The official thrift/discount store bragging thread

[tben]

Not to change the subject but...

I had a funny/strange experience with a thrift store volunteer yesterday. She was pricing items and pulled what she said to be a vintage Christian Dior scarf out of the pile she was to put away. She exclaimed to the other women how wonderful it was so I decided to walk over and take a look. I examined it and found it to be very poor quality, and quite possibly made of a synthetic blend, Christian Dior Monsieur. I politely told her that it was not a very nice scarf but she looked perplexed and exclaimed, but it’s Dior! Priced it at $28 dollars. Didn’t think we established a good rapport but she followed me around the rest of the time I was in there and asked me what she should be pricing certain items at. Has this ever happened to you??
I had a feeling like, this

this

and this

all in one. (Sorry if this has been previously stated)

 

[woolnotmutton]

It sounds like fakes are more common than I thought. I can spot a fake LV, but my eye has not spotted how to tell a fake Hermes, Gucci, etc bag. I think I only ever pay $10 - $60 for bags when I get em, Im thinking I have scored a bunch of fakes. Dammit - it is being like told as a little kid Santa Claus does not exist

Quick question - if a Hermes garment has inner tag with washing instructions in chinese, what does that mean?
I know the answer sound obvious, but do Hermes make exclusive stuff for Chinese only market?

I believe that this could very well be how it is made, generally because there is a huge luxury market now in China. Every luxury maker wants a piece of that pie.

Not to change the subject but...

I had a funny/strange experience with a thrift store volunteer yesterday. She was pricing items and pulled what she said to be a vintage Christian Dior scarf out of the pile she was to put away. She exclaimed to the other women how wonderful it was so I decided to walk over and take a look. I examined it and found it to be very poor quality, and quite possibly made of a synthetic blend, Christian Dior Monsieur. I politely told her that it was not a very nice scarf but she looked perplexed and exclaimed, but it’s Dior! Priced it at $28 dollars. Didn’t think we established a good rapport but she followed me around the rest of the time I was in there and asked me what she should be pricing certain items at. Has this ever happened to you??
I had a feeling like, this

this

and this

all in one. (Sorry if this has been previously stated)

You should have just looked at it and moved on.. Don't need to contribute your knowledge to thrift store workers, that is how high prices become even higher.

 

[tben]

Yeah, I offered no further advice but it didn't stop her from following. But she was a nice elderly woman so I thought it impolite not to continue a conversation after I just looked at something that she was holding. Trapped, I guess you could say. As for my knowledge, its minimal, but thanks to all of you, I am learning.

 

[toscano_adottato]

Picked up a very nice leather JCrew jacket today that will be good for cold saturdays out and about.

Also got Karl Lagerfeld charcoal flannel pants estimated size 36x32, PRL dark green flannel pants estimated size 34x32 and Principe dark green flannel pants estimated size 34x32. All three are up for trade. PM for pics and exact measurements.

I see Principe quite often, usually labeled Made in Italy. Is that a quality brand? Fabric on these pants is beautiful.

I have a bunch of stuff I'd be interested in trading but the Thrifting Traders thread doesn't seem that active. Anyone in DC area interested in a swap meet?

 

[Klobber]

Let them overprice Dior Monsieur pieces that are 20+ years old, as long as they dont touch Canali, Brioni etc, I am happy with that. Thrifts are wising up to Made in Italy garments though and starting to price accordingly.

 

[Nataku]



Went out today....found not a damn thing.
These flippers have scoured every interesting item and left pretty much not even mediocre garbage.
Its been quite some time since I have seen anything exciting.
I used to find at least some cool pants or shirts, but as of late, I get excited when I see a 20 year old zegna tie.
Could it be the times of finding Brioni casmere blazers and Kiton suits are gone for my market?
On another note, thrifitng with Nataku is FUN. We need to have thrifting ambassadors who we can connect with when traveling!

Same thing here. I used to find some great stuff. The Barbour jacket is the first nice score I've had in months. Lots of empty-handed trips lately. Big-time flippers are getting worse and worse here. A fellow thrifter and SFer told me that one thrift store that is either a big hit or a big miss (for good reason) rakes in $,9000 a day! That's insane for a thrift store. Then again, it's plunked right in the middle of a very wealthy area. People from miles around go here to stake it out and scrape up the nice stuff.

All this time I read posts on here about high prices and didn't really think it'd happen here anytime soon. Well, about 3 weeks ago - it started here in the mainstream stores. There was always a couple chains that priced stuff outrageously and I avoided those for that reason, but now every chain does it. $20 for a Burberry shirt and leather jackets being priced regularly at $20-$30 at Goodwill, $50 for a Polo RL sportcoat at Salvation Army and $40 (!) for an ancient Zegna tie at Savers. Jeez! It's getting out of hand, and it's like it exploded all at once.

On another note, thrifitng with Nataku is FUN. We need to have thrifting ambassadors who we can connect with when traveling!

This would be great! It's not only fun, but you can share a hobby/passion as well as put a face to a name. None of my friends give a hoot about clothing (not even my wife), so it's nice to chat with someone face to face about nice clothing and treasure hunting at thrift stores.

