If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a million times, “You find the cutest stuff at Goodwill. I never find anything.” Contrary to popular belief, I don’t have any magic Goodwill pixie dust or magic thrifting power. If you’ve read my Tips for Gold Digging and still leave the store defeated and empty-handed, you may be making one of these five thrifting mistakes!
- You don’t have a plan. Goodwill is big, really big, like Forever 21 in Times Square big. The vast size and inventory at most Goodwills can intimidate many newbie and virgin thrift shoppers. You need a plan of attack as soon as you walk in the door. This varies by store because each Goodwill store is laid out differently. If I walk into a new store, I scope out the sections first then prioritize based on time. If I’m short on time, I always go to dresses or shoes first.
- You don’t try everything on. I know the dressing rooms are a little cramped and not too fancy, but you can’t skip trying on your finds! I usually have a buggy full of clothing and can easily narrow my haul in half after trying on. This is also a good time to inspect each garment carefully any missing buttons, broken zippers, frayed hems, or holes.
- You are too distracted. Yes, there are McDonald Flintstone cups from the 90’s, oodles of Bill Cosby sweaters, and tons of other tchotchkes that will take you back to a fond childhood memory. Acknowledge this memory and move on because you have Goodwill gold to find!
- You are caught up by the cheap price tag. Yes, it’s cheap. That does NOT mean you have to buy it. This is one of the mistakes I often make. J.Crew sweater for $3? Cool graphic tee for $2? Being mesmerized by the affordable price does not change the fact that the cool graphic tee may hang in your closet unworn for the next 2 years! I set a budget for my shopping trips and force myself to stick to that budget to ensure I only buy items I really like or need in my wardrobe.
- You are in a hurry. Time is an invaluable commodity. We live in a society where busyness is glorified and we’re all in a hurry. You cannot have the same mindset when you walk into a Goodwill store. If I’m making a serious trip, I try to allocate at least 2 hours in the store. I know it seems like a lot, but you would spend just as long at the mall or TJ Maxx. I make quick trips if I’m looking for something specific, but I always leave feeling like I left treasures on the racks.
Are you guilty of making any of these thrifting mistakes? I hope my tips help you become a better Goodwill shopper! Share your finds on Instagram with the hashtag #goldwilldigger!
Vintage shopping or places like Goodwill tend to overwhelm me … but probably because I’m making ALL of those mistakes! Love these tips!
xo Jen
Skirt The Rules
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They can be overwhelming! I hope these tips are helpful!
I hear from people all the time who don’t have much luck at the thrift store too. These are great tips! I have a similar strategy. I have specific things I look for, like ugly 1970s neckties and vintage fabric that I upcycle. Since I am basically looking for vintage stuff when I shop for clothes, I use the”stick and move” strategy – only grabbing the things that jump out at me from the rack.
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That’s a great strategy, and I think that skill comes with time and thrifting experience. I can easily tell if I like something or not within 20 seconds.
Love these tips! I can easily spend 2 hours wandering around Goodwill, it’s my happy place!
xx
Gem
http://www.milkwhitemoon.com
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Thank you! It’s so easy to spend hours in there!
These are great tips! I always spend a few hours in goodwill when I’m there!
Lee – leethrifts.com
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Thank you! It’s so easy to spend hours in there.
These are great tips! I also get asked about my ‘abilities’ but really I think you can’t underestimate experience. Thrifting often gives you the knowledge and familiarity with a shop to really be successful. I’m definitely popping by your blog again!
xo
n
Great tips! My sister and I hear the “I never find anything” complaint all the time. These things can be hard to put into words when you’ve been thrifting for so long you can’t remember what it’s like to be new to it.
You had great ideas here. I love Goodwill. I know before I go in though, how much time and money I have. I know what I am looking for so everything else is not allowed in my cart…except things for the grandkids. ..then it’s okay.
I was raised on goodwill shopping (and now work there as a cashier) and I honestly can’t buy anything from a retail store. I think a lot of people don’t realize that it takes time and strategy to ruffle through things before you can find anything. But that’s what makes shopping there fun; that moment when you find that nice jean jacket you’ve been wanting, and double score, it’s 50% off, is such a thrilling moment. I also think a key thing here that I’ve been trying to teach a friend of mine is that if you like it (even if it’s not your size or gender), put it in the cart. It doesn’t matter how much money you have or whether you’re on a budget, chances are only about 25% of what you try on is going to fit or look good. But this goes hand in hand with trying stuff on (!) New clothes are very different than used so chances are you might end up fitting into a small when you’re normally a medium so it’s always better to just try it on. These (and the tips mentioned above) are definitely cardinal rules for me.
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I agree 100%! I always say that even if I won the lottery, I would still shop at Goodwill! This is a great tip too!
TRY IT ON! I have bought stuff marked XL and found out it was a child’s XL. I also found out Goodwill has a 30 day
return policy with receipt, of course.
We have a wonderful “Thrift Store” That sorts their racks by color, which is so helpful.
Baseball and football t-shirts are mostly in the men’s section. Another ‘try it on”. I can usually get a men’s medium, but
sometimes a large fits. The “Thrift Store” only takes cash, so budget is automatic.
My tip is that different thrift store locations are better for certain things than others. For example one Goodwill might be great for housewares not so good for clothes. Knowing which location from a friend in the know about what you are looking to buy can make a difference.
I love the tip about sticking to a budget. When I go thrifting if my kids or husband start calling or text me it throw me off and out the mood i like a cup of coffee early in morning and phone on silent/
I can roam forver another tip is go to all departments SO TRUE lastly as a child on the weekends my mom would take me and my sister and we hated it we got head ache and we acted out (mad at mom for having us in there for hours) so to get revenge we would find kids our age and bully them (we were 5)
I have been shopping at the Goodwill & the Salvation Army since the 1970’s. They have done a much better job of merchandising since that time. I find all sorts of nice items to buy including nearly new & new shoes & clothes. It is a must to try things on if you can.
I am a collector of vintage items, especially jewelry & glassware. Found a lovely Lalique piece several years ago.
I believe I have an addiction to visiting a thrift store at least once every 7-10 days. It is always a fun day for me.Nancy
I love to sleep in a mans dress shirt,much cheaper and more comfortable than a night gown ,and better made , a Ralph Lauren for 2.99 is a bargain !
Glad to read this information. I am a manager of a Goodwill store. I’m very proud of my store. We are very picky about what we put out. It has to be in perfect shape or it doesn’t go on the floor. Out store is one of the cleanest and friendliest in our area. You read so many bad things about Goodwill and I have worked for them for going on 16 years and we have grown and we do so much for our community. So proud to work for them.
I volunteer at a St Vincent de Paul store which is a non profit organization. I have found that Good Will and Salvation Army are higher in price than our stores by about 20-30%. All of our profits go back into community support and we still manage to keep our heads afloat.