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Some people give thrift stores a bad rap, but they’re actually great for certain kinds of items. Here is a list of 10 things you should always buy at thrift stores.
Things You Should Always Buy At Thrift Stores
Picture Frames
No need to buy brand new picture frames. A thrift store frame will do perfectly fine! Picture frames rarely get much wear and tear. So it’s easy to find some in perfect condition {but at a discounted price} at a thrift store.
Lamp
Most often, lamps aren’t the focal point of a room. They are there to provide light. Since they are largely functional, get a simple lamp for at the thrift store without breaking the bank.
Bedroom Furniture
I wouldn’t buy a mattress or blankets at thrift stores (just a personal opinion), but you can definitely get some cute bedroom furniture. Find gently used desks and nightstands. You may need to paint it, but it’ll still be cheaper and have more character than brand new furniture.
Chairs
There are usually tons of chairs at thrift stores. They may not match with a certain room, but that’s nothing that a nice spray paint job and some pillows or cushions won’t fix!
Glassware
Whether it’s for decoration or actual use, thrift stores often have a wide variety of glassware. And you can sometimes find nearly identical sets to match what you already own.
Board Games
I’ve seen board games in nearly perfect condition for just a dollar or two at thrift stores. Not only that, but you may also find some of your older childhood classics at there as well!
DVDs
It’s often a well-kept secret that thrift stores have a great selection of DVDs (both old and new) at a great price. Give a look in the DVD section and see if there isn’t anything that you’d like to take home.
Books
Before you go and spend a whole paycheck at Barnes & Noble, try going to your local thrift store. The books may be a little beat up, but they’re usually in good enough condition to read. Or buy vintage books to display on a shelf!
(Kid’s) Clothes
If you have kids who never seem to stop growing, the thrift store is a great option! You can get them the jeans and other basics they need. Even if they grow out of them in a week, they won’t break the bank. You can also go shopping for your own clothes, but just make sure you really love something before you buy it.
Platters
There are all sorts of platters and serving trays at the thrift store. You can find lots of pretty dinner items if you look hard enough.
Hope you enjoyed learning about the things you should always buy at thrift stores. It’s a good rule of thumb to get rid of stuff before you buy something else. Here are the items you should throw away right now.
Some vintage glassware has lead, cadmium and even radioactive materials… I would say unless you know what it is made of decoration only.
J-anon,
I’m very glad you said that about the glasses. Also dinnerware.
But what I do buy from thrift shops is, corelle dinnerware made in the USA which is lead & cadmium free.
Also Farber stainless cookware made in the USA..and Copper bottom Revereware cookware USA only.
Great rule of thumb! My theory is start at the dollar stores, thrift stores and work your way up. Luckily most of my friends are like minded and I have found some fantastic items for pennies on the dollar and just put a little elbow grease, a sprinkle of creativity and miracles do happen!
Thanks j-anon, that’s excellent advice!
Be careful with books, games, clothes, frames and any kind of upholstered furniture, baskets, etc. Bed bug eggs are the size oh a pin head and can cost close to a $1000. to get rid of not to mention the hassle of washing and drying ALL clothes, bedding towels, rugs, possibly furniture. . Vacuuming every single day. Moving All furniture away from the wall Removing all electric covers.
The only thing i will buy are glass products for crafting products. Even then I am very careful
I just quarrentine my stuff before I even put it in my car. And it doesn’t even come in the garage or house till it has been disenfected in some way. And yes, bed bug or flea infestation, especially where I llive can be extremely expensive. That happened to a girlfriend of mine, she lost all her upholstered furniture, cats had to go to the vet and be quarrintined – extra money for that too. Not to mention time lost from work, it just can snowball out of control.
Guess I’ve never thought of it that way….search bed bugs or talk with an exterminator and you’ll find out you can get them from a laundromat or the movie theater as well, I had to because my daughter’s apt complex had an outbreak in the walls…yuk…..but thanks for the tip
I didn’t either until my girlfriend had her episode. So now wiser and just use a bit of common sense. Since I have always shopped thrift stores, antique, second hand stores, I just use a bit of common sense. I am also a “regular” at a number of my local establishments, the staff knows me, and if I have a “haul” I also try and ask for a bargain by bundling and negotiating a price for a number of items. Also keep a container of clorox wipes in the car to wipe stuff like furniture down before placing in my car, or return later with a borrowed pick up truck. I also always have a couple jumbo space bags in my car to stuff my purchases in for quarentine purposes. Knock on wood I have been lucky!
I have also found name brand clothing for kids and adults. And name brand bags . I just recently found a “The North Face” coat for women. It’s the new green fad in corporate and gray. .
I’ll buy blankets in good condition if I think they can handle two trips thru the sanitation cycle of my washing machine. I also get good deals on fabric yardage and sometimes yarn or other crafting materials. I always look.
I work in a retail thrift store, most of the items on this list are common sense, never buy a used mattress, in my state it’s against the law for a retail store to sell them; but most glassware is safe you will be able to tell leaded glass from the rest by its price. Cloth items are usually OK, but trust your own judgement, we throw out questionable items but some places do not. If you are concerned about the safety of items in a second hand store avoid those which operate on donations and consignment, their employees are rarely trained to know what they arelooking for or at when processing items.
It’s Barnes & Noble.
Sorry. It just really bugs me when people throw that extra “s” on the end. Besides, I figure you might want to keep accuracy/spelling in mind for this nifty blog! 😉
Good advice, although I never see chairs at thrift stores in our area. Glassware is iffy because there aren’t enough that match to make a set. My favorite thing to buy at thrift stores is vases, and I often find great deals on craft supplies and kid’s toys.
Are we talking Dollar Store here? How about shopping at Dollar Store…