Buying Clothes at Thrift Shops
@princess07031980 (5412)
United States
August 11, 2009 10:30am CST
I am on a very tight busget and I have 3 children, so I cannot afford to buy clothes very often. I am lucky to recieve hand-me-downs on occasion, but it is by no means something I can count on always. I used to buy most of my kids' clothes from either Wal-Mart, K-Mart, or an outlet store called Ross, but even the cheap clothes add up! Ross has some very good brands at very reasonable costs, but often times the clothes are picked over and sometimes when I go, I really can't find things that would fit my children or things they would particularly like. I have become absolutely disgusted with Wal-Mart's line of clothing-they carry the cheapest made clothing ever, as they constantly fall apart. K-Mart is expensive unless you scan the clearance racks......
So with this I decided to check out a big thrift store last spring, seeing what I could find for my kids. I was amazed! I have been back several times, and have come home with many "like new" outfits of great brands like GAP, The Children's Place, LL Bean, Old Navy, and others. And the average price is about $3 a pop! I think my children dress BETTER when I shop at thrift stores. I don't mind at all that they are used, because obviously I am very selective when I decide what to buy-I check for tears and stains, which the stores I shop at are throroughly checked over by the workers at the store anyway, I have never even seen clothing that is not at least in good condition, if not excellent. When I go shopping, I can often times come home with a bag nearly the size of a garbage bag full of clothes for all 3 of my kids and spend maybe at most $60. Seriously, that bag has at least 4 outfits for each kid!
1 person likes this
6 responses
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
12 Aug 09
Hello princess, for fifty years I have donated my old clothes to charities like the Savvos. My secondhand clothed were still in very good condition, suits and shirts that I wore to work, and maybe replaced them after two or three years. Now, I'm trying to support my wife and I on a single pension, so now we're buying from the charities that I supported for so long. You're right about the quality, if you look closely, you'll find good stuff cheap. My wife loves those stores now.
@princess07031980 (5412)
• United States
12 Aug 09
I rarely even go to otther clothing stores anymore, as I have been more impressed with the clothing and quality I can find at thirft stores than most any other store. I still do buy my children new clothes for their birthdays and Christmas though-I have something against giving used stuff as gifts. (Unless it would be a cool piece to a collection or something, and something I would not be able to buy at a store.)
1 person likes this
@princess07031980 (5412)
• United States
13 Aug 09
Some thrift stores may have volunteers, but I know a few around here that are paid jobs. Regardless, the idea behind what many of the purchases income generate do support charities-such as for hospice type organizations, women's crisis centers, etc. Some are privately owned and those people are able to keep the profits earned. (My friend's mom owns one here in town.)
@mipen2006 (5528)
• Australia
12 Aug 09
What makes it even better is the fact that we are helping the needy, as the money goes to charity. I think the workers are volunteers, which means nearly all the mones goes to a worthwhile cause.
@kykidd (6812)
• United States
13 Aug 09
I used to frequent the second hand stores or consignment shops, if you will. They always seemed to have a lot better clothing than the Goodwill, and it was cheaper and better than any of the department stores. That was when I worked at the bank. I had a very small salary, in comparison to the dress code that I was required to adhere to.
Nowadays, I don't think that banks are so particular. Or maybe I was just more particular back then.
I do however think that the lady who had put my purchases on consignment also worked at the bank. It was a huge bank, and I didn't really know her, except by face and dress. She would always smile at me when I walked in wearing one of those second hand suits. LOL
@princess07031980 (5412)
• United States
14 Aug 09
I have a favorite thrift shop about an hour away from here-it's huge! And there are racks and racks of clothing-GOOD clothing, that takes some time to go through, but i have never left without a full bag of cloths, something for everyone in my family. I can't afford to spend a lot of money, but I have realized that the quailty and brands I find are so much better than having to pinch pennies for the shot quality at Wal-Mart.
@smileonstar (4007)
• United States
11 Aug 09
Hello,
I love to shop there... sometimes I find something that is cheap and good. Most of my children clothes from thrift store... I dont care if it has been used. I just make sure they rewash them again once I buy them.
@KarissaAngel (362)
• United States
16 Aug 09
I actually like going to thrift stores to shop, I have a favorite one not far from my apartment and they have a variety of things.
I change my mind to much with clothes. I buy something and maybe after a month I am tired of it. So between paying $30 compared to $3-5, I would rather pay the later. And of course I will re-wash and use fabric softener.
Department stores I like Kohl's and Macy's, but then again I only shop the clearance rack and they have got to have some good mark downs.
I also agree with you on WalMart. I use to shop for clothes there but the last time I was in there to see what they had, I could not believe the quality also. Not sure what happened there, but it has kind of shy'd me away from shopping there.
But all in all, Princess, you keep up the good work.
@princess07031980 (5412)
• United States
22 Sep 09
Um, thank you, although I don't understand why you are praising me so much. (**Blushes**) LOL But thank you, that was very nice of you to say that.
@puccagirl (7294)
• Israel
23 Jun 10
Oh, of course! Thrift shops are great, and you can find such amazing bargains there! You would not believe the stuff I have found for myself in these stores. I don't even have kids, and I still pop into thrift shops every once in a while, for myself, and I think I would definitely do it if I had kids as well!
