Thrift Shops Thriving, but Running Low on Stock

[MrBern]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/10/business/10thrift.html

The must-have item for fall, it turns out, is someone else’s castoff.

That may sound like a boon for the thrift stores, and in some ways it is. Yet the same economic woes that are sending buyers their way are causing donors to hand over fewer items, so that many stores are running low on inventory.

 

[Rachael]

In an attempt to slow the incoming flow of things I just can't live without, we instituted a policy last year: all trips to Goodwill have to include dropping at least one bag/box off at the donation site.

Of course, it helps to have kids who grow faster than they wear out clothes. But I also try to make monthly evaluations of the closet; if I didn't wear it last season it goes. If it doesn't fit quite right and I haven't altered it after 2 months, it goes. No sense me holding on to something I'm not using when someone else who would put it to use is going without.

 

[LocktownDog]

In an attempt to slow the incoming flow of things I just can't live without, we instituted a policy last year: all trips to Goodwill have to include dropping at least one bag/box off at the donation site.

Darn good policy. One that is appreciated, I'm sure. :eusa_clap

I try to make a trip to the local women's shelter thrift store once a month. Gotten into the habit of donating a few bucks, if there's nothing I want to buy.

Will be stopping by another thrift this weekend. My ex dropped in and let me know the place got in a whole lot of vintage-looking signs. They could be repros (probably are) but worth rummaging through anyway.

 

[Edward]

I've been a fan of charity shops (thrift sotres) for years, though i have noticed here in the UK they've been hit a bit by eBay as folks discover they can make a few bob on their old things. I should expect that this has a lot to do with the present situation. I wonder, though, whether the economic downturn by turning more folks on to buying used might have the spin off effect of also upping interest in vintage?

 

[AlanC]

I'm skeptical about the low stock line. It may be the case with certain stores, but the shops I go to are stocked to the brim. There was one local shop that stopped taking donations entirely for several weeks because they had too much stuff. I regularly see store employees pulling old items that didn't sell off the racks to make room for more. On the whole, there is certainly no shortage.

 

[Feraud]

I have found great vintage items at thrift stores and do my part to contribute to them. My wife and I frequently contribute clothes and books.

The thrift stores have raised their prices within the last six months or so. They cannot help feel the economic crunch like the rest of us.

 

[Lillemor]

I used to go to a thrift shop in Stockton, CA when I lived there to buy up all the paisley skirts and dress blazers I could get my hands on. When I moved home to Denmark the thrift shopping stopped for over a decade.

I've only just re-discovered thrift shopping and I'm absolutely loving it! I can't find anything 1920s-50s but I can always find classic styles that cross several decades. That's what's important in my daily wardrobe. Unfortunately, being a petite slim woman, I'm 1-2 sizes smaller than most average height slim ladies so nothing fits perfectly but I'm willing to sacrifice on the fit issue for the quality of fabric, cut and tailoring I can't afford otherwise.

The Red Cross thrift shops appear to be the best. They're usually well organized, clothes is in good condition, clean and the shops are usually well lit so you can get a quick overview and decide if it's even worth browsing. They're really too.

I haven't noticed thrift shops running low on inventory here yet. 1-2 years ago my dad found all sorts of stuff for me in thrift shops around CA, but it's been over a year since he last sent a box of 5-12 classic, timeless, dresses.

 

[cookie]

Thrifting Down Under

I've been a fan of charity shops (thrift sotres) for years, though i have noticed here in the UK they've been hit a bit by eBay as folks discover they can make a few bob on their old things. I should expect that this has a lot to do with the present situation. I wonder, though, whether the economic downturn by turning more folks on to buying used might have the spin off effect of also upping interest in vintage?

Down Under thrifting compared to say 3 years ago when I started is evidence that they are combed by eBay resellers...including number 2 son!

 

[SpitfireXIV]

we're just having a lack of resale shops around the northern suburbs of Chicago. the rising rent drove one of my favourite shops out of business. with another one the city "condemned" the property so they could convert it into something more viable for the community :rage:

i have always loved to pop into a shop not knowing what i would find. now, i think everyone believes their old stuff is valuable enough to put on eBay and charge a fortune for shipping....

 

[carter]

This doesn't appear to be a problem in Dallas. I went to one shop yesterday morning and picked-up some quality wool items then stopped by in the afternoon and there was even more good stuff. Especially Harris Tweed, wool pants, and footwear. I found an awesome pair ok ladies' 100% wool plaid slacks in size 16. They were hanging in the men's stuff.

 

[ShoreRoadLady]

My nearby stores always seem well stocked, so maybe it's a regional thing? [huh] I know Goodwill in particular seems to always have a bunch of Target castoffs. (Which they price accordingly, even if the item probably went for less at Target's final clearance. *sulk*)

Me, I'm just opposed to more shopping competition. And people buying vintage and chopping it up to make it "new"... (Not opposed to a little refashioning, but some people have no sense.)

BTW, I don't like to donate good stuff to Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Is that terrible of me? I haven't given anything in a while, but I think my next donation is going to be to the little independent charity shop that I like. Goodwill and SA have become so ridiculously expensive, and I've heard stories about what they do with some of the donations (i.e. general lack of care). I can't guarantee that the little shop doesn't do similar things, but I do know they price merchandise so poorer people can actually afford it. That used to be one of the reasons for a thrift store. I have to wonder if other people feel the same way. Probably not enough to slow donations like that, though.

 

[Rachael]

I saw a bit on Today yesterday (yeah, that makes sense) about how to shop thrift stores and ebay. quick, somebody close and lock the doors before we are over-run!

 

[ShoreRoadLady]

I saw a bit on Today yesterday (yeah, that makes sense) about how to shop thrift stores and ebay. quick, somebody close and lock the doors before we are over-run!

I already get quite a crowd at my local Goodwill! I expect it'll only get worse.

 

[Dr Doran]

IOf course, it helps to have kids who grow faster than they wear out clothes.

You can say that again ...