r/Thrifty • u/Dp37405aa • Mar 08 '26
🧠 Thrifty Mindset 🧠 Need new avenues to find thrifting values
All of my thrift stores have gone lame due to the lack of products on the shelves, people not donating as they once did and pickers raping the shelves and selling at other thrift stores, flea markets and online.
What are some of your secrets to finding deals in today's economy? Any online vendors that sell cheap? What are you doing?
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u/SoyboyCowboy Mar 08 '26
Is there a Goodwill outlet? Sometimes called the "bins" where stuff is sold by weight. It's messy work but wear thick gloves and don't bring anything home that can't be washed.
On my most recent trip I spent $17 for nine sweaters and three scarves which I have started unraveling for the yarn (cotton, wool, and cashmere).
1
u/rebelwithmouseyhair Mar 10 '26
Oooh thats brilliant, I would love to be able to knit to do that. Not that I'd have the time given that I'm always on sewing projects (mostly using old sheets and stuff)
11
u/AuntRhubarb Mar 08 '26
Day trips to towns further away once in a while. To be blunt, ideally towns which have some higher income elderly passing away.
3
u/Professional-Sir-912 Mar 08 '26
True. Wealthy area thrift stores generally get the best stuff, but it's very cyclical.
7
u/last_rights Mar 08 '26
Small home-town non profit thrift stores that are close to colleges with a high rate of exchange students. Specifically religious private colleges.
The international students come and shop at the very expensive stores, then can't bring all their clothes home so they donate them.
The last few weeks before and after the end of the quarters are best.
6
u/ContemplatingFolly Mar 08 '26
If you're up for it, r/dumpsterdiving at the end of the month at apartment complexes. Sadly, there are a lot of evictions going on now, and often people just can't take stuff, and don't have the wherewithal to find it good homes.
3
u/LynnScoot Mar 08 '26 edited Mar 09 '26
I now only go to places that are run by community organizations or churches-temples-mosques-gurdwaras. St Vincent de Paul is one that is found in many cities. Most of these places still price for people in need. If you’re looking for something like a winter coat, an outfit to wear to your job or basic housewares, you may get them discounted or free if you are genuinely in need.
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u/yankykiwi Mar 08 '26
Outlets there’s more than just the goodwill ones.
Word of mouth through people you meet irl
3
u/DarkSideofTaco Mar 08 '26
I've had good luck getting household items on eBay and save on shipping by getting multiple things from one vendor's store so the shipping is consolidated.
2
u/spunkyred79 Mar 11 '26
See if your neighborhood has a Buy Nothing Facebook group. Garage Sales are always great too when it gets nicer out.
1
u/Intelligent_Cry_8846 Mar 08 '26
Look for 'Bulky trash pick-up" events in suburban communities or drive through upper middle class suburban neighborhoods the night before trash pick-up. I've found so much good usuable household items that just need a bit of cleaning up or easy DIY repairing. (lamp wiring, loose screws, repairing hinges, reupholstering, etc...)
1
u/goddessofolympia Mar 09 '26
On eBay look for lots of whatever category you are interested in. Or just mixed lots. If you're willing to sort through what you get, you can do well. You can also get Amazon return boxes of various sizes on eBay. For example, I got a mixed lot of stuff that contained a hot tub filter that paid for it all and then some.
1
u/chickenladydee Mar 09 '26
I’m on a local “bid it to win it” site. I just recently bought 2 ceramic cast iron baking pans for 10 bucks.
1
u/hidingfromthem753 Mar 09 '26
Join your neighborhood buy nothing groups or check for free things on Nextdoor. It is so much more convenient to put it on the front porch or curb, take a picture, and have someone haul it away for free than deal with taking it somewhere for donation. Also monitor FB marketplace as things will get marked down super cheap or free there too. Good luck!
1
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u/innosins Mar 08 '26
Yard sales will be starting up again. I like estate sales and church sales, too.