How do you feel about thrift stores?

[Dave Gray]

I've been on a bit of a thrift store kick lately.  I'm not really sure why.  I don't love stuff, but I do love rummaging.

I generally gravitate to housewares: mugs and stuff, as well as holiday specific decor and sports things.  I will look through but rarely, if ever, purchase clothes, though I do find some cool stuff.  Often, it's stuff I already have or it's nice, but in a different size.

I also browse electronics and media: records and movies and stuff.

I have been noticing that in my area, there are always adult diapers.  That's kinda sad, because I figure in pretty much every case, an old person died and their stuff, including their unopened surplus of diapers went to goodwill.

The other day, I found unopened boxes of brand-name toothpaste.  I didn't buy it.  I don't know why, but it just doesn't seem like a thrift store item.  Also, I don't know how much toothpaste regularly costs, because I don't buy it super often and when I do, I usually just compare what I'm buying to the other toothpastes around it.  But, in a vacuum, is $3 a good deal for a tube of Crest?

I am kinda interested in getting shoes, but that seems a bit gross, since feet are stinky and it's a little bit like buying used underwear.  That's not true, I'm sure, but it does feel like it.  I need to get some new cleats and I know those are donated a lot.

Lastly, the things that I definitely buy at thrift stores are injury-related.  If you need a walker or a wheelchair or crutches or a potty-chair or a knee-scooter or anything like that, thrift is the way to go.  You're going to heal up and discard it anyway.

Do you thrift?  What kinds of things do you like?

[Sunstroke]

I love hitting/dollar stores for basic household stuff like ice cubes, coat hangers, humongous bags of rubber bands to torment the cats with, etc...   Not sure if I have ever shopped in an actual thrift store though...

[CF DolFan]

My wife hits Dollar Tree all the time for many different things but mostly items to decorate for each holiday. One of my daughters hits Goodwill for clothes all the time. I've been to both numerous times but not in the recent past.

[Spider-Dan]

I donate my old clothes to a local thrift store associated with a homeless shelter (think Goodwill, but more direct and local).
I usually stop in and look through their offerings when I drop off my donation.  Their used video game selection has completely dried up, likely due to increased value of the retro gaming market.  They will occasionally have some interesting used electronics, and I've bought a few pieces of furniture.

Most of the wall artwork in my home I've picked up from thrift stores.  Several years ago I decided to do something about all the barren walls in my house, and so I went around to a bunch of the local thrift stores and bought several pieces I found interesting.  I'll post some pics later.

[Brian Fein]

I have seen some people find some incredible collectibles in thrift stores.  I have never had such luck, and a lot of times these stores may not know what they have.  I do enjoy the hunt, though.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

The positive is you can get some really good deals.

The downside is I am frequently buy something I don't actually need. Because of the hit and miss aspect if I need something specific I buy it online or go to a store I know has it not a thrift store. 

Buying something I don't need because it is regularly $100 but I can now get for $10, isn't saving $90 it is wasting $10.  Typically that is what I am doing.

[CF DolFan]

I have seen some people find some incredible collectibles in thrift stores.  I have never had such luck, and a lot of times these stores may not know what they have.  I do enjoy the hunt, though.

My in-laws have raked up in yard sales … especially in nicer areas. I’ve never had that luck but then again, I’m not available to hit them on Fridays. Being there at the right time makes all the difference.

[masterfins]

I don't seek out thrift stores for shopping, but there is a Goodwill brand store next to a Staples office supply store that I go to about every other month.  I always check out the thrift store for the heck of it and probably buy something 50% of the time. Last year on a stop I bought 3 pairs of practically new jeans for $8 each.  I've found new, with tags still on, golf shirts and windbreakers.  I've bought miscellaneous office items like electric pencil sharpener, desk trays for papers.  I had been looking for a lamp shade I needed for a bedside table lamp, and two weeks ago I just happened to come across this cool colored one that was perfect for $3; there was something else I got on this trip for like $5 but can't remember what it is now, probably a kitchen related item.  For college students, young people starting out with their first place, or poor people, it's a great place to get kitchen items; they always have glasses, dishes, coffee makers, toasters, pans, etc.

[Pappy13]

My wife hits the thrift stores at least twice a month. She can typically make her rounds between 5 or 6 in our area in a couple hours. She's always bringing stuff home. I've gone with her from time to time, but I don't really enjoy it. I don't purchase much for myself anyway. My wife will buy things for me from time to time like sports memorabilia and will let me know if she sees something like electronics that she thinks I might be interested in. I have purchased things like monitors from thrift stores before for $10 or something if I just happened to find a really good deal.