Confessions of a thrift-store shopper
I am thrifty. I’m not cheap. Let me explain the difference.
A thrifty shopper is someone who stretches a dollar by hunting down great deals without compromising on quality, design or craftsmanship.
A cheapskate, in my opinion, is fixated on price — and only price — and will buy even the most poorly made product to save a few bucks.
That’s the beauty of second-hand stores. They can satisfy both types of shoppers by offering top-brand clothing, footwear and housewares at bargain-basement prices.
My love affair with thrift shops started as a necessity when I was a cash-strapped teen with a penchant for shoes and funky fashion. One of my favourite haunts was the now defunct Army Surplus on Industrial Avenue where I bought cargo pants, walking shorts, military jackets and button-up sweaters in every possible shade of khaki.
As a mother of four boys, buying second-hand clothes has just made practical sense, especially during the rough-and-tumble years when grass stains and ripped knees defined my sons’ style.
I could never rationalize spending big dollars on expensive jeans and sweatshirts for my brood, when in all likelihood, they’d outgrow them in months.
Buying second-hand toys, puzzles and books was also economical because I could buy more for less. The GT Racers I picked up for $15 at Saint Vincent de Paul remain one of my biggest coups.
I’m still a regular at Goodwill and Value Village because I love the thrill of the hunt. It takes the same determination, patience and time as digging through the jammed racks at Winners except the clothes are used and cost a fraction of the original retail price.
As a bonus, you’re helping a variety of charities while recycling and saving money. It’s a win-win-win.
Yet there are many people — friends included — who think that clothes sold at second-hand stores are smelly, worn or outdated. They wouldn’t be caught dead in a thrift shop, mostly out of fear that one of their friends or neighbours would see them. To that I say, “Your loss.”
Over the years, I have found incredible deals on skirts, blazers, costume jewelry and even shoes from top designers including Jones New York, Liz Claiborne, Tommy Hilfiger and Josef Seibel.
Wide wooden bracelet, $2.50 at Goodwill, orange bracelet, $2.99 at Value Village and beaded necklace, $1.99 at Value Village.
For the boys, I’ve bought many pairs of used Levis and Dockers in mint shape and nearly-new hoodies, dress shirts and cosy pullovers from Reebok, Mexx, Gap, Hollister and American Eagle.
Once laundered, ironed or dry-cleaned, you’d never know I paid as little as $2.75 for them.
That’s thriftiness at its finest.
Best part is if we tire of the clothing after one season, outgrow them or fads change, there’s not a lot of money on the line. I simply bag them up and drop them off at a second-hand store to be recycled again.
I check out the consignment shops when I can. A few weeks ago I needed a pair of black pants and found a pair that fit (a miracle in itself) quite nicely.They
were 1/2 off, so $15 +tax. Got them home and found out they were Theory brand which I would never be able to afford. I love them! My biggest catch of the
year! I agree completely about the kids – had 2 boys of my own – had to haunt St Vincent, garage sales, school sales – it was the days before Value Village
was in town.
S
I`m a thrift store shopper because I am a collector, and just about everything that I want is not available in regular stores. Wallmart may be cheap but they will never stock on the things that I buy. Shopping is always a hunt cause the thrift stores market is very small and there is a lot of competition for collectibles.