The Thrift Store Guru

Whether the economy is doing well or not, finding a good deal on something we want is always exciting. Thrift stores are the ultimate place to go when looking for great deals. Sally Walken, the ultimate thrift store guru, answers a few questions and reveals tips and tricks on how to spot deals when bargain hunting.

Q. What do you like about thrift stores?  

A. I try to be a thrifty person and I don’t mind hand-me-downs. Sometimes it just doesn’t make sense to buy something new when you could get a perfectly good item that has been used and it will save you lots of money. People give such good stuff away to thrift stores.

Q. What has been your greatest find?

A. The greatest find might have been the sofa I found for my daughter. We paid 50 dollars and it was in great condition. I did a little cleaning to the arms of the sofa with some upholstery cleaner and also washed the cushion covers. They came out looking almost new. My daughter used it for four years!

Q. Is there a certain time of day or day of the week that is best for finding things?

A. I think the best time to shop at thrift stores is later in the week. Late on Saturday or Monday morning (thrift stores are typically closed on Sundays) is usually not the best time because they’ve had the most business on Saturday. They have to stock up during the first of the week.

Q. What should a person know before going to a thrift store?  

A. They have to like old and used stuff and like to search through things.

Q. How does someone know if they’re getting a good deal on an item?  Is there a research process or is it just a gut feeling?

A. You have to know how much something might cost when it’s new so you can judge if it is a really good deal or not. Another factor is the condition of the item you find. Sometimes even thrift store items are priced too high.

Q. Do you have a favorite thrift store?

A. My favorite thrift store of all time is the Alabama Thrift Store in Alabaster, Alabama.

9. Do you believe in the saying, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure?”

A. Some people are impulsive buyers and buy things they think they need and then try it out and find they really never use it. Also, over the years people end up with too much stuff and then clean house. So, often times you can find something that you would like to try or really need and feel like it is a treasure to you.

10. Do certain items sell better than others?

A. It really just depends. If it is in good condition and a good price, usually someone will come along that wants it. If an item is in really bad shape, broken or really dirty, like old pots and pans, most likely no one would want it.

Posted by Patience