How To Shop Frugally at Thrift Stores Despite Rising Prices
Many consumers choose to shop at thrift stores instead of traditional retailers, and in recent years thrifting has grown in popularity. Largely due to Gen Z, thrift stores are now part of a $14.4 billion industry and, according to online resale company ThredUp, this could grow to $37 billion by 2027.
Shoppers choose to shop resale for many reasons, one of them being the opportunity to buy good-quality items for a fraction of the retail price. However, thrifting has gained some criticism as thrift store prices have increased in recent years.
Read Next: 6 Best Expensive-Looking Things You Can Buy at Big Lots
Try This: How To Get $340 Per Year in Cash Back on Gas and Other Things You Already Buy
The increasing costs of thrifting have coincided with the increase in thrifting’s popularity, and ultimately there are several reasons as to why prices have been going up. Fortunately, there are still ways to find great bargains.
Why Are Thrift Store Prices Increasing?
According to Laura Pucker, founder and CEO of Pucker Up Beauty, understanding why thrift store prices are going up can help shoppers make wiser shopping decisions. Similar to other businesses, thrift stores are raising prices to keep up with expenses, such as renting a space and paying employees. Additionally, Pucker said the rising popularity of thrifting has caused prices to go up.
“Thrifting has become more popular, changing from its previous image; now it’s fashionable,” Pucker said. “This brings in more customers, which causes the prices to go up. Because lots of individuals are interested in being eco-friendly these days, they look for good second-hand items, so shops raise their prices because of this demand.”
Furthermore, thrift stores have raised their prices due to the increased popularity of online resale platforms such as ThredUp and Depop. However, according to Shop LC senior editor Darren Bogus, immediately blaming increasing thrift prices on resellers isn’t the most accurate take.
“Stores realize they can increase their profits by selling branded items for a higher margin,” Bogus said. “They know that shoppers of all stripes are coming in to discover valuable vintage items.”
Find Out: The Single Best Deal for Your Money at BJ’s Wholesale Club in April
How To Save Money While Thrifting
Despite increasing prices of second-hand items, experts say there are several tips and tricks to keep in mind while thrifting to make sure you can still save money.
Explore Different Neighborhoods
Sometimes it’s best to venture out beyond your local thrift stores if you want to find good deals.
“I often discover the best items in stores located in less busy places,” Pucker said. “These shops have fewer customers walking by, so their prices tend to be lower. It’s worth the extra drive to pay less.”
Know the Best Times To Shop
To ensure you save money while shopping at thrift stores, it’s good to know which times are the best to shop. Many thrift stores will have half-price days or discount certain products throughout the week as they go through stock.
“In the case of Goodwill, these go to ‘the bins,’ a last-ditch distribution center where you can buy by the pound – with some exceptions, like books and glassware,” Bogus said. “The bins are a honey hole of value if you put in the hours to dig around and find good stuff.”
“I usually inquire about the schedule of their price reductions and organize my visits based on that information,” Pucker said.
Sign Up for Savings
It’s very often that thrift stores will have loyalty programs where joining includes price reductions, vouchers and early looks at promotions.
“It’s like being part of an exclusive club where saving money is the norm,” Pucker said.
Buy More, Save More
Thrift stores offer discounts through rewards programs, but they may also offer discounts when you purchase items in bulk, according to Pucker.
“This is very helpful when buying many books or old dishes,” she said. “I once saved a lot of money on some beautiful ancient books by purchasing them in a pile rather than selecting each one individually.”
Go Consistently and Frequently
Sometimes, it may take a few trips to a thrift store before you score a good find. To score something great and save money while thrifting, the key is to shop often.
“It really is the best way to increase your chances of finding some real treasure,” Bogus said. “I mostly look for menswear, but it might be one in five visits where I find something that I’ll leave the store with. You just have to keep looking!”
Chat With the Staff
Another trick to saving money while thrifting despite increasing thrift prices is to go out of your way to talk with the staff. Getting to know the workers at your go-to thrift store is a great way to learn about upcoming offers.
“They might share information about future sales and notify you if a unique item arrives,” Pucker said. “A friendly chat at the checkout has often led me to the best deals.”
Choose Wisely
Another financially savvy tip to keep in mind while thrift shopping is to choose your items wisely and learn how to train your eye to recognize what items are and aren’t valuable.
“For instance, chains like Goodwill receive donations of new items from stores writing off those items as donations to clear inventory,” Bogus said. “However, when they’re priced for the shelf, they may not offer the best value to the consumer. I see this a lot with home cleaning supplies.”
“It’s not only about searching for low-cost products; it is also about looking for good quality,” Pucker said. “I am always on the lookout for items that are crafted to last a long time.”
Pucker said that when you go to buy something from a thrift store, it’s important to check whether the item is worn out and, if so, look into how much repairs on the item may cost.
Essentially, despite its increasing prices, thrift shopping is a great way to both save money and help the planet. When you buy something that is already used instead of brand new, this leads to less pollution and carbon emissions.
“Thrifting is getting more common, so being flexible is important,” Pucker said. “It’s true that prices are higher, but the main part of thrift shopping — the happiness in searching, the money saved and each thing’s history — stays the same. By applying some planning and having great interest, it is possible to discover amazing bargains and valuable items.”
More From GOBankingRates
How Much Does the Average Middle-Class Person Have in Savings?
5 Reasons You Should Consider an Annuity For Your Retirement Savings
This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: How To Shop Frugally at Thrift Stores Despite Rising Prices
