My first attempt at thrift store hunting

[WhiteTornado]

Had some time at lunch and decided to hit a local Goodwill. Primary focus going in was watches, or even gold/silver jewelry not marked as such. Turns out all watches and jewelry were inside of a case in front next to the register, and the counter space was small to begin with, basically smack-dab in the middle of "traffic lanes" of shoppers entering and exiting the checkout area. Not really conducive to browsing. I decided to check out some other types of items first.

Took a quick browse through the artwork, but that isn't an area I'm real familiar with. I did see a 1991 Pittsburgh Pirates NL East Champions plaque, looked kind of cool, had a team photo and some wording on it. Marked at $25, though, it wasn't a bargain to me.

Decided to look at the books, in case there was anything obscure most people wouldn't care about, like books about metal detecting . But, it looks like there was no rhyme or reason to the order and I didn't have the time or patience to wade through it all.

Finally decided to take a closer look at the watches in the cases. There were no bags of watches, all were individually marked. Just to make an effort, I did ask to see a couple of watches when there was a break in the traffic. One had been upside down in the case, and it turned out to be some junk brand. The other was a Perry Ellis watch marked at 8 bucks, didn't seem worth it. I later looked up eBay sold prices of PE watches to confirm.

Guess I need to find another place!

 

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[deserdog]

The thing about thrift stores is you have to be patient. They put new stuff out every day, often several times a day. Mnay times I find nothing at a thrift store, but then the next trip I will get a bunch of stuff.

 

[WhiteTornado]

The thing about thrift stores is you have to be patient. They put new stuff out every day, often several times a day. Mnay times I find nothing at a thrift store, but then the next trip I will get a bunch of stuff.

That's what I am figuring. I'm sure I will go back to this store sometime, but only once in a while. It was pretty busy in there today. Maybe it would be easier with less foot traffic.

 

[Beans]

TS are hit and miss. Have to remember that people are donating what they do not want. Very seldom will someone donate something of value. Don't let the traffic flow stop you from looking, I have seen people block the jewelry counter with shopping carts until they are do looking.

 

[artslinger]

Always keep this time tested (by me) words of wisdom....Faith, Hope, and Great Expectations, like the American Express Card, never leave home without them! Additionally, always remember the law of averages, the more times you go, the better the chances of scoring! My game plan every Saturday morning is to hit my local swap meet, (530am-6am) then garage sale hunt, and in-between thrift stores and pawn shops! Mon-Frid I do thrift stores and pawn shops! You definitely have to love to do this, or else it will become too much of an inconvenience driving, searching, hunting, from so early until about 1pm. :-) Finally, never, never, never give up! All the best to you, and good luck!

RJA

 

[austin]

Be patient, go slow and don't be surprised at the stuff you missed before. I have given a great deal to Goodwill, just to reduce my stuff. Electronics, expensive cigar materials like Dunhill lighters, Daniel Marshall humidors(2) Davidoff cutters(Dr. made me quit), golf clubs, bags, shoes(Foot Joy Classics)(Dr. said no mas), electronics, cowboy boots(Dr. said no more). Well, you get the idea. I have seen some high dollar stuff in those stores. Remember too, that lots of folks, when a relative passes away, cleans out the house and donates everything. I did that after my parents died. So go slow, find treasure and have fun.

 

[JimDon]

Persistence, knowledge, eye and luck!

 

[WhiteTornado]

Appreciate everyone's encouragement and tips. I'll occasionally go into a thrift shop, not sure I'll be doing it regularly. But at least I know more of what to look for, thanks to the good folks here.

 

[TunnelRat]

Austin is correct. You can occasionally find great deals if you look. I picked up a 3 piece military sleeping bag system that I have seen sell for as much as $150 new and I only paid $5 for it. It looks like it might have been uses a few times but maybe not even that much.

 

[Baja]

Keep at it WT, I have also found some great items at the Goodwill. The 50% off Saturdays are a bit insane with the crowds, midweek seems to be the time to find the good stuff when it's not so busy.

