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The official thrift/discount store bragging thread - Page 3470

post #52036 of 71022
11/1/12 at 2:50pm
Did my standard run. Grabbed some very nice, like-new PRL pants for myself (not available) along with an Aquascutum tie and a Hickey Freeman size L white/grey sweater (both available).

PRL pants (not available) (Click to show)
Aquascutum tie (Click to show)

Hickey Freeman sweater (Click to show)


I swear either I have magical pants powers... Or people just don't check the pants as often. Along with the PRL, passed over some nice BB pants (hole in the leg), Zanellas with a slightly beat up waist, some brown HF pants I debated grabbing but didn't, and a mess of other lesser PRL pants. Usually there's a reason not to buy them, but pants are easily the thing I've bought the most of thusfar (and I never see this level of quality-makers-but-damaged stuff for shirts/suits/etc).
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post #52037 of 71022
11/1/12 at 2:59pm

Pants can be annoying to check for.  At some stores the pants are hung at the waist, and I pretty much always skip the pants when that's the case because it takes way too long to get through the pants when they are hung that way (they easily fall off as well).

Quote:
Originally Posted by staxringold View Post

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

Did my standard run. Grabbed some very nice, like-new PRL pants for myself (not available) along with an Aquascutum tie and a Hickey Freeman size L white/grey sweater (both available).

PRL pants (not available) (Click to show)
Aquascutum tie (Click to show)

Hickey Freeman sweater (Click to show)

 

 

I swear either I have magical pants powers... Or people just don't check the pants as often. Along with the PRL, passed over some nice BB pants (hole in the leg), Zanellas with a slightly beat up waist, some brown HF pants I debated grabbing but didn't, and a mess of other lesser PRL pants. Usually there's a reason not to buy them, but pants are easily the thing I've bought the most of thusfar (and I never see this level of quality-makers-but-damaged stuff for shirts/suits/etc).
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post #52038 of 71022
11/1/12 at 2:59pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jpmorris View Post

Ok, first real thrift fit. (my previous being all blackwatch with blackwatch umbrella). Let me know what you think in general, and also in particular as what else I could wear with these pants given their odd color and weave (herringbone). These things are baller though, so i need some ideas. Stance is weird but natural lol, im a stocky dude. HF Blazer thrifted by me for 5, brioni shirt from my man CottonDockers, Pants Zanella Platinum unicorns thrifted by me for $4, shoes Church's consul custom grade Mercuryman via EazyE, not seen Baume and Mercier watch. Thrift fit 1st edition (Click to show)





next two are to try to better illustrate color.




Looks great! I can't really tell what color those pants are...stone? Khaki? If it's a two-color herringbone, just take a few steps back from them and look at them. If they appear as one color from a few meters away, treat them as a solid color and match accordingly. A smaller or subtle pattern would allow you to have a busier jacket without messing up the whole look.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nataku View Post

This particular store has it's ups and downs, but more downs. I remember when they opened. It was a gold mine and nobody even knew it was there. Scored a ton of great stuff. Sadly, everyone in the state seems to know about it now. They net the most money out of all the metro area Goodwill stores. It's in a wealthy area and a lot of rich folks shop there and spend ridiculous amounts of money on stuff they could get on eBay for cheaper. I've seen stuff in the silent auction get double or triple eBay prices. Constantly see new Mercedes, BMWs, Lexus', etc in the parking lot. Hell, I saw a new-ish Austin Martin in the parking lot last month.
I've heard they have since hired full time workers to pick out the nice stuff and either set it aside to be repriced or for it to disappear completely to go to their boutique store. Seriously kills the "thrill of the hunt". Why hunt for treasure when there is no treasure? This store puts out far too much garbage for the area it's located in, so we all know something is up.
Also, this was the store that I spotted the manager literally inside a brand new Porsche SUV in the donation drive-through. All you could see were his ankles sticking out out back door. He'd carefully set aside boxes and bags in a far corner, not the regular big rolling bins. Never seen a manager handle donations before, ever. Always had the workers hired for that position to do that. He's since disappeared; haven't seen him in over a month. Wonder if he got canned.....

I'm okay with higher pricing as long as it doesn't top market value and as long as it is real merchandise. I have seen (and hate to see) fake items marked up in price. The thrifts here are dealing in a much smaller volume and some of the managers really know their stuff. If I am selling, I have to be careful as my profit margins can be thin. I still do it though as it's fun and a bit profitable. My main goal in thrifts is to shop for myself, so if I am paying a bit more for something nice, I'm fine with it as long as I wouldn't be able to find it cheaper new or online.
Quote:
Originally Posted by staxringold View Post


That's a great looking pullover and something you can definitely get some good use!
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post #52039 of 71022
11/1/12 at 3:01pm

Wow, that's insane.  Totally agreed on the "thrill of the hunt."  Some of us invest a lot of time in this (instead of money), but when the game is rigged and no treasure is to be found, there's no point.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nataku View Post


