Thrifting Tips from a Former Thrift Store Employee

Comments · 800

• KA

  @karrieharbart9266 · 4 months ago

  When I go thrifting, a maybe is a no. If you can wait, wait. Everytime I have said no to an item that was kinda what I wanted but not quite and I waited it out, I'd eventually end up finding the exact thing that I was looking for.

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• SU

  @susanma4899 · 4 months ago

  I have a note on my phone called "home measurements." So for example, whenever I find the perfect sofa or rug for my entryway, I'll have those numbers ready.

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• CH

  @chillnndc · 4 months ago

  Another good tip: Give yourself enough time for thrifting. Good thrifting can take  most of the day

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• LE

  @LeslieFitzpatrick-j6j · 4 months ago

  On your second pass, move in the opposite direction. If you moved clockwise the first time, go counterclockwise the second time. Your dominant eye will pick up different items that it passed over the first time.

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• TE

  @teriamborn5247 · 4 months ago

  When you feel leather, it's "warm" to the touch.  Whereas vinyl is "cold" to the touch.

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• SE

  @Seeyu · 3 months ago

  I think one of the biggest tips for people who are looking into this now just cause it's ~*trendy*~ is that a beautiful curated home cannot be done in a month. Mine has taken over a DECADE of finding things that work for me. That I fell in love with. This is a slow game and if you wanna truly join in, please do! But trends come and go so fast and this style just doesn't mesh well.

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• LA

  @LaurenAnne6 · 4 months ago

  My husband did me a solid and bought me a key chain tape measure. I've been scouring thrift stores for art frames for our plethora of art and I always forget to bring a tape measure. Having the little one on my wristlet has been so helpful.

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• AN

  @annw1395 · 4 months ago

  One YouTuber's tip was to go thrift stores at the end of the month.  People moving out of apartments, etc could be donating more items then.

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• KA

  @KarenAbrams-r8i · 4 months ago

  I live in an area full of seniors who need help. When my son was a teen he was constantly doing chores or hauling their stuff to the dump or thrift stores. They gave him basket ball hoops, kayaks, leaf blower, too much stuff to list. They couldn’t pay a lot but were happy to trade their abundance of stuff.

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• OL

  @Oleraza · 4 months ago

  DIY TIp: I have a leather bracelet that I wear when thrifting. It’s my secret 18” ruler. It has inches and centimeters embossed into it.

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• TA

  @tanya2926 · 4 months ago

  I love estate sales,  I love learning about the person who, lets be honest,  most likely passed away.  I think about them and who they were and what they collected throughout their lifetime as  you are entering into their home and life.  I have had a great time chatting with others while waiting in lines to get in.  Just went to one that was privately done by family siblings.  They were so much fun and the estate had such amazing treasures for a great price, they talked about their mom and how she loved and collected a lot of good stuff throughout her lifetime.

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• MA

  @mapratt · 3 months ago

  Biggest tip here is live in a populated area.  The selection will be sooooo much better.

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