Shopping at a thrift store is just the first step to getting some major bargains. There are a couple of tricks to know to make sure that you walk away with the best merchandise for the least price.
Use the colors to your advantage
At the Goodwill, clothing is given a colored tag or plastic strip when it comes in the door and is put out onto the floor. There is a different color for each week, and the colors rotate. When it is time for the color to come up again, any merchandise that is already on the floor with that color get discounted by 50 percent. Concentrate on that week’s color and you’ll get the best deals.
Shop off season
While off season clothes won’t necessarily be less expensive, they will be less picked over. Most people head to the racks that contain that seasons clothing or the season that is coming up. At the same time, the donations that come in are usually items from the previous season that kids have outgrown or that have been cleaned out from people’s closets. So shopping off season will generally get you the best selection and up your chances of finding some real gems.
Find a Goodwill bargain store
The Goodwill bargain or thrift stores (yes, even thrift stores have thrift stores) will offer a lot of deep discounts, especially on clothing. When items have been in the regular store too long without selling, they get sent to the bargain store. Clothing is priced at 75 cents and winter jackets at $1. Among the treasures I found Friday were a heavy L.L. Bean winter coat ($1), Ann Taylor dress pants new with tags ($1), Eddie Bauer Jeans ($.75), Old Navy shorts ($.75) and The Children’s Place girls winter coat ($1).
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