Okay...I know a bunch of us who really love shopping at thrift stores (Goodwill, Salvation Army, etc)...and we really love to talk about our experiences there...so, instead of taking up space on other threads, talking about it...let's move it to this thread.  You can talk about anything concerning thrift/antique stores here....neat stuff you have found, experiences there....anything really. :)

I haven't found anything exciting, but I love thrift stores.  Great idea for a thread.

Good idea.

I've gone probably at least once a week since '98ish, so there's alot of stories I could tell. The other day, I actually found a vintage pair of LA Gear's, circa '87, that were in their original box, unworn. I couldn't believe that. ;)

While they do fit me, it's kinda small, but I couldn't pass that up.

BTW, I know the actual possibility of this is rare 'cause we're on opposite sides of the country, but --- wouldn't it be funny if we both were at a Goodwill and inadvertantly got annoyed with each other crowing a certain area, without knowing who the other was, of course? ;) ;D



yes...that would be hilarious! ;D :D I could just imagine standing there, rolling my eyes..thinking..."when is this guy EVER gonna be finished looking at all of those tapes/records?".  One time Beth and I went to Goodwill and Beth was standing there trying to look at albums....well, all of a sudden this kid (who was looking at items near her).....just cut right in front of her, said, "excuse me"....and then proceeded to look at the albums that she had been glancing through....she was like, "um...okay, I was looking at those, but ya...I guess not anymore"....and that comment didn't even phase him...he just kept on looking at them. ::) In the words of Stephanie Tanner....."HOW RUDE".  ;D

Good idea.

I've gone probably at least once a week since '98ish, so there's alot of stories I could tell. The other day, I actually found a vintage pair of LA Gear's, circa '87, that were in their original box, unworn. I couldn't believe that. ;)

While they do fit me, it's kinda small, but I couldn't pass that up.



wow! cool! I love when I find vintage things in tip top shape (in their box, or with original tags)...those things sell really well on Ebay! ;)

I haven't found anything exciting, but I love thrift stores.  Great idea for a thread.



thanks! :)

BTW, "Salvation Army" and "Goodwill" is a teeny bit different. The former tends to be slightly higher quality stuff (and tend to be appliance/clothing/furniture-based), but Goodwill is more "everything", and they usually also have more gadgets/electronics too.

Also, I'll even see stuff they dump, out behind the back of the store (not in a dumpster, it's occasionally on the street). I hate to feel like I'm taking "trash", but I once found a 3-piece boombox there without the speakers. Everything still worked, though, so it still had/has some value (to me anyway). Just hook up a pair of headphones, and it's good enough. ;)  

There are 7 major thrift stores around here.  1 Goodwill, 2 Salvation Army's, 3 March of Dimes, and 1 Value Village.  On a regular basis, I try to visit them all, cause I am a thrift store junkie :)

Usually, the only things I buy are T-Shirts, Music (Records, Tapes, CD's) and the odd time, I'll find some good electronics.  The best is when Salvation Army has 50% off days.  Since they only charge 25c for records, I get 'em for 12.5c on half price days 8)

The biggest jackpot I ever hit was a few years ago.  Salvation Army (or Sally Ann, as it's sometimes called) was having a

yes...that would be hilarious! ;D :D I could just imagine standing there, rolling my eyes..thinking..."when is this guy EVER gonna be finished looking at all of those tapes/records?".  One time Beth and I went to Goodwill and Beth was standing there trying to look at albums....well, all of a sudden this kid (who was looking at items near her).....just cut right in front of her, said, "excuse me"....and then proceeded to look at the albums that she had been glancing through....she was like, "um...okay, I was looking at those, but ya...I guess not anymore"....and that comment didn't even phase him...he just kept on looking at them. ::) In the words of Stephanie Tanner....."HOW RUDE".  ;D


That's messed up -- yeah, I'd never do that. In fact, rudeness like that in general turns me off (the Bay Area seems to have that alot). When someone is in an area I want to check out, I just look at other stuff until they're done.

The only time I ever said something was when I saw a VCR that was the EXACT kind we had when I was a kid (probably bought it in '84 or so, and it lasted until the mid '90s. To a kid, age 2 to, like 13 is an eternity). I saw a guy taking it, so I -- feeling very awkward and like George Costanza on Seinfeld ( ;D ) -- politely explained how it was the same model from my childhood, blah blah, even offered him 20 bucks to make up for it.

Luckily he was a cool guy who understood (he didn't care about that one, was just looking for a cheap VCR), but I felt really weird doing that.

