<p>Our local GW is packed and completely unorganized unfortunately. I’ve gone inside several times when we were dropping things off and left in frustration. We had several ah-mazing thrift stores in the town next to ours in PA when the boys were much younger. All of their dress clothes came from there (you could always find a navy blazer in any size), khaki pants, many things with tags. There was also a nice one with women’s things that had many of the brands I liked. It was wonderful for a young SAHM.</p>
<p>I’ve shopped at thrift shops my entire life. (I was born at Bryn Mawr Hospital; I know I was shopping in their thrift shop by the time I was five.) I’ve shopped in consignment shops and thrift shops and “nearly new” shops pretty much everywhere I’ve gone. I remember being in a thrift shop in Tulsa, OK (I pulled over on my way to the airport) when I lucked into an amazing cache of designer clothing in my daughter’s size (it had come in that morning). I was photographing and emailing photo after photo to her–I spent $50 in less than ten minutes and got her some amazing things! </p>
<p>The best thrift shops are in neighborhoods where there aren’t many poor people, I’m afraid. Unless it’s a thrift chain (Goodwill, Salvation Army, Value Village), stuff doesn’t get moved around–and people with money are more willing to donate their stuff.</p>
<p>I’ve been in what I call a “divestment phase” since my mother died in 2003. I’m trying to move stuff OUT of my house, not bring it in; my mother had a lot of stuff she was “saving” and no one wanted any of it. I can’t imagine how my kids would look at some of this stuff if I got hit by a bus this afternoon. In consequence, every few months I go through the things I own and try to get rid of anything I haven’t worn, that doesn’t fit, no longer have any interest in, etc. I try to find people who can use what I no longer want–through Freecycle, mostly–but if I can’t, it’s off to Goodwill. I haven’t found it to be worth my time to try to sell things.</p>
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<p>I’ll confirm what romani and OperaDad said upthread about the poor getting vouchers for clothes at certain places. My family has gotten these vouchers before, and we were allowed to pick out so many tops, pants, etc. My sister even got vouchers to a consignment shop before when she had to shop for more professional clothing. </p>
<p>“The best thrift shops are in neighborhoods where there aren’t many poor people, I’m afraid.”</p>
<p>Totally true. I tend to shop at Thrifty Shopper (tends to be the best organized one around here, IMO) and the absolute best one is in my fiance’s home town adjacent to a wealthy neighborhood. The clothes are pristine and I usually leave the store with plenty of loot. It’s smaller than your typical thrift store but what is there is of wonderful quality, and SO CHEAP. On top that of that they have periodic sales where the entire store is 40% off. They even usually have racks full of stuff that is new with tags. My local area is pretty economically depressed and this is reflected in our Thrifty Shopper. I can find a couple things there but most everything is quite picked over and you really have to search for the good stuff.</p>
<p>I have never before heard anyone voice the opinion that the goods in a thrift store should be left for the poor to purchase, and that wealthier people shouldn’t deprive poor people of the opportunity to purchase those goods because they can afford to shop elsewhere. </p>
<p>The thrift stores I’ve visited really have no shortage of goods. Even with us facultative thrifty people shopping there, I assure you, there is plenty left for the obligate thrifty to choose from.</p>
<p>Also, this is exactly correct:
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<p>The goods we donate are primarily useful when they can be turned into cash. If those of use who have a little spare cash don’t mind purchasing a few of the items other folks with extra stuff could afford to give away…that’s how it is supposed to work.</p>
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<p>I’ll 3rd this. I know a LOT of people that go from Detroit and Lansing to the suburbs to get better selections. </p>
<p>Thrift stores were a lifesaver for my parents when I was growing up. I did handmedowns until I was about 8 and grew taller than my 5 years older sister. I had growth spurts every few months and there’s no way we could have afforded retail price to keep up with my growth.</p>
<p>On the flip side, it’s always really difficult to find pants there that are long enough for me :(</p>
<p>Late to this thread, and late to Goodwill and thrift stores. The mother of a good friend of S1 said around 20 years ago that she found great stuff there, so I started lurking. I’ve gotten a great Ann Taylor knit silk top and a Brooks Brothers wool turtleneck. Both nicer than I might have bought retail. </p>
<p>I only buy tops, however – not pants.</p>
