TheNeedMachine
Distinguished Member
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- May 31, 2012
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Ok, so where do you guys get your bargains from? I fear there's just a different mentality in the US which makes it much easier to find things. We have a few small-ish second-hand stores (that's a thrift store, right?), but they either sell crap or focus on high-end couture and therefore know how to price. What about flea market and such?
I get my bargains from thrift stores, which are second-hand stores and insofar as clothing goes the vast majority in The States have not (yet) caught on that they occasionally have some valuable offerings. Many have volunteer experts who evaluate something the staff puts aside as it "might be something" but most have not started doing this with clothing...and again I say "yet". Sheer volume prevents them from doing so, I think, and hope they have the mindset of "an occasional treasure will keep them coming back". We have other second-hand stores - consignment shops and the like but I have yet to step foot in one. A few chain stores that sell new items with big markdowns for odd sized items that didn't sell in-season (usually very big or very small sizes), and with patience one may find something. Auctions, estate sales, an infrequent moving sale. I've been meaning to check out church bazaars in affluent areas, just to see what they might have - lots of upper class religious folks in my area. Craigslist for non-clothing items - too many counterfeits on CL for clothes. I go to the flea market only when I need bungee cords, a blunt hatchet, zip-ties, or a fake Movado that shows the correct time twice a day.