The Official Thrift / Discount Store Bragging Thread Part III (Sept 2018-)

[Letric]

Maybe my post comes off as too complainy lol. I deal with it and don't carry much anger towards most of the outfit and regular employees. I've made a decent living off of mostly Goodwill sourcing for years so I appreciate that the stores exist and serve a purpose in my life. I do find thrifting relaxing when I get into a store and just jam on the racks with headphones in.

I get it, it's their business and they maximize profits and etc. I find my workarounds and niches that they're not onto yet or don't care to ever be onto. I just wanted to explain how things work in this region, as it seems so different and relaxed in other parts of the country or for other store chains.

I also don't mean my posts to "fend off" my territory or come off like I don't want people here - I just want to give people a realistic snapshot of how things are done and give realistic expectations. If you hit some stores in PDX on a random day yeah you'll probably find a few things but it's not like the old days where Patagonia jackets, Arc'teryx, AE shoes etc. were a daily occurance. That's all.

Back to regular stuff. Found these while out of town.. Never seen this brand before but these 2 were sitting in a resale shop:

Good quality and I like the swan logo.

 

[Sartoriamo]

Following on the conversation about changes in the thrift marketplace, I did a lengthy post on that on the eBay thread a few days ago, but I don't think most of you spend much time there, so I'll chime in here briefly . . .

I've been constantly adjusting my approach as the windows of opportunity have started closing/changing in every direction. Always looking for the new angle.

Gone are the days of exiting a thrift with two heaping cartloads of CM, and gone also are the days when that had enough buyers for it, thanks to post-Covid "casualization". 15-20 years ago I sold $100K/yr of CM on the side while also working a high-level, demanding C-suite job. Can't do half that now. It's a race to the bottom. I just sold a Kiton shirt for $35. $35? FFS. Someone offered me $10 for a minty Eton. Feck the feck off. I'll drop it off at the local charity thrift and take the deduction rather than sell it to you for that, moron.

The staff at GW have a master list of every brand that gets diverted to shopgoodwill. "We want the money you're making", they have flat out told me. And they get bonused for selling the few retained "HQ rack" (high quality) items that end users pay through the nose for. So my thrifting and consignment shopping has been truncated to identifying pricing errors or sleuthing out niche brands not on the divert list. Slim pickins.

I should say here that I'm not a high-volume seller, just around 40 items a month and $4K. I have no interest in low-margin, high-volume as that's a different business model (and too punishing for my old bones, IMHO). That's why I maintain a $100 PPU sales average.

Smaller local thrifts are still a hair better, but most have switched to "resale boutique" pricing that squeezes my margins. Like all of you, I prefer flips like the 1999 Oakley X-metal Juliets thrifted for $4 that sold for $500 in an hour. I can't be in this business if I'm paying $39 for a suit I can flip for only $79. But some people can, I guess.

So, as I've posted before, I have moved more and more towards local live auctions where you have to be there to bid. Armchair bidders kill it on internet-enabled auctions. I had also started buying and flipping many more items of different types. Old, weird @Nataku -style stuff.

But now that's being killed by Google Lens. Noob flippers walk around the auction, Google Lensing everything, and routinely outbidding me because they have less stringent margin thresholds. Complete ignoramuses with an app. Gone are the days of having an actual seasoned knowledge base. Apple's new AI camera will be even more disruptive.

As @Letric said earlier, it has become progressively less sustainable as a full-time gig, so I'm going back to seeing patients, much as I loathe the confinement of those little rooms. I'll never stop thrifting, but for me, it will have to stay a part-time thing, as too many other people/businesses want the money I used to make, and are obviously happier with a LOT less than I need to support my lifestyle . . . C'est La Vie . . .

 

[sartorialism]

Real crocodile? $10 at GW

 

[Fueco]

One stop today, after fishing for a couple of hours.

 

[LaundryRoom]

A few recent finds...

AE Fifth Avenues, minty fresh

Napoli jacket (hunted, but couldn't find the trousers)

Hunted and found the trousers for this Canolli. Fits like it was tailored for me, I might keep it, although I don't really wear pinstripes...

 

[Centaurus3200]

Following on the conversation about changes in the thrift marketplace, I did a lengthy post on that on the eBay thread a few days ago, but I don't think most of you spend much time there, so I'll chime in here briefly . . .

I've been constantly adjusting my approach as the windows of opportunity have started closing/changing in every direction. Always looking for the new angle.

Gone are the days of exiting a thrift with two heaping cartloads of CM, and gone also are the days when that had enough buyers for it, thanks to post-Covid "casualization". 15-20 years ago I sold $100K/yr of CM on the side while also working a high-level, demanding C-suite job. Can't do half that now. It's a race to the bottom. I just sold a Kiton shirt for $35. $35? FFS. Someone offered me $10 for a minty Eton. Feck the feck off. I'll drop it off at the local charity thrift and take the deduction rather than sell it to you for that, moron.