We have tons of Goodwills, a bunch of Salvation Army stores, Saint Vincent De Paul's, plus a few local owned thrift stores around here.  I have noticed that Salvation Army has higher priced stuff, but one thing that I do like that they do, that Goodwill doesn't do is price their clothing individually....instead of putting one price on a one lump sum of items. For example...at Goodwill, all of their ladies shirts are one particular price...it doesn't matter if the shirt is thinner, heavier, bigger/smaller sized, etc...they are one price....but at Salvation Army....you can look through the shirts and they price them accordingly as to how much they have been worn, name brands, etc....

Wow....that's cool to have found a neat boombox in the trash that still worked...I have never thought of looking out back, as I thought they might have cameras back there or something.  We used to have one of those Goodwill boxes near out Kmart store...and my mother-in-law (who loves bargains too)....would take a bunch of bags that she was donating...and then if she saw anything laying outside of the box that appealed to her...she would "exchange it". LOL!


Speaking of finding things in the trash....have any of you found something that someone put out in their trash for garbage day, and have taken it?  I have seen so many neato things that people have thrown away...but unfortunately I don't have a vehicle big enough to pick up things like furniture, etc.  I always say that I should buy a pick-up truck! LOL!

We have tons of Goodwills, a bunch of Salvation Army stores, Saint Vincent De Paul's, plus a few local owned thrift stores around here.  I have noticed that Salvation Army has higher priced stuff, but one thing that I do like that they do, that Goodwill doesn't do is price their clothing individually....instead of putting one price on a one lump sum of items. For example...at Goodwill, all of their ladies shirts are one particular price...it doesn't matter if the shirt is thinner, heavier, bigger/smaller sized, etc...they are one price....but at Salvation Army....you can look through the shirts and they price them accordingly as to how much they have been worn, name brands, etc....


I never thought of that before, but I always used to assume the price on certain clothes was demand/quality/condition, etc. I do agree Salvation is usually more thorough - Goodwill occasionally has missing tags, etc.

I've taken people's "trash" before, but this is kinda embarrasing. The very first time I did it a few years ago (it was a tape recorder '80s style alarm clock, a few books, and a roller chair -- all of which I still have) I didn't realize/or forgot it was common for people to do that - probably 'cause by then, we had lived in apartment complexes for a few years.

Anyway, I remember knocking on these people's door for a few minutes, intending to ask if it was cool I took the stuff by the garbage can. Luckily the guy was nice, but I'm sure he was thinking, Boy, that kid probably doesn't get out much? ;D

I have never taken anything out of someone's garbage but my aunt does.  I find it hilarious during neighboorhood cleanup to watch all the pick up trucks patrolling the piles. ;D

I never thought of that before, but I always used to assume the price on certain clothes was demand/quality/condition, etc. I do agree Salvation is usually more thorough - Goodwill occasionally has missing tags, etc.

I've taken people's "trash" before, but this is kinda embarrasing. The very first time I did it a few years ago (it was a tape recorder '80s style alarm clock, a few books, and a roller chair -- all of which I still have) I didn't realize/or forgot it was common for people to do that - probably 'cause by then, we had lived in apartment complexes for a few years.

Anyway, I remember knocking on these people's door for a few minutes, intending to ask if it was cool I took the stuff by the garbage can. Luckily the guy was nice, but I'm sure he was thinking, Boy, that kid probably doesn't get out much? ;D




I heard that apartment complexes are good places to find neato things in the trash.  I guess because people are coming and going a lot, and sometimes people just throw things away because they can't take them when they move.  A few months ago I was going down this street and I saw this neat looking painting sitting out in someone's trash...I had a few errands to run and was planning on coming back and picking it up....but to my dismay, when I returned for it...someone had beat me to it....because it was gone. :-\\

The best thing I love about thrift stores is when I find rare albums or tapes that are like near impossible to find.  Last year, I sort of made an embarassing scene.  I was at Value Village and as I was looking at the tapes, I saw something that made me scream "Holy Fuсk" in excitement.  There in front of me was the cassette tape of "The Net" by Little River Band, a tape I'd been looking for since like forever.  Once I realized I had screamed a loud swear, I looked around me, and there were all these people looking at me, so I looked quickly at the tapes again, then went right to the cashier so I could pay and get the hell out of there ;D

I heard that apartment complexes are good places to find neato things in the trash.  I guess because people are coming and going a lot, and sometimes people just throw things away because they can't take them when they move.  A few months ago I was going down this street and I saw this neat looking painting sitting out in someone's trash...I had a few errands to run and was planning on coming back and picking it up....but to my dismay, when I returned for it...someone had beat me to it....because it was gone. :-\\


Oh, definitely. We've lived in my current place for 9 and a half years. I've found a desk, roller cart, and a couple CD/video racks by the dumpsters, just for starters. In fact, I'm still using that very desk right now (I'm sure it cost, at least a couple hundred bucks when it was new).

