[braingonebad]

Any one do consignment/second hand shops? I just found out about one close and wanted to check it out. I got rid of most of my clothes and the ones I still have, a lot don't fit, and very little for cold weather.

What do you look for, what's a good buy? I don't buy a lot of clothes - all of mine would fit in one suitcase.

[Jules A]

I love thrift shops. All my Levis and vintage leather jackets came from GoodWill. Like anything it is hit or miss but well worth it when you find a nice sweater for $8!

Also believe it or not Walmart and Target have decent prices on cute stuff now if you don't need something fancy.

[Dejibo]

ME ME ME!!!! I make my money stretch. I love those consignment shops.

be sure to double and triple check your items. Make sure all the buttons are there. The zippers work. the hems are intact. The fabric isnt dry rotted, or stained. Smell it! tug it. stretch it. look and see if the hem isnt ironed down because of a cuff that keeps rolling.

Rule #1 take a tape measure with you to the stores! many things say a size 8 or 6 when they measure out to be a 4! Many times hems have been raised or lowered and if you put that on, your bum would be hanging out. dont rely on the label to be a guideline for what size it is. Every designer makes clothes on a different cut, and that means it fits differently than the next guy. In some clothes I can wear the 8 and in others I need the 12. I dont go by the label, I go by what fits properly.

Take in your old stuff, and make some profit! Many places will give you 50% of what they make on that item. it must be clean, in style, and in good repair. Goodwill uses a 'boutique" section and has the higher quality, better brands on that rack. Your donations to the Salavation army or goodwill are tax deductible.

Remember they sell more than clothes in those places. You can get furniture, appliances, and household things from toasters to TVs. Make sure to test it BEFORE you leave the store with it. Dont be afraid to really tug on it, and check all the seams.

I am so proud of you! we throw away many great items into our landfills, when they are perfectly good useable items that others can use, and get at a bargain. Way to go!

Last tip, dont be afraid to bargain shop! If they want $7 for something ask the cashier "will you take $5?" 99% of the time, they will! and even if they dont, you are getting a good bargain. You will learn which stores will negotiate for a lower price, and which ones wont. Never hurts to ask.

[kicker]

I love Thrift shops!!! When I used to walk and was a small size, got great things I could not afford new and someone had "grown" out of. In great shape because someone owned them and cared. Think more damage gets done in dressing rooms were some just don't care because it's not theirs. When kids little, found a very upscale baby/toddle resale shop. Clothes were great, my kids looked great and cheaper than K-mart, etc. When kids are a certain age, clothes get ruined, but usually not before. Good coats (down!) from really good places.

[karousel]

I'm not a fan of consignment shops - there aren't many nearby that are really good. I have found good deals selling and buying books at the one here in the village but that's about all. But I love the thrift shops. I donate a lot of things there and do shop there. There are some good deals to be found there. If you know your prices and have time and patience, you can find some awesome deals! You can even find brand new items with the tags still on them!! Like the $60 pants my DH found and paid $7 for or the $35 sweater (still being sold in stores) my DD found that we paid $4 for.

It just takes patience to go through the clothes to find the good ones that aren't stretched out or too faded. I found jeans are a tough one to get to fit right because they usually have been washed so many times the sizes are tricky (hope that makes sense). However, recently I gained weight (ugh) and my jeans no longer fit. There was no way I was going to buy new jeans in a size I didn't want to wear. I bought two pairs for $12 at the thrift store and now that they are too big on me I'll just re-donate them and not feel like I've wasted my money.

The Goodwill here in town that just opened sells new household items as well. But I found they actually cost more than in the regular stores! I've also seen the items I donated on the shelves at a price much higher than I feel they are worth. For example the mug I paid $1 for they were selling for $3. Or the three 15 year old canisters that cost $20 brand new, they were selling for $8 each. Obviously, they are just trying to raise some extra funds for much needed services they provide to the blind.

[Kitty]

We have lots of consignment shops here and I love them! Most everything is very gently used...never worn out or ratty.

I found a Dooney & Bourke purse for $8 once at Goodwill! They obviously didn't know what they had. It looked like it had never been used. I was more excited about that than if I had bought it brand new.

I won't buy shoes at a consignment shop but I'll buy tops, jeans, dresses, accessories. There's nothing like getting several outfits for less than the price you'd pay for one at a department store.

[JustWeave]

I do! A lot!!! They are a great way to get name brand clothes at greatly reduced cost. If you don't mind wearing something someone else wore it can be like shopping at a huge sale.

With a consignment shop money from the sale of an item is split between the shop owner and the previous owner of the item. These shops tend to carry more current styles. Second hand shops usually sell things they got for free. You will find more vintage and out dated styles here. I have found some things brand new with store tags still on the item at both types of shop. I seem to have a knack for finding the hand made items at second hand stores. Both types of shop may also offer household, jewelry or furniture too.

Make sure you look over everything very carefully. Check for holes, stains, and such. Some shops are better at refusing those things than others. Sometimes even good shops miss seeing something. It is also good to be aware of prices in general. Once I paid more for something at Goody's than the same item at Wally World.

Have fun!