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Thrifters: when do you go?

Tyrone MacStiophain

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I only ever stop by Goodwill or Value Village if I'm in the neighborhood and have a few minutes. However, I'm sure there are better times to look - after shipments come in, before they've been stripped clean. Anyone have hints? Bonus gratitude to info for the Seattle area!
 

mk.ultra

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Originally Posted by Tyrone MacStiophain
I only ever stop by Goodwill or Value Village if I'm in the neighborhood and have a few minutes. However, I'm sure there are better times to look - after shipments come in, before they've been stripped clean. Anyone have hints? Bonus gratitude to info for the Seattle area!
You need to dedicate more than a few minutes. I'm usually in a store for 1-2 hours depending how good it is. I just go when I have free time, which isn't too often. Goodwill is almost always working on putting stuff out. Source: Used to work at Goodwill.
 

Tyrone MacStiophain

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Agreed! I always think I'm going to just be a few minutes, but it does always take a chunk of time to sift through things. Thanks for the response!
 

Poindexter

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I asked a girl who checks out at Saver's this question, and she said, 'There is no better time. We put stuff out all day, and the flippers, a lot of them come in several times a day.'

Luck o' de draw, man.

Poinz
 

andrew96

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These's no best time, you just have to get lucky. I don't take quite that long. I look carefully through the jackets, then shirts, then shoes, I quickly look through the ties,belts and I don't look at the pants. I'm not a fan of other people's pants.
 

amadar

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Originally Posted by andrew96
These's no best time, you just have to get lucky. I don't take quite that long. I look carefully through the jackets, then shirts, then shoes, I quickly look through the ties,belts and I don't look at the pants. I'm not a fan of other people's pants.

+1. My routine exactly. To hell with other peoples' pee-soaked leftovers.
 

RedRaider

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I will say I seem to enjoy weekdays, especially during lunch or right after work - there are a ton less people there and I find I am able to really take my time.

Most thrift stores don't have a set schedule to put out new stuff, at least the ones where I am don't. I've seen employees come out with four or five racks of new clothes when I am there and other times I don't see any employees putting out new stuff - the key is to go often and look over everything. Thrift stores are disorganized by nature IMO - thus I look in every size section and every bin in and around certain areas.
 

gdwy89

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Originally Posted by Poindexter
I asked a girl who checks out at Saver's this question, and she said, 'There is no better time. We put stuff out all day, and the flippers, a lot of them come in several times a day.'

Luck o' de draw, man.

Poinz


Right idea, but I think the wrong generalization. Stores can vary from location to location so my advice would be to ask. You may get an answer like Poindexter's or you may hear something different.

I like to go in the middle of the week. Gives the employees an opportunity to replenish the stock from the weekend rush. Also my Goodwill has a 20% off everything sale (not already marked with the week's 50% off tag) on Wednesdays for students, seniors, and servicemen.
 

Nataku

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Originally Posted by RedRaider
I will say I seem to enjoy weekdays, especially during lunch or right after work - there are a ton less people there and I find I am able to really take my time.

Really? I find it quite the opposite. Lunch time and after work is the worst time to go during the week because it seems everyone and their brother is there.
 

Knucklehead

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I've heard people say the morning is better because thats when people who own vintage shops/more expensive consignment shops tend to come in. Not sure if thats true.
 

RedRaider

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Originally Posted by Nataku
Really? I find it quite the opposite. Lunch time and after work is the worst time to go during the week because it seems everyone and their brother is there.

Ah yes, I agree with you. I should have said it is better than the weekends - any weekday at any time is better than the weekends.
 

Harold falcon

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Lately I've been going Saturday afternoons, because that's the only time convenient for me. Fortunately, there is an awesome French bakery and coffee shop right down the block, so I get a coffee and browse for an hour.
 

Larson McCord

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We probably need a thread on thrifting rules in general. A few of mine:

if it says 'bespoke' on the tag....it's not

Made in Italy isn't a synonym for 'it's good and/or well made'

Savile Row the brand has nothing to do with the tailors we hear so much about.

If you see Macy's on the tag you can pretty much keep moving.

Spend lots of time looking at the thrift thread and the suit hierarchy thread prior to spending a lot of money thrifting. Many of us (me included) make a lot of **** purchased because we don't know anything. Oh, and do things like passing Oxxford suits because who misspells Oxford? I really thought it was an off brand when I first got started. This is the number one rule for anyone getting started!

Higher end thrift stores that charge $100 for a Nautica suit don't know a lot of high end brands. I have gotten $6 Samuelsohn's in a store with that $100 Nautica because it's relatively rare and normal people have no idea about it.

As stated frequently, 99% of stuff in the thrifts are total garbage, that's why they are there. Most days you won't find good stuff. If you want to build a wardrobe you have to spend time looking and at several stores.

Any others?
 

MyOtherLife

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This threak is a crime against yourselves. Loose lips sink ships. I would have thought you wise enough to protect your secrets.
blush.gif
 

Tyrone MacStiophain

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Originally Posted by Larson McCord
We probably need a thread on thrifting rules in general. A few of mine:

if it says 'bespoke' on the tag....it's not

Made in Italy isn't a synonym for 'it's good and/or well made'

Savile Row the brand has nothing to do with the tailors we hear so much about.

If you see Macy's on the tag you can pretty much keep moving.

Spend lots of time looking at the thrift thread and the suit hierarchy thread prior to spending a lot of money thrifting. Many of us (me included) make a lot of **** purchased because we don't know anything. Oh, and do things like passing Oxxford suits because who misspells Oxford? I really thought it was an off brand when I first got started. This is the number one rule for anyone getting started!

Higher end thrift stores that charge $100 for a Nautica suit don't know a lot of high end brands. I have gotten $6 Samuelsohn's in a store with that $100 Nautica because it's relatively rare and normal people have no idea about it.

As stated frequently, 99% of stuff in the thrifts are total garbage, that's why they are there. Most days you won't find good stuff. If you want to build a wardrobe you have to spend time looking and at several stores.

Any others?



Excellent!
 

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