I have never taken anything out of someone's garbage but my aunt does.  I find it hilarious during neighboorhood cleanup to watch all the pick up trucks patrolling the piles. ;D



yes, it seems like a lot of people do that sort of thing around here too.  Get this...my brother-in-law was helping his uncle with some plumbing in a nice neighborhood...and happened to notice a big screen TV sitting out by someone's trash.  He talked to the owner of the house and asked him why he had thrown out the TV and the guy basically told him that it wouldn't turn on anymore, so he ended up purchasing a new one.  My BIL asked him if he could have it and the man obliged.  My BIL is a Mr. Fix-it and can usually tinker with things until they work....so, he took it home, plugged it in, and turned it on...and it has worked fine ever since. ;D  The only thing wrong with it is that it has a few marks on the screen (probably from being older and used a lot)...but that was about it.

[quote author=whis

[quote author=whis

Oh, definitely. We've lived in my current place for 9 and a half years. I've found a desk, roller cart, and a couple CD/video racks by the dumpsters, just for starters. In fact, I'm still using that very desk right now (I'm sure it cost, at least a couple hundred bucks when it was new).



dude, that's awesome!  I guess I will have to start perusing apartment complexes on my weekends! ;)

OMFG!!! that is SO funny! ;D  I could just imagine you doing that too! ;)   I totally understand that kind of excitement though. One time I found this big bag of individual packages of vintage 80's scratch and sniff stickers...and the whole bag was $2....there were about 20 never been opened packages in there...I ended up selling them on Ebay...for like $15 to $20 PER PACKAGE!! :o :o  You can imagine how stoked I was when I found those! ;)


It's awesome when you find unopened stuff in thrift stores.  Late last year, I found a brand new (still in the original factory sealing) copy of "Family Feud" for the original Nintendo.  I almost didn't want to open it, but I wanted to play it so bad ;D

One time, I found a factory sealed copy of the UK version of "Make it Big" by Wham! and upon opening it, inside were two (same) full-color fold-out posters of Wham! ;D

dude, that's awesome!  I guess I will have to start perusing apartment complexes on my weekends! ;)


Yeah, I recommend that. I wonder if I should check other complexes out sometime.

There's kind of a funny story related to that desk -- one day, my dad must've spotted it since the dumpster is right by our old garage (we've lived in two places in this complex - first from 1996-02, and our current unit for four years).

Well, I'm going out to check it out, when this jerky older guy who used to "patrol" the complex (he was the kind of guy who would get on you for parking in a "visitor" spot overnight, etc) happens by, going to me, "Did you throw this out?" I explained that I hadn't, but in fact, I would be taking it up shortly. Of course, when you're moving a desk, it helps to take the drawers out first. A couple minutes later, as I'm returning for the "main" part with my dad now helping, the guy returns and is like, "What is that still doing here. I need it out of here now!", just needlessly angry, we very calmly say, "Hey, don't worry, I promise we're taking it right now. You'll not see it ever again."

Fortunately that was the end of that, but I just remember that was probably the fastest I ever moved a desk in my life. I felt like I was on a game show or something (i.e. who can get it to the door in 60 seconds or less)? ;D

[quote author=whis

[quote author=whis

this is SO cool...I am so stoked that we all love to talk thrift store stuff like this....I gave you both a karma because it made me smile! I would love to chat more...but I am going to hit the hay...I have to be up in about 5.5 hours.  So....see you guys in here soon, I presume!  Goodnight! ;)

That's cool, man -- you know, since we can't actually get in a time machine and go back to 1984 and shop around, I almost feel like stuff like that is as close as we'll ever come.

BTW, I once found a vintage Loverboy T-shirt there, too.




yes, I totally feel close to my childhood when I am shopping in those kinds of places.


WOw...that's cool about finding that t-shirt...retro/vintage band/group tees sell well on Ebay too! ;)

^^Goodnight, Erin. And I'll definitely be back with more stories later. :)

I was just gonna ask if you guys have Value Village stores in America, but I googled it and discovered that they are in America and Australia, only they are called Savers

http://www.cedmagic.com/misc/thrift-store/value-village.jpg http://www.icsc.org/srch/sct/current/sct1000/04d-1.gif

http://www.reviewjournal.com/images/bestoflv/2000/photos/savers.jpg

These stores are so great.  They are goldmines 8)

I've never heard of these stores...I wonder where they are located in the US?