<p>And when we moved houses, I donated about three rooms worth of furnishings to Goodwill!</p>
<p>Just back from GW, Got a nice hardwood folding book shelf in great condition.</p>
<p>I used to think the thrift stores should just enable low priced options to the poor. But now I occasionally shop at thrift stores because they are raising money for charities. I especially like our local Humane Society shop - items for people (mostly), profits for abandoned pets. </p>
<p>When my D was in hs, she detested clothes shopping (unusual, I know). I used to get her $3 pants at the thrift shop. If she liked them, great. If not I re-donated them.</p>
<p>I think you must be talking about me. I’m wearing Not Your Daughters Jeans ($5), a JJill sweater ($6), an Ann Taylor 3/4 length sleeve sweater shell ($5), a Vera Wang silk scarf ($2), and my NB sneakers ($5 and they were brand new) right now. Just bought DS a DKNY dress shirt ($1 clearance), DH a Lands End slim cut ($1 clearance), and two pairs of insulated country curtains tab curtains ($8) for either or spare room or DSs new apartment. </p>
<p>Money goes to support developmentally disabled adults…and their programs. </p>
<p>I go to the thrift stores and GW first…if I can’t find it there, I go to the mall…mall is a rare occasion!</p>
<p>I love my local thrift store. I don’t have to shop there but it’s the only way I can afford higher quality clothing for my daughters like LLBean, JCrew, and Banana Republic. Fortunately we are close to a more affluent area where people discard last year’s clothes pretty quickly. I do think some of my fellow shoppers are ebayers with a keen eye for what they know is grossly underpriced at the thrift store.</p>
<p>I Love thrift shops! I have gotten my daughters hooked on them too. (People in Bennington, Vermont give away the coolest clothes to Goodwill.) Even my husband will go into the local Salvation Army for T shirts to wear while working in the yard. The thrift shops I do to are huge, with no shortage of clothing. In fact, every week is half price on a different color ticket just so they can unload the merchandize. So, no, I don’t think I’m taking clothes away from others. I also donate generously.</p>
<p>I just went thru my closets with ruthless support from my sister. All my size 0 went to local hospital thrift store. that meant 1/3 of my closets. Whatever they don’t feel worthy of their store will be sent to other charities. While I was dropping off, my sister found a denim skirt, which she wanted. I always look for costume articles and neat jewelry. While I see many bargain-hunters there, I also see the truly needy. I also left golf club bag, filled to brim.</p>
<p>Since Packmom and I live in the furniture capital of country we are spoiled. Not only are the factories here for the new stuff but the factories have BEEN HERE FOREVER!</p>
<p>You want it, its here. And if its not cheap enough this week, it will be next week! One of our best investments was an old Dodge truck. Used it to haul furniture. Between the 5 kiddos all setting up house it paid for itself in a month. Boys fixed it up, was an old farm truck, had hay all over it, less than 40K miles (farm miles). Moved kiddos in and out of college and now into their new homes and apartments. Lend it out to friends and family.</p>
<p>And I just love old books. They way they feel and smell, and the ink on the pages. And I adore pretty covers. So finding them for under $1, especially nickels and dimes makes me happy.</p>
<p>I tell everyone we moved from CA to NC for the in-state tuition and the grad schools, but the furniture was REALLY my motivation! </p>
<p>And the sweet tea.
(which son has ruled out of my diet)</p>
<p>Kat</p>
<p>Raising hand, I shop a thrift stores on a fairly regular basis. Many great scores, the best was a Hermes (real) scarf for $2.50.</p>
<p>kat,
the rich people from here go to NCa to shop furniture. I am envious!!! i’ve looked for bedframes and outdoor furniture, but not often enough</p>
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<p>Perhaps, but I wouldn’t share! The good stuff is already hard enough to find these days. :)</p>
<p>I prefer my clothes brand new, but I do not like the styles available now. At consignment shops, I can purchase the styles I loved from yesteryear. I want a sweater with long sleeves, not three quarter sleeves, and with a crew neck, not a scoop neck or a floppy gigantic turtle neck. I get cold in the winter, and need a high neck and long sleeves. Plus, clothes are made so much more cheaply today than they were 10 years ago, so I’m getting better quality. When I find a skirt or slacks that have an actual set in waistband, I’m really in heaven! My body is not made for low rise pants.</p>
<p>I’m from NC but have lived in VA forever almost now, but I’ve gotten lots of our furniture from NC. You just cannot beat the prices.</p>
<p>garland, thanks for the google tip; hilarious. And yet there’s something about those mid-century modern homes that I just love.</p>