Hey, hey, back off on the Good Will shoppers.
When we were digging out from under an avalanche of medical debt, Good Will, Salvation Army, and second hand stores kept us in clothes for several years. I came from money so I knew what to look for in terms of cut, quality, and condition. Champagne taste on a beer pocketbook.
We got so proficient at bargain hunting that my family and I still go to them even though we are comfortable now.
I would often find gently used designer clothes, leather coats, jackets, and boots for pennies on the dollar. Isaac Mizrahi raincoat, originally $200, for $6. Coach sandals originally for $98, I snagged for $5. Gorgeous Naked Cashmere pullover, originally $295, for $12. My personal bests were a Silver Fox jacket with leather trim, retail about $600, for $40, a full length racoon coat, retail $4K, for $450 and a Prada bag (which still sells used for over $200) for $20.
That being said, I did laugh out loud at your comment because you have to dig through a ton of hideous, shabby clothes to find these gems.
I love shopping at goodwill! I like expensive clothes, but can’t afford them, so Goodwill it is. If I were wealthy, I’d still shop there.
I bought a pair of nice flip-flops and liked them so much I wanted to get another pair. $78 for them new!!!
After years of buying jeans at thrift shops, paying full price for new is really tough, buy I did break down and buy a pair of really cute jeans that fit just right.... and then I washed them.
Never again!!!!! Thrift shop jeans are a great price and pre-shrunk!
My wife likes thrift stores. It satisfies her urge to shop. She finds gems occasionally.
I’d never shop at Goodwill. It’s not REALLY a charity. It’s a total revenue-generating organization and the head honcho is wealthy because of it. If he’s making tons of money from it, good for him; just don’t lie about it being a charity.
I find that local thrift shops are a good place to shop. When I lived on Maui, I’d buy my muumuus there. When the five star resorts would change out their uniforms, the old ones would go to the thrift shops. They’re top of the line, and some had never been worn.
Some of my most beautiful serving dishes are from thrift shops — usually $1. Some clothes, too, but since retiring in 2008 I don’t focus on clothing much any more. I’d love to find a nice fur coat or jacket somewhere, though, like you mention. When I left Alaska for Florida I sold mine and now I wish I had them again.
Well done you! My best snags at GoodWill have been a Vera Bradley bag for $8, a pair of never-worn black suede Clarks shoes for $10, and a white wooden bathroom cabinet for $4.
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