I've never heard of these stores...I wonder where they are located in the US?


The Savers Store Locator

There don't appear to be any in PA  :\'(

The apartment building where I used to live, the landlord had a place in the basement where he put up a big sign, "If you want it, take it". Since most of the people living in the building were college students, at the end of the school year, there was a turn-around of tenants. The kids would leave a bunch of stuff-furnature, applances, etc. Some of it was junk but I picked up a lot of great stuff from there.

Every year, our town has a clothing drive for about a week. Everyone brings in their old clothes and then people will pick up clothes-ALL FREE. I used to volunteer at it. I would bring a bag of clothes and usually leave with a bag or two-A DAY!!!  :o  I got some really nice clothes from that over the years (including the sweater I am wearing now). What is left over usually went to the Salvation Army or overseas. Some of the stuff still had tags on it-other stuff was garbage but you couldn't beat the price.

We have a perpetual tag sale store, here in town. I have gone in there from time to time but most of it is overpriced if you ask me. In Rutland, there are a few-the Salvation Army and there is a mission that has a store. I have been in there a couple of times-I like the mission's store better than the Salvation Army. I found a foot-soak thingy (with a massager and such) for $1.  :o



Cat

I've never heard of these stores...I wonder where they are located in the US?
They ahve one in San Jose,near West san carlos Street and South Bascom Avenue.

I've been to this department store called Dee & Dee and you can get a pair of dress pants for $9.99 and a dress shirt for $7.99.

The store to go to around me is Savers.  It is an arm of Big Brother Big Sister and the clothes they have are great.  I keep getting real quality stuff with the tags still on them.

I went to two three days ago. I gots me some vinyls. I got Yes, Don Henley, Duran Duran, and a plethora of others.

Ooh, and a little toddler's toy keyboard thing that makes animal noises!

I like to buy rare videos (stuff that not yet or will never be on DVD), cassette singles, and records.  8)

Just found a '45 of Debbie Gibson's "Staying Together"  8)  :)

[quote author=whis

The apartment building where I used to live, the landlord had a place in the basement where he put up a big sign, "If you want it, take it". Since most of the people living in the building were college students, at the end of the school year, there was a turn-around of tenants. The kids would leave a bunch of stuff-furnature, applances, etc. Some of it was junk but I picked up a lot of great stuff from there.

Every year, our town has a clothing drive for about a week. Everyone brings in their old clothes and then people will pick up clothes-ALL FREE. I used to volunteer at it. I would bring a bag of clothes and usually leave with a bag or two-A DAY!!!  :o  I got some really nice clothes from that over the years (including the sweater I am wearing now). What is left over usually went to the Salvation Army or overseas. Some of the stuff still had tags on it-other stuff was garbage but you couldn't beat the price.

We have a perpetual tag sale store, here in town. I have gone in there from time to time but most of it is overpriced if you ask me. In Rutland, there are a few-the Salvation Army and there is a mission that has a store. I have been in there a couple of times-I like the mission's store better than the Salvation Army. I found a foot-soak thingy (with a massager and such) for $1.  :o



Cat




wow, it sounds like you got a lot of great deals! I love freebies like that! ;)

I LOVE shopping at Goodwill and Salvation Army stores.  I've found so much nice stuff there.  In fact, like Cat, the sweater I'm wearing right now came from there....it's a Liz Claiborne and it still had the tags on it.  I've also found Tommy Jeans with tags, a pair of Doc Marten's that had never been worn (unfortunately, they were too small for me, but my SIL bought them), Yankee & VIllage Candles, and tons of other stuff.  My best deal was a pair of dress pants....they were about $2 and still had tags (just the brand, no original price).  I had never heard of the brand so I came home and googled it....I found out they were $200 pants from stores like Nordstroms :o  My SIL got a cute little Coach purse for $3.38....they are there at least once a week ;D



yes...I have found so many name brand things there...it's not even funny.  I actually stopped paying $100+ for my Doc Marten's...because it seems like everytime I go there...I find a pair of them (sometimes appearing brand new). :o

I went to two three days ago. I gots me some vinyls. I got Yes, Don Henley, Duran Duran, and a plethora of others.

Ooh, and a little toddler's toy keyboard thing that makes animal noises!