I believe that this could very well be how it is made, generally because there is a huge luxury market now in China.  Every luxury maker wants a piece of that pie.  

+1. China and Japan are crazy for luxury goods. Definitely judge the quality of materials, construction and the logo font, etc.

 

[eddievddr10]

hey nataku, any update on the sweater ordeal??

 

[Achilles_]



Let them overprice Dior Monsieur pieces that are 20+ years old, as long as they dont touch Canali, Brioni etc, I am happy with that. Thrifts are wising up to Made in Italy garments though and starting to price accordingly.

x2

The worst was when I walked into a "goodwill reserve" and they had a used burberry london suit selling for $300

It wasn't even a nice colour, it was yellowish/green.

I don't know the going rate on ebay, but no one going into goodwill would pay that much for a used suit!

 

[tben]

Let them overprice Dior Monsieur pieces that are 20+ years old, as long as they dont touch Canali, Brioni etc, I am happy with that. Thrifts are wising up to Made in Italy garments though and starting to price accordingly.

Yes, I have noticed this as well. Unfortunately this seems to be the case with this particular thrift. I don't think I will be making that many more appearances there unless I just happen to be in that area. They had a few HF suits from the 80's chained to a rack and wanted $100 or more for each. However, there were a pair of Ferragamo loafers, 10D, for $12.

 

[Achilles_]



Same thing here. I used to find some great stuff. The Barbour jacket is the first nice score I've had in months. Lots of empty-handed trips lately. Big-time flippers are getting worse and worse here. A fellow thrifter and SFer told me that one thrift store that is either a big hit or a big miss (for good reason) rakes in $,9000 a day! That's insane for a thrift store. Then again, it's plunked right in the middle of a very wealthy area. People from miles around go here to stake it out and scrape up the nice stuff.
All this time I read posts on here about high prices and didn't really think it'd happen here anytime soon. Well, about 3 weeks ago - it started here in the mainstream stores. There was always a couple chains that priced stuff outrageously and I avoided those for that reason, but now every chain does it. $20 for a Burberry shirt and leather jackets being priced regularly at $20-$30 at Goodwill, $50 for a Polo RL sportcoat at Salvation Army and $40 (!) for an ancient Zegna tie at Savers. Jeez! It's getting out of hand, and it's like it exploded all at once.

I would have considered that brown burberry for $8 or $9, but I could not believe they wanted $20!

I hit up that goodwill on the way out out of town (the last one we visited), and there was absolutely nothing. I was excited to find a 100% linen PRL size L custom fit in light blue for $5, only to notice the gigantic white stain on the back.

 

[Klobber]



I hit up that goodwill on the way out out of town (the last one we visited), and there was absolutely nothing. I was excited to find a 100% linen PRL size L custom fit in light blue for $5, only to notice the gigantic white stain on the back.

Bleach stains are the number one reason for a fellow to chuck away a perfectly good shirt. See this all the time.

Yes, I have noticed this as well. Unfortunately this seems to be the case with this particular thrift. I don't think I will be making that many more appearances there unless I just happen to be in that area. They had a few HF suits from the 80's chained to a rack and wanted $100 or more for each. However, there were a pair of Ferragamo loafers, 10D, for $12.

I would still go there, just would come home empty handed very often. You never know what they miss out on - i.e. there may be an Attolini or Partenopia SC they think is junk and price accordingly, but we know is Gold. $100 for HF or any second hand suit is outrageous

The worst was when I walked into a "goodwill reserve" and they had a used burberry london suit selling for $300
It wasn't even a nice colour, it was yellowish/green.
I don't know the going rate on ebay, but no one going into goodwill would pay that much for a used suit!

I have a NWT Burberry London suit in a very nice color / pattern and material, and I am wondering if I could could scrape up to $350 for it. That a thrift store is asking $300 for a second hand piece is madness personified - they will never sell it unless the suit tag color is 50% off for that day, and even then it is unlikely to move ....

 

[Achilles_]



I have a NWT Burberry London suit in a very nice color / pattern and material, and I am wondering if I could could scrape up to $350 for it. That a thrift store is asking $300 for a second hand piece is madness personified - they will never sell it unless the suit tag color is 50% off for that day, and even then it is unlikely to move ....

I saw that suit, I think it should move fairly easy. The pattern is very nice!

 

[AlanC]

If someone comes across a Barbour Beaufort in a size 40 keep me in mind.

 

[Nataku]

Found this one on eBay the other night while scouring the "local" listings to see what I may have missed out on and trying to find local flippers accounts

Same size and condition as mine. From the Minneapolis area, too. Wonder if it was found at the same thrift and is from the same donor. Had me thinking "What else did I miss....?"

http://www.ebay.com/itm/250926026034?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Sittin at $66 right now. Maybe you could snipe it at the last minute.....

 

[AlanC]

^ Thanks, Natuka. I actually had in mind a traditional waxed Beaufort, but I am now watching this one.