This particular store has it's ups and downs, but more downs. I remember when they opened. It was a gold mine and nobody even knew it was there. Scored a ton of great stuff. Sadly, everyone in the state seems to know about it now. They net the most money out of all the metro area Goodwill stores. It's in a wealthy area and a lot of rich folks shop there and spend ridiculous amounts of money on stuff they could get on eBay for cheaper. I've seen stuff in the silent auction get double or triple eBay prices. Constantly see new Mercedes, BMWs, Lexus', etc in the parking lot. Hell, I saw a new-ish Austin Martin in the parking lot last month.
I've heard they have since hired full time workers to pick out the nice stuff and either set it aside to be repriced or for it to disappear completely to go to their boutique store. Seriously kills the "thrill of the hunt". Why hunt for treasure when there is no treasure? This store puts out far too much garbage for the area it's located in, so we all know something is up.
Also, this was the store that I spotted the manager literally inside a brand new Porsche SUV in the donation drive-through. All you could see were his ankles sticking out out back door. He'd carefully set aside boxes and bags in a far corner, not the regular big rolling bins. Never seen a manager handle donations before, ever. Always had the workers hired for that position to do that. He's since disappeared; haven't seen him in over a month. Wonder if he got canned.....
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post #52040 of 71022
11/1/12 at 3:02pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by thriftydood View Post

Pants can be annoying to check for.  At some stores the pants are hung at the waist, and I pretty much always skip the pants when that's the case because it takes way too long to get through the pants when they are hung that way (they easily fall off as well).

Are you saying that they should be well-hung? rimshot.gif

I agree though, here I can go through them in a few minutes as there aren't a lot hanging. However, in the US, it was an incredible chore to get through them and I abandoned the project more than once as there was such a huge quantity. I did find a couple of great pairs though, including some PRL Corneliani cords and a pair of EZ by incotex wool trousers, both in my size.
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post #52041 of 71022
11/1/12 at 3:06pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by concealed View Post

 

personally, i have no qualms with thrifts charging ~ebay prices.  $50 on a shitty burberry is obviously excessive, but $20 isn't rediculous.  although this would obviously be bad for me, i don't think the stores should be obligated to offer all clothes for $6 a piece. obviously this scale pricing will never happen due to the sheer volume they deal with and the research required to appropriately price everything. 


Yeah, I dont have a problem with FOR-PROFIT Thrift Stores charging outrageous prices because its expected.

 

But Goodwill's image doesnt entitle them to the pricing they are trying to adapt. They arent a luxury resale shop and even their Boutique's have the good whit mixed in with counterfeit luxury brands and low-mid quality shit.

 

It'd be like going into JC Penney and seeing a pair of shoes for $300 when its generally known that they run around the $50 ballpark.

 

The people that are willing to spend $200 on a pair of shoes arent gonna buy them from JC Penney. Even if the brand/quality calls for it. Theyd rather walk into Macy's and buy it from them.

 

Its all about image and Goodwill just doesnt have it.

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post #52042 of 71022
11/1/12 at 3:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jpmorris View Post

Ok, first real thrift fit.
Wha...? Wha...?
Why you no look like your avatar?
Great pics! icon_gu_b_slayer[1].gif
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post #52043 of 71022
11/1/12 at 3:15pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HansderHund View Post

Update on my ridiculous coat. I am going to pass on the fox fur coat and get this instead: Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
It's a 50/50 cashmere/wool Aquascutum with some sort of legit fur collar. Pictures when it arrives.

 

Yes! I actually prefer this. Old school in a good way.
 

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post #52044 of 71022
11/1/12 at 3:24pm
Honestly, I have no problem paying semi-crazy (ie $300 for Cuccinelli or Hermes cashmere. Crazy, not bat-shit insane) prices if and only if I don't have to sort through crap. If I am going to pay eBay prices, I expect to find everything in the store to be clean and in good shape, the place to be well lit, and I shouldn't have to worry about my car in the parking lot. To put it another way, the potential for payoff has to be as good as the risk.

I better be finding $15 Briggs & Riley suitcases if I am risking finding cat turds or tampons in a bag.

Quote:
Originally Posted by HansderHund View Post

Update on my ridiculous coat. I am going to pass on the fox fur coat and get this instead: Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
It's a 50/50 cashmere/wool Aquascutum with some sort of legit fur collar. Pictures when it arrives.

That coat is seriously awesome. Bonus points if you wear it with a top hat.
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post #52045 of 71022
11/1/12 at 3:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamiebryant View Post


Morons.

I wonder how long that'll sit there.

I also wonder how long it'll be before they have to start hiring Loss Prevention and start spending a shitload of money to combat theft. This sort of pricing can only attract thieves and trust me, Thrift Stores are such an easy target.