The staff at GW have a master list of every brand that gets diverted to shopgoodwill. "We want the money you're making", they have flat out told me. And they get bonused for selling the few retained "HQ rack" (high quality) items that end users pay through the nose for. So my thrifting and consignment shopping has been truncated to identifying pricing errors or sleuthing out niche brands not on the divert list. Slim pickins.

I should say here that I'm not a high-volume seller, just around 40 items a month and $4K. I have no interest in low-margin, high-volume as that's a different business model (and too punishing for my old bones, IMHO). That's why I maintain a $100 PPU sales average.

Smaller local thrifts are still a hair better, but most have switched to "resale boutique" pricing that squeezes my margins. Like all of you, I prefer flips like the 1999 Oakley X-metal Juliets thrifted for $4 that sold for $500 in an hour. I can't be in this business if I'm paying $39 for a suit I can flip for only $79. But some people can, I guess.

So, as I've posted before, I have moved more and more towards local live auctions where you have to be there to bid. Armchair bidders kill it on internet-enabled auctions. I had also started buying and flipping many more items of different types. Old, weird @Nataku -style stuff.

But now that's being killed by Google Lens. Noob flippers walk around the auction, Google Lensing everything, and routinely outbidding me because they have less stringent margin thresholds. Complete ignoramuses with an app. Gone are the days of having an actual seasoned knowledge base. Apple's new AI camera will be even more disruptive.

As @Letric said earlier, it has become progressively less sustainable as a full-time gig, so I'm going back to seeing patients, much as I loathe the confinement of those little rooms. I'll never stop thrifting, but for me, it will have to stay a part-time thing, as too many other people/businesses want the money I used to make, and are obviously happier with a LOT less than I need to support my lifestyle . . . C'est La Vie . . .

you got me to reading the ebay thread.

WOW! sounds like selling on ebay is WORSE THAN EVER!?

my friend has been flipping some stuff for me on ebay for a commission. he doesn't mind assholes. i get too worked up over little things. seems like a match made in heaven.

i do have two Outlier NYC OG blazers and a bonnie cashin era pre creed coach bag. i'll lose my **** if someone plays games with those pieces.

i usually try to sell locally on marketplace or craigslist, but clothes don't move like electronics, sporting goods, bags, sunglasses etc.

are other platforms more fair to the sellers? etsy, poshmark, depop, vinted, mercari, etc?

 

[mistermidwester]

Was just measuring some pants to list and found this in the pocket.

Nice.

 

[Fueco]

Was just measuring some pants to list and found this in the pocket.

View attachment 2243711

Nice.

 

[SpecialK2k12]

A little bit of 14K, and some sterling, anyone recognize the marks (other than Denmark and 925S lol)?

 

[double00]

A little bit of 14K, and some sterling, anyone recognize the marks (other than Denmark and 925S lol)?

View attachment 2244119
View attachment 2244121


View attachment 2244123
View attachment 2244125

Hans Hansen

comp : https://www.1stdibs.com/jewelry/cuf...-silver-cufflinks-model-no-642/id-j_16071632/

 

[classicthrifter]

Slow going this past week but a few things:

Long tail but they always sell. Also I found out that Munsingwear was a MN brand, and one of their factories is a prominent complex still in use today (International Market Square).


$500 Retail for a sweater, what??


Copenhagen Zoo Poster marked 1971. Part of a series of similar advertising.



Not a Jere, but not left behind:


Anyone know anything about this one? Not sure if MC or MCM. It almost seems like a transitional piece. Old but nearly all metal like a cheaper version of the real thing.

 

[Centaurus3200]

Was just measuring some pants to list and found this in the pocket.

View attachment 2243711

Nice.

69!

 

[tonylamerCJC]

Following on the conversation about changes in the thrift marketplace, I did a lengthy post on that on the eBay thread a few days ago, but I don't think most of you spend much time there, so I'll chime in here briefly . . .

Everything you've written is accurate. Lately I've been looking for vintage tweed sportcoats to wear in the fall and winter. I'm 90 minutes north of Toronto and I have to wear a jacket and tie to work. I like the styling of sack jackets from the '60s. They're also often custom pieces that are canvassed and tailored by guys who knew their trade.

I can buy them for $40-$50. I can buy a vintage PRL wool tie for $15. I can buy a camel overcoat for $75. It's nuts.

If you're not into vintage, current Samuelsohn and Zegna suits and jackets are $75-$100.

I still see big asking prices on Alden shell boots and shoes and really hard-to-find things like La Vera suits. I don't expect those ever to be cheap. But deflation in most of the CM market is permanent. Prices will never come back--in my opinion.

 

[eazye]

Well boys, despite all the talk the past few days, small thriftenings are still possible. Deets shortly.

 

[Rumpelstiltskin]

Was just measuring some pants to list and found this in the pocket.

Nice.