Who here “thrifts?” I spent today on my “thrift store circuit” and made out like a bandit. Highlights include:
*New (never been worn) hiking boots - $1.50
*Air popcorn popper - $3.99 (+30% off)
*Big-ass candle (for reals - like a foot tall, 5 inches wide) - $1.49 (+30% off) (Will be melted down and made into candles of a usable size.)
*Dust ruffle for bed - $2.99 (+50% off)
*Two vintage clothing patterns (correct size and everything) - .29 cents each
*Nike golf shoes for my husband (missing cleats, but he has those already) - $2.99 (I’ve been looking for a decent pair in his size for like 6 months – this is the prize coup for the day.)
For the hell of it I went to MacFrugals and bought a Fiestaware ice crusher for $10 – I’m enjoying a delicious soda with crushed ice right now!
I stopped at one today after work, hoping to find some pregnancy books for my sister. I found the one I was specifically looking for “What to Expect…” and 5 other great ones, for 6 bucks.
My latest find is a bright green 60’s style dress. I’m actually at the moment, trying to buy a thin black tie to wear, but I can’t find any in any of the thrift stores…I’ll keep hunting though.
Yes! I have to wear a tie to work. Most of mine are ex- thrift shop (we call them “opportunity shops” here in Oz) and I get compliments on them from work colleagues.
I am currently reading a Raymond Chandler story as published in a fifties thriller magazine. - 50 cents, and it’s a historical document!
Oooooh I love thrift stores. My husband has learned to tolerate my obcession and my kids remain mortified whenever I bring anything home. Just FTR I only buy things that are useful, my size or in great shape. What I consider my greatest coup was actually a freebie–even better. Once during the city spring cleaning when citizens are urged to set out any large items to be picked up free of charge, I drove by as this old man was carrying out a really unusual chair–leather and the wooden arms looked like longhorns. I stopped and politely asked if he was discarding it and he said he was then I asked if he minded if I took it instead and he was agreeable. I went back to the car to ask my son who was 14 at the time to help me carry it. He flat out refused cause “some of his friends might see him picking up trash” I lugged and tugged and finally the old man helped me load it in my car. I took it home, cleaned it up a bit–and people still comment on what a great chair it is.
Ties are a great bargain, usually in brand new condition and can often be picked up for a buck. I’ve found some absolutely perfect top of the line designer names at the thrifts.
Once I was in the goodwill and noticed the black leather skirt on the mannequin looked to be my size and I had them take it off her. It cost me $5. Another time I found a dark green suede skirt, lined and in perfect condition for $3.50.
I forgot to mention some of my other greatest finds.
A pair of Doc Marten’s in my size for $5. They fit great.
Recently I found a gorgeous little black cocktail dress for $4.
I also like to look in the formals section for the largest dresses I can find and take them apart for the material. I can have yards of satin, velvet and lace for other projects for only a few bucks. And you can save the buttons and decorations and stuff for your crafts box.
I bought about a half dozen bathing suits in assorted sizes for loaners if someone comes over and wants to swim. It saves the wear and tear on the suits I want to wear.
As you can tell, I do love thrift stores and bargains in general.
I forgot to mention the chair I ALMOST bought. It was one of those “Archie Bunker” type chairs with the wings and it looked to be in great condition ($60, but would’ve been half off 'cos it was a blue tag.) Well, here’s the problem – it was dried mustard yellow, lol. I couldn’t decide if it would be worth it for $30 if I still had to have it reupholstered, and we’re a bit full-up with furniture as it is, so I passed on it.
I love the way you can pick up more best-sellers than you can shake a stick at at the thrifts. I’ve gotten some hardbacks that are still on the bestseller list for less than a dollar, and I always stock up on 25 cent paperbacks for vacation reading. I pretty much consistently come home from thrifting with at least one book and one sweater, haha. I have more sweaters than anyone I’ve ever met.
Most surprizing recent find: I bought a set of Williams-Sonoma salad plates for 50 cents each a few months ago. (I had assumed they were several seasons old or something.) I was at a Williams-Sonoma just after Xmas and saw they were still selling the same plates – for $8 each!
About two years ago (actually, it was spring break of my sophmore year, and it’s spring of my senior year now, so exactly two years) I went around to a few Salvation Army stores in the area. For $1.50 or so, I got the greatest jacket ever. It’s a little small for me, but that doesn’t matter. People ask me if I murdered a couch for it. Check out http://www.parfive.cc/alexbought.htm and you’ll see me waving a dollar at the singer of a local punk/ska band. I’m wearing the now legendary jacket. And yes, I did have glove tan lines for a while after the summer, if you’re wondering why my hands are that white compared to my arms. Also on stage is bassist Leo and in front of me is the head of my sexy friend, Crystal.
You know vogue, there is a book by the exact name & I once bought it, it’s called ‘Thrift Score’ its about $12, you should get it, its very funny & lots of funny stories & hints on how to shop those stores. (I work for three of them)
Thanks handy, I have it but other thrifters might like it too. (It’s quite an interesting read. The author’s name is Al Hoff, BTW.) I also recently bought a book for Bay Area thrifting called Never Buy Anything New (Except This Book) which has about 400 thrift and consignment stores in the San Francisco/San Jose area with descriptions of what they sell and how to find them, etc. That was also an interesting read, although it was printed in 1992, so I suspect a good deal of the stores have folded or moved.
For anyone interested in finding thrifts and resale shops in their area (or for a side trip on vacation), the site http://secondhand.25online.com/search.asp?oper=searchform can help you find stores by area or zip code. (Yes, I pre-searched for thrift stores to visit in Las Vegas while my husband played golf, heh heh.)