Feeling the squeeze? These days, with prices soaring on everything, finding ways to save money is becoming almost essential, like when buying eggs, of all things.
Thankfully, there are clever methods to stretch your dollar. In particular, taking advantage of thrift store deals.
Thrift store deals are out there, waiting to be found. The key is figuring out how these stores work. It took me a few months of reduced work before I decided to really learn what makes thrift stores tick.
Table of Contents:
- Mastering the Art of Thrift Store Discounts
- Beat the Crowds
- Follow Thrift Stores on Social Media
- Text and Newsletter Updates
- Discount Days at Your Local Thrift Store
- Inventory Restocking
- Look for Sale Signs
- Off-Season Shopping
- Glass Cases are Important
- Donating to Help Disabled American Veterans
- Getting The Best Thrift Store Deals Using Color Tag Systems
- Extra Tips For Getting Thrift Store Deals
- Conclusion
Mastering the Art of Thrift Store Discounts
I reside in the Central Valley, so locating good deals isn’t really very tough. No matter where you live, you will have the greatest chance of success following some of these practices.
The thrift shopper can gain better prices on thrift store finds using sales. Shoppers can also gain using store deals, and targeted shopping approaches.
By getting creative, you can locate amazing items. Getting to family thrift stores in a popular place first may allow you better opportunities. Learning what makes each shop operate as efficiently as possible will increase your likelihood of success.
Beat the Crowds
My personal preference is to visit a thrift store in the morning. The experience becomes significantly less stressful with fewer shoppers around.
When sourcing inventory for my business, I also look to get items that are in the best condition. When stores are busy, it’s easier to make rash decisions, so slowing things down typically improves outcomes.
Fewer people creates a calmer shopping experience for customers. This leads to more customers happy with their thrifting.
Follow Thrift Stores on Social Media
Staying up-to-date on local thrift store happenings requires some savvy social media use. Thrift stores frequently promote specials on platforms like Facebook.
This method is very popular because all ages of people are on those types of networks. That allows sellers to cast a wide net.
Using this strategy has personally given me great success. You might also be able to see newly donated items.
Text and Newsletter Updates
A useful tool that businesses use often is SMS text and e-newsletters. I recommend people always signing up for promotions at checkouts because the five to 10 minutes spent enrolling can pay massive dividends.
Getting the best deals, for a few minutes of “work”, just makes sense. You can even find out when they are going to accept donations of certain types.
Of course, do what you’re most comfortable with. Newsletter updates can let you know the next chance to donate local.
Discount Days at Your Local Thrift Store
Many thrift stores support key parts of our communities like teachers and first responders by supplying them discounts. Be ready to present documentation if needed.
I personally haven’t qualified for any special savings like that, but it’s great seeing businesses supporting core community members. My father happens to receive discounts for being a senior.
Goodwill gives 20% to him. Stores support various types of people and professions.
Inventory Restocking
Different stores handle inventory using different systems. Certain stores place new merchandise out just a handful of times per week.
It is not uncommon for some thrift stores to put things out throughout the day. Allowing staff to have the space and time they require makes the experience work better for everyone.
It’s a good idea to find out how your local store restocks their inventory. Some have special days and some prefer items moving throughout the day.
Look for Sale Signs
Clear messaging allows shops to tell you about opportunities that might normally not be available. This might involve customers wearing hats to qualify for sales.
The caveat to this approach is not becoming too centered on certain product tags. People should ideally shop for items they like rather than hoarding lower-priced items that don’t appeal to them.
The most effective practice to be aware of when shopping is simply purchasing the items that improve your life the greatest. Sales could be for a specific item too.
Off-Season Shopping
Demand for products goes up when the weather aligns with specific times of year. Halloween merchandise costs the most near Halloween for example.
End-of-season closeouts allow companies to clear their products. Sales like this sometimes involve Christmas items being priced aggressively in January.
Typically around Christmas and Halloween time, shops need to get the previous “season’s” items moved off of store shelves, fast. Shopping can be even more budget-friendly than normal right before and after big holidays.
Glass Cases are Important
Some thrift stores keep premium merchandise stored inside special glass enclosures. Don’t be shy when it comes to taking time to examine what is being displayed.
It is totally understandable why people might feel awkward making a request to a worker for better viewing access. I believe it helps to remind yourself they get requests like this quite a bit.
They want customers happy. You simply never will be certain what could be inside unless you are willing to be vulnerable.
Donating to Help Disabled American Veterans
Did you know shopping at Red Racks Thrift Stores directly improves the lives of Missouri’s Disabled American Veterans? Red Racks is owned and operated by Disabled American Veterans Ernestine Schumann-Heinke Chapter 2, Inc.
This nonprofit gives our veterans a life filled with great support. Sales help in various core life areas like getting to health-related appointments.
They help over a million veterans per year. Donate items and your unwanted clothing could not be any easier.
Getting The Best Thrift Store Deals Using Color Tag Systems
Color tag systems make it simple to understand sales that involve purchasing products featuring colors on certain price tags. This method works perfectly in thrift stores and other resale type of marketplaces.
Certain shops choose to put certain colored tags on different days. So Tuesday, hypothetically, might feature all products 50% off, so long as it includes the red color tag.
Check with your store and ask how to select color coded tags. These tags tell you it is on sale.
Extra Tips For Getting Thrift Store Deals
Here is a breakdown of tips that were covered to make things easier to review:
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Beat the Crowds | Shop during off-peak hours, like weekday mornings. You will likely have less competition for the best finds. |
| Follow on Social Media | Stay updated on sales and special events. Social media can alert you to exclusive deals. |
| Sign Up for Updates | Subscribe to text and email newsletters for alerts. You will receive insider information on promotions. |
| Look for Discount Days | Check if the store offers discounts to specific groups. People like teachers, military, or seniors can get specials. |
| Know Restock Schedules | Figure out when your store restocks. Some do it daily while others prefer only certain days of the week. |
| Pay Attention to Sale Signs | Look for posted signs announcing sales. These can be a good indicator for unexpected deals. |
| Shop Off-Season | Buy holiday or seasonal items after the holiday. The after holiday period will allow for great clearance sales. |
| Check Glass Cases | Look in secured displays. You could potentially find more valuable items there. |
Make the process as easy for employees to perform their jobs when asking about new unstocked products. Avoid being disrespectful or annoying. Be cognizant about making other shoppers experience poor or awkward, be a good human, it benefits everyone.
Thrift stores usually are tracking which items are hot, and which need to sell quickly. They have well-designed plans in place.
The more customers that are paying attention to systems the better chances they get extra special deals that would typically not happen. Keep an eye out for color coded tags in your search for deals. These usually change each week or even each day.
Store deals do fluctuate by company of course, but being savvy about what and how often inventory hits stores is always beneficial. Knowing how and why inventory might be discounted during certain occasions allows thrifty people ways to optimize success.
Using off-season strategies also helps a consumer locate hidden gems in various industries. Take your time exploring and use thrift store social accounts because sometimes these can have hidden value.
Conclusion
Thrift shopping opens avenues to amazing products that are frequently a portion of what traditional outlets ask for the product brand new. Getting savvy with thrift store deals just makes plain old common sense.
Saving dollars is always important to me. Utilizing a lot of these tips might help other thrifty people like me discover more pathways to their own money-saving dreams.
The Disabled American Veterans also greatly benefit when shoppers decide to give to them and use their resources. It’s a real win-win for everyone involved.
