National Thrift Shop Day

Today is National Thrift Shop Day! We’re cruising around Denver with the stereo on, listening to a little “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – what could be better?!

Six tips to make your thrift shop adventure a magical one:

1. Set your budget before shopping: You might assume there’s no way you can overspend or splurge in a thrift or consignment shop, but as you might already know, even dollar store purchases can add up quickly. So set your budget before leaving the house and decide how many items you really want before heading out the door.

2. Thrift Store Reviews: Most thrift stores are good a keeping their prices relatively low, but if you begin to see the cost of items compare to those you can buy brand new from a retailer, you’re in the wrong store. This can be particularly tricky in consignment shops that sell designer items and luxury goods. To avoid falling into an overprice trap, check prices online with a smartphone while you’re browsing the store.

3. Try It: Most thrift and consignment shops have dressing rooms – use them – many shops have a no-return policy. Also, check thoroughly for rips, stains or other defects. The last thing you want to do is throw money away when you’re on a mission to save.

4. Test It: If you look around a thrift shop, you’ll typically see plugs (particularly near electronics) that allow you to perform your own tests before purchasing. Be sure to test these items. While many stores guarantee their electronics work, others sell them as-is.

5. Discount Days: Some thrift shops offer discount days that allow customers to take a certain percentage off of already affordable items. Find out when the discount days are, then pay a visit to those shops early to beat the crowds.

6. Return Visits: Thrift stores receive donations on a regular basis, so you’ll want to visit often to catch great deals.

NARTS: “With an increasing awareness of the importance of reducing pointless waste, we are progressing from a disposable society to a recycling society—a change that has enormous market potential for the resale industry as a whole. After all, “Resale is the ultimate in recycling!”