BEST TIME TO SHOP :
~The best days for thrift store shopping in my experience are Monday and Tuesday, and end of day on Saturday and Sunday. Many people clean our their homes over the weekend and make donations Saturday through Monday. Some of my best finds have been on Saturday evenings right before closing. Most shoppers have gone home, so the store employees have had a bit of time to process new donations from the day and get them out to the floor for the next day.
HOW TO GET A DISCOUNT:
~Many thrift stores give discount coupons when you make a donation. Be sure to ask for one if you don't receive one. Goodwill is one that does NOT give discount coupons, but their donation process is the easiest, and their prices tend to be lower as well.
~If you are a senior, thrift stores have different days for senior discounts so be sure to check at each store for their discount day and shop then. That is usually a 20% discount. Tag sales are a huge thing at thrift stores so watch for which tags are discounted.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR:
~When thrift shopping it's important not to get caught up by the color of something that can be painted. Even the condition of the finish in many cases is easy to fix.
~Look for furniture with lines and character that appeal to you and don't focus on what the purpose of the item was originally. Try to be creative with what you can do with your thrift finds.
~Pay close attention to the smell of items before you purchase. Even wood and metal can hold an unpleasant smell.
~Dovetail joints and pieces made with flat head screws are a sign of age and the craftsmanship is often exceptional on these pieces.
~Don't discount pieces that look like wood but are actually "plastic". Vintage pieces were made from all sorts of materials, but once they are painted you won't even know. Some of the designs on these pieces are
beautiful, and a lot of people pass them by because of the material. Do keep in mind that some furniture is made with MDF or Pressboard, and while it is paintable it can be harder to work with and odors permeate the material and make themselves at home for good.
ASK FOR SPECIFIC TYPES OF PIECES:
~If you can chat with one of the people processing inventory, always ask if they have other pieces in the back. I have ended up with some unbelievable items this way. My favorite was an amazing antique dining set with 5 chairs, for $40! The table needed some structural work, but nothing too difficult and the finished piece was amazing!
WHAT TO STAY AWAY FROM:
~First of all it is easy to buy too much, so be careful. Try to have rooms or areas from your home in mind while you shop. That will keep you from ending up with a garage full of things you love, but have no where to put. It will also help keep the peace in your home ;) I want my husband to LIKE that I thrift shop, not dread my trips out.
~Upholstered furniture - unless you are skilled at re-upholstery the job is HUGE, and the expense to have the work done is almost never worth it. The exception to this is chairs and benches that are mostly wood. It is easy to re-cover a seat cushion, and even some of the antique or vintage chairs with an upholstered back aren't too difficult.
~Kids items. Beware of kids items all around. Little tables and chairs are usually ok, but beyond that the safety guidelines have changed so much over the years that it is almost impossible to keep up. Just be cautious in this area.
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