 

[randazzo1]

For what it's worth -- my advice is to go often and buy anything that strikes your fancy and is cheap. You'll get a lot of junk you have to donate back or dump at a flea/ garage sale. In a few weeks you'll make discoveries you'll be teaching us about.

 

[dieselram94]

I have noticed one thing about books. If it's in good shape, has a nonfiction obscure topic, and a uncommon book it can sell for GOOD money!


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[Red James Cash]

Also dont waste your time and money on things advertised as collectible or limited edition,collectible theyre not,millions were made its an advertising gimmick.Samething with limited addition.

 

[dieselram94]

Another good rule...just because it's shines doesn't mean it has value!!!!!


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[groovydig]

There was a time when you could be assured of a find or two with a trip to Goodwill; that was before "Antiques Roadshow" "Storage Wars" etc., etc. Thrift stores--especially Goodwill--caught on and now, anything of perceived value is set aside and checked out. That being said, things will always slip by. Persistence, persistence--go often!! And be prepared to start seeing some of the same faces--there are others doing the exact same thing. My best thrift store finds were from independent thrift stores--churches, charities, etc. One of my more memorable finds at such a place was a group of old Lesney die-cast (early Hot Wheels) cars in their boxes, mint condition. I think there were 15 total...they were priced at 25 cents apiece, but since I bought them all, they let me have the lot for $2. After eBay took their cut, I ended up with about $1200. **And here is what gets you access/"preferred status"**!!! I took $500 of it and donated it to the charity.....don't be greedy!!

 

[groovydig]

"Limited Edition" simply means it's limited only as to how many they can sell!!

Another good rule...just because it's shines doesn't mean it has value!!!!!


Sent from a spun out toilet paper tube (one ply)!

 

[Red James Cash]

Ive found some good stuff in thrift stores,one of my best ones is a piece of 1726 delftware.Its the right place right time kind of thing unless you get to know the owner and get to know the operation.

 

[Garrett424]

I think I went in the same store if that's the newer on on Rt. 40 in EC.

I was looking at the jewelry and they had a silver necklace in there (under the glass). Unfortunately they were asking 200 bucks. Not a bargain in my book.
I've dug up WAY more silver than was in that necklace for free.

The Goodwill stores have really gone up on their prices in the last few years. they also really keep the good jewelry and silver ware off of the shelves. It didn't used to be that way.

 

[fmerg]

The good will stores now have people who check out everything to the max
the best ts are the ones run by food pantry's and churches

 

[Beachkid23]

What I tell everybody starting out is to find your niche. Something that you are comfortable with that you know something about them. if you do some research you will know a lot about. And then build from there. I don't know how familiar you are with stuff in general but I started off with baseball cards. I didn't buy any though I sold ones I collected as a kid. Then I sold off stuff that I was given or I inherited. Stuff I had around the house and I didn't need anymore. Hallmark ornaments that my mom gave me hundreds of growing up. That my kids think are cool but I'd rather have 10 or $15 for them instead of sitting in the attic.

Go find your wife or brothers old iPhone. Sell that thing make $50 or so. Ask your neighbor if they have anything in the garage or you're looking to collect, something and see what they come up with. Or if any family members have anything. All the stuff they give you your not looking to make a fortune off of it. You're gonna take it, you're going to learn about it. You'll learn that when you walking to the thrift store and you see a blender that you're look for this type a blender versus that type a blender.

Have your friends or your family ask their friends if they have anything that you can sell for them. Then make a commission off of it. You're not gonna become a millionaire but you're going to learn. You're going to get started and it's not gonna cost you anything. It sucks when you buy stuff that you have a feeling it's worth something and you get home and it's worth less than what you pay for it or at best what you paid for it. But I love asking people. I love walking into their houses and looking at their stuff even if I never buy it. And I love sitting down with someone in learning about something they have so I can use that as future knowledge when I go somewhere else.

They say you have $20,000 worth of stuff to sitting around your house. Go to a family members house and look at their $20,000 worth of stuff. And then go to the next guys. It's helpful. Just some food for the brain. Have a good night!!