Anonymous wrote:Always always remember: Just because it's "such a good deal" doesn't mean you actually "need" it.

Find some limit, whether # of visits a month or amount of money you can spend or "I'm only looking for x or y types of items."

Yes. As a longtime thrift shopper, I now make a mental list of what I'm looking for before entering the stores and only buy those items. Also, no ripped/stained/need to be altered or fixed items. I also only buy clothes if they fit PERFECTLY. Way too easy to buy stuff just because you like it and it's cheap.

I'm not into buying other people's used designer stuff. I will buy unusual items, antiques, that sort of thing.

My local Unique has mostly crappy childreswear. womens clothing all outdated too. I'm sure it depends on when u go and to which store.

people in this area get rid of lots of amazing stuff with lots of life left in it... try Value Village, Unique, and even some goodwills. There are a few random charities (dog rescues, church thrifts) that have small shops open odd hours but have good stuff sometimes.

I once bought a pair of jean shorts from Goodwill on South Dakota and found a bag of new dime bags in the pocket. Sweet! Gave them to my kids to play druggie at the park.

Also got a monogrammed LL Bean backpack for my kindergartener.

I keep hoping to find a Stokes hoodie, but no luck, yet.

Bed bug people are nuts. Gifts from thrift stores are awesome. I detect snottiness here from people who don't have a good thrift store around them

The thrift stores have many many items that still have the tags on them. I bought a Ralph Lauren peacoat for my daughter last year that still had the tags from Macy's. I gto a Land's End Squall Jacket for my neighbor's son that was still in the shipping bag. We got lacrosse equipment and shoes that had no wear on them at all and were spotless. I found a vintage jacket with Filene's tags on it that was lined in the most gorgeous damask pattern and was buttersoft leather - for $15. I wear it with my jeans everywhere.

Good shoppers with a good eye can go gangbusters at thrift shops.

True watch out for bed bugs i loved going there for good deals on mostly kids stuff clothes, toys and books until we got bed bugs my goidness cant belive how hard it was to get rid of them had to throw away all our beds including mattress thank God after a year we are bed bug free im pretty sure they were from thrift stores

OP...which are the best ones???

I don't think it's necessarily tacky to buy gifts for someone else at a thrift store as long as you aren't trying to pass them off as brand new items. Antiques, old out of print books obviously aren't going to be at Macy's.

I've picked up some unique treasures at our local thrift store.

Hey...One's cast off's can surely be another one's treasures...

But I wouldn't go shopping for other people's gifts in a thrift shop.

That is just plain tacky OP.

Unless you of course, were a pauper.

I love value village but only allowyself $40 a month to spend there.

Anonymous wrote:You need to revisit the finance educational materials that are taught to first graders regarding 'wants' v 'needs'.

If you are on a strict savings budget, you should only purchase needs.

I've recently discovered eBay. I get a double thrill from the bidding and getting a deal. It takes a lot of self restraint, but I am trying hard to follow my advice above.

Are you posting from 1998?

Anonymous wrote:Aren't you concerned about bed bugs? I used to buy used stuff before the bed bug epidemic but would not do so now,

No, but I don't buy furniture or stuffed animals, just clothes. If you are worried about bed bugs in clothes, stick them in the freezer than wash.

Aren't you concerned about bed bugs? I used to buy used stuff before the bed bug epidemic but would not do so now,