GW here already does it. There are cameras everywhere--the store ceilings look like they should be in a casino. And that's with flat-rate pricing. Fortunately, none of those stupid plastic dealies that make holes in things.
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post #52046 of 71022
11/1/12 at 3:33pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by HansderHund View Post

Update on my ridiculous coat. I am going to pass on the fox fur coat and get this instead: Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)
It's a 50/50 cashmere/wool Aquascutum with some sort of legit fur collar. Pictures when it arrives.

Awesome DB overcoat, Ebay? I've been looking for a DB overcoat for ages, but sans fur collar.
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post #52047 of 71022
11/1/12 at 3:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by CesarC View Post

Yes! I actually prefer this. Old school in a good way.
 

I'm afraid I'm also going to have to carry an old school sawed off shotgun to maintain that image.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vintage Leather View Post

That coat is seriously awesome. Bonus points if you wear it with a top hat.

I don't own a top hat, but you never know when it comes to something like this. If I can create a need for a fur collared overcoat, surely I'm creative enough to justify a top hat.
Quote:
Originally Posted by guyver00 View Post

Awesome DB overcoat, Ebay? I've been looking for a DB overcoat for ages, but sans fur collar.

Etsy, actually. I probably need a tame overcoat, but I couldn't let this one get away...how often do they come along? Keep an eye out on eBay for overcoats, especially during the off seasons. Far fewer choices in spring/summer but unbelievable prices.
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post #52048 of 71022
11/1/12 at 3:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jamiebryant View Post


Yeah, I dont have a problem with FOR-PROFIT Thrift Stores charging outrageous prices because its expected.

But Goodwill's image doesnt entitle them to the pricing they are trying to adapt. They arent a luxury resale shop and even their Boutique's have the good whit mixed in with counterfeit luxury brands and low-mid quality shit.

It'd be like going into JC Penney and seeing a pair of shoes for $300 when its generally known that they run around the $50 ballpark.

The people that are willing to spend $200 on a pair of shoes arent gonna buy them from JC Penney. Even if the brand/quality calls for it. Theyd rather walk into Macy's and buy it from them.

Its all about image and Goodwill just doesnt have it.

So, you don't have a problem with a for-profit operation gouging or charging what something is worth, but if the proceeds are going to a good cause, that's a problem?

Don't know about the GW where you are, but you should be very careful when generalizing. GW in many communities, including the one where I live, does a lot of good. Employees, while not highly paid, get health insurance and benefits, including paid vacation. There's opportunity for advancement--I've seen cashiers/sorters move up to management. They have mentoring programs for at-risk youth. They have job-training programs for offenders no one else will hire. They employ the disabled. They'll give anyone a chance who is willing to work. They have programs to help folks pay utility and medical bills. They recycle stuff, including electronics and computer gear, for free that other places won't take or won't take without being paid. And their finances are transparent. As a 501(c)3, their tax statements to the IRS are public records available for free online, unlike the SA, which considers itself a church and so does not make its financials available to the public.

We've had this discussion before. GW's are independent chapters organized under a national umbrella, so YMMV. But don't go saying that GW has an image problem. That's just not true.
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post #52049 of 71022
11/1/12 at 3:47pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by potemkin_city_limits View Post

I was just thinking the same thing actually. Since they get everything for free you would think their main goal would be to get it sold as fast as possible to free up space for more new merchandise. Instead someone has decided that they don't like the idea of someone getting too much of a deal on something that was initially worth more money so it will sit there until someone comes along and decides they want it but wont pay $50 for it so they just rip the tag off, put it on and walk out of the store and now the Goodwill doesn't make anything on it.
They paid the same price for the Burberry shirt as they paid for their Old Navy shirts which is $0 so pricing them both at the exact same amount means they make the same amount of profit on them. It would make sense if their regular shirt price was $5 and they made that particular one cost $9 or something like that but asking $50 for it seems so ridiculous.

Why do you hate capitalism? Do you really think it is your God-given right to get something for nothing at GW? Now, I do that all the time, and I'm grateful for the chance, but I don't think that GW is under any obligation to sell stuff for a fraction of its worth. You and I and everyone else here profits because we have good taste and we invest the time and energy into figuring out what stuff is worth and combing racks. Very few people are willing to do that. And if GW does screw up and prices stuff at way more than it's worth, guess what? It won't sell. That's what makes America great. Maybe you should shop at the Moscow Goodwill.
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post #52050 of 71022
11/1/12 at 3:53pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vintage Leather View Post

Honestly, I have no problem paying semi-crazy (ie $300 for Cuccinelli or Hermes cashmere. Crazy, not bat-shit insane) prices if and only if I don't have to sort through crap. If I am going to pay eBay prices, I expect to find everything in the store to be clean and in good shape, the place to be well lit, and I shouldn't have to worry about my car in the parking lot. To put it another way, the potential for payoff has to be as good as the risk.
I better be finding $15 Briggs & Riley suitcases if I am risking finding cat turds or tampons in a bag.
That coat is seriously awesome. Bonus points if you wear it with a top hat.

 

I found one of these for 6.97, but I haven't be able to get much use out of it.

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