and consignment shops for those areas and the times they closed. Then she was the driver, I was the navigator… we hit so many stores in a days time that by the end of 3 days, we had a truckload of great items for re-sale! Had a lot of fun and great bonding time!
ducttapeanddenim says
January 17, 2019 at 5:46 pmGreat idea! And sounds like a LOT of fun!
Kathy A says
March 7, 2019 at 8:56 amAs a cozy murder mystery lover, I can’t keep track of what I haven’t read/owned sometimes. I rip out the page (purists could copy) with all the author’s titles and tick off what I have so I don’t buy duplicates. Saves me time and money. Although books move slowly in my booth, I look for first editions and autographs, too. GW seems to miss those! I buy books about Maine/New England as tourists seem to go for these when on vacay here!
ducttapeanddenim says
March 10, 2019 at 2:07 pmGreat ideas! Thanks for sharing!
Frankie says
April 18, 2019 at 1:10 pmGreat list! One thing I do that I noticed isn’t here is to look inside of things! There’s been several times I’ve opened a wicker basket and something amazing was in it. Just have to remember some people go just to waste time, tagging along with someone else, or may not have the money to buy it right then.
Liv says
May 6, 2019 at 8:31 pmI prefer to go with a niche. Currently designer jeans and purses, previously vintage toys. By picking a niche, I can hit all my stores quicker. No matter what you do, have patience and FUN!!!
ducttapeanddenim says
May 7, 2019 at 5:04 pmPatience and fun are two very important parts of thrifting!
Debbie says
June 3, 2019 at 7:45 amI love colorful glassware, in particular Vaseline glass. I have a purse-sized black light flashlight. One sweep along the shelf will light up these (sometimes) hidden gems. Also, if shopping for glass, pottery littles ($1-2 flea market pieces) have a list of makers marks. I also run my hand inside the top shelf of GW carts; I once came up with a beautiful little bird in a cage for $1. It was Limoge!
Emily says
June 11, 2019 at 9:02 pmGreat tips! I always take a list, but I do it a little differently. I’m a bullet journal person, and so I take a photo of my list right before I leave the house. And, of course, I leave myself some flexibility for anything that’s too cool to pass up.
ducttapeanddenim says
March 11, 2020 at 3:07 pmThanks for your feedback. I’m working on more thrifting tips right now. I’ll try to go more in-depth next time… and add to this article, too.