Thrifting is a wonderful thing and has many beneficial features. It allows you to buy things at a discounted price, curate your home with unique items that you literally can’t find anywhere else (especially if they’re antique), and shopping secondhand is more sustainable. It’s also no secret that thrifting, or secondhand shopping has soared in popularity over the past few years and is no longer a hidden gem. Whatever the reason you shop, sometimes it can be frustrating when you feel as though you go to a store and can never find what you’re looking for. Here are several reasons that you feel unsuccessful at the thrift store, and what you can to get the most bang out of your buck.

1. Not going often (and at different times of the day)

This is the tip I have found to be the most helpful. Because a thrift store’s inventory is mostly based on what comes in through donations, you never know what you’ll find. The store constantly looks different, and is one of my favorite things about thrifting. Going often also allows you to discover all sorts of good things that you might have missed the first time around. If you go to the same thrift store over and over again, it can help you view all the inventory without having to dig through piles on the floor. You can more easily recognize new pieces, and you’ll start to get an idea as to what sells quickly so you know to snatch it up when you find it on the shelf.

In addition to going often, you should also try going during different times of the day. The really hardcore thrifters tend to go at the same time every day, and can get to items that you might want to buy. Consider going during “off times” like in the late morning (right before lunch) or in the early afternoon (before people get off from work. These slow hours sometimes allow employees to spend more time stocking the shelves helping you have more new items available to buy. Find out when your local stores put out their new items, asking an employee when the best time to come by is the best place to start.

2. Not having a plan

Depending on the type of thrifter you are, it can be tempting to snatch every pretty basket, plate, or dress off the rack that you see. Like I’ve already mentioned, this stuff is literally a once-in-a-lifetime find. It might not be back again. But, going to the store without a plan means you spend more money on stuff you don’t need, or pass up on a great piece because you’ve forgotten that you wanted it! Having a plan can be your best friend when going to the thrift store. Know what you want, the price range of how much you want to spend, and where in your house you want to put it. Keep in mind that when you see something you really want, you’ll need to have somewhere to put it and have some way to pay for it.

Try keeping a running list of items you’re looking for on your phone or in your car. When you see something you like, make sure you have at least some kind of plan on where to put it! No matter how beautiful the piece may be, if it’s stuck on a cluttered shelf, its beauty will fade. Some of the things that are always on my list are kids clothes for the next size & season, baskets, clothing for myself, and home decor items that could replace my current decor.

3. Not being picky about what you buy

The overall splendor of a thrift store and that scarcity mentality can lure shoppers into buying low quality items.
I have made this mistake many times when buying baskets in particular. Not checking the quality of the item before leaving the store has led to my toddler breaking many baskets while dragging around or sitting in the baskets I’ve put her toys in.
If you’re thrifting, you’re probably looking for a good deal, or a unique piece. You don’t want to buy something that’s going to fall apart the first time you use it. Check the quality of the item. If it’s a tool you’ll use a lot like a coffee mug, look for chips or cracks. Please, don’t buy it without checking! Most thrift stores don’t have a return policy, and you want to invest in quality, not junk. If it’s a piece of clothing, does it have stains, tears, or stretched out places? Make sure it’s actually what you want before you check out.

4. Not being open to new styles & sizes

With such a range of goodies at the thrift store, sometimes it can be hard to find exactly what you’re looking for. Especially when it’s an item of clothing, it can sometimes feel as though they never have your size! I have learned that sometimes the best items are actually hidden gems! Things get misplaced, moved around, or just stocked in the wrong section. Some of the best clothing items I have found for myself and my kids were actually in the totally wrong section. The other day I was in my favorite thrift store and saw a whole section of mens jeans in the baby section. Of course, this was more obvious than some other misplaced items because of the large size difference, but this is a common occurrence. Check in random places, be sure and check all the sizes for your style. You never know what you might find.

5. Not having a budget

If you’re a regular thrifter, you probably are hunting for a good deal. Don’t waste all your hard work digging by picking something that is out of your budget. Do your research before you go. Check what other thrift stores mark their items for and keep that median price in mind as you set off on your next thrifting adventure. Also check online to see what that item sells for at a new price. I have often found that some places will mark their items at a similar (and sometimes higher) price to try and get the most money possible.
As a Christian, I believe that God gives us all of our resources, especially financial ones. Be good stewards of your finances, don’t be weighed down by too many unnecessary purchases. It is not only a waste of your hard-earned money, but it’s also more things in your house that you have to manage. It is possible to be content with the things you have, while keeping an eye out for that perfect new-to-you bread pan for your sourdough sandwich bread. Own your things, don’t let them own you.

“6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and[a] we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.”
1 Timothy 6:6-8 ESV

Happy thrifting!