I just love finding neato goodies everytime I go there.  I mean, where else can you buy a CD for 2 bucks, a book for a dollar, and a cassette tape for 50 cents?? ??? ;)

I just got back from Goodwill.  Found a bag with 6 Atari 2600 games in it and the whole thing only cost me $2 O0

[quote author=whis

Today I was at Value Village, and as I was sitting on a bench that was next ot a rack of shoes, this busty woman in a very tight shirt walked by and as she turned to look at the shoes, her boob almost whacked me in the face.  I actually had to snap my head back to avoid getting hit ;D

Great Thread !
Well in the U.K we don't have thrift stores as such, we have charity shops. Basically nearly all the national charities like 'Age Concern',' The British Heart Foundation', 'Oxfam' or the RSPCA have a shop where you donate your unwanted items and they resell them to collect money for their particular charity.There are literally hundreds of charities so you get loads of shops !  :) , especially in the smaller towns like mine where there are 7 on our tiny high street alone !! 
I think you lot would be in your element here, mind you they are a little more expensive than the prices you have been quoting.
My friends and I love going shopping in them.I was 'charity shop shopping' with my sister on saturday and bought a gorgeous old serving dish for

All we've got in town in terms of a "thrift store" is this one store that's never open that kids aren't allowed in. It doesn't have anything too nice anyway.

Around here, it's really Yard Sales is the way to go. And even there, finding something nice is rare.

All we've got in town in terms of a "thrift store" is this one store that's never open that kids aren't allowed in. It doesn't have anything too nice anyway.

Around here, it's really Yard Sales is the way to go. And even there, finding something nice is rare.



I think I know what store you are talking about. Is it right in town?  We were driving around on Saturday afternoon and I saw a display window with mannequins wearing these big puffy 80's style wedding dresses...and I go, "That has to be a thrift store"....and when we went past...I saw the "thrift shop" sign on the building.

[quote author=whis

People are still selling Atari games after 25 years? :o


You bet.  People often just give them away to thrift stores, then people like me who know they are collectors items buy them.  I have like over 100 Atari games :o

Maybe it's the generation gap talking but... I just never found Atari games very fun.

Maybe it's the generation gap talking but... I just never found Atari games very fun.



Why was that? ???

Why was that? ???


I just don't find them very entertaining... they're kinda boring games.

I've got nothing against old games.. just that I haven't played a fun Atari game yet.

I just don't find them very entertaining... they're kinda boring games.

I've got nothing against old games.. just that I haven't played a fun Atari game yet.



Atari was fun at the time.

Just got back from a day of Thrift Store shopping.  I found so many great treasures.  A cassette tape I thought i'd never find, a whole bunch of 12" singles and 6 Atari Games :o

COOL! Sounds like you had a fun day? Did anyone run you over this time? ::)

COOL! Sounds like you had a fun day? Did anyone run you over this time? ::)


Actually, I ran over someone.  This woman was standing in front of the records and tapes, just basically talking to her friends and looking over hte clothes that she was going to purchase.  I politely said "Excuse me" as I tried to get around her, but she was ignoring me, so I wedged myself inbetween her and her friends and uсking elbowed everyone out of the way ;D

[quote author=whis

that sort of happened to me yesterday at Goodwill.  I was trying to go around a corner with my cart...and there was this stupid guy looking at duffle bags and he WOULD NOT move. His butt was totally in the way and I was clearly trying to get my cart through...but he would not move....so, I just stood there and waited...staring at him. Finally....he looked up at me and looked all shocked..like, "YOU want to get through?"....um...YES. ::)


Years ago, I got really pissed off at this one woman.  She had a whole cart full of clothes and she was blocking the end of the aisle.  Rather than walk back and go all the way around, I asked her if I could get through, and she didn't respond and just kept looking at the clothes.  As she went around the corner to the next aisle, she just left her cart there, so I grabbed some of the items in her cart, and mixed them back into the clothing racks ;D

[quote author=whis

You get carts ?? How big are these places  :o  I guess in the U.K we have lots of smaller stores.

To ask my question again. Do you have car boot sales in the U.S ?

[quote author=whis

Are those like auctions where cars that have been repossessed are sold?  If so, we do.  Over here, "car boots" are locks that they put on your tires if you have too many unpaid parking tickets ;D
Doh ! of course, in America you call it the trunk !
It's where loads of people with stuff to sell load up their car and drive to a designated place like a sports pitch. You pay like

I am looking forward to the warmer weather, as many yard/garage sales will be starting back up. I always look forward to those in the spring/summer months. I especially love going to those community yard sales, where tons of houses participate, and you can spend a whole afternoon perusing the streets for great bargains! ;)

I am looking forward to the warmer weather, as many yard/garage sales will be starting back up. I always look forward to those in the spring/summer months. I especially love going to those community yard sales, where tons of houses participate, and you can spend a whole afternoon perusing the streets for great bargains! ;)


Oh yeah, I love when everyone else does Spring Cleaning, as their trash is often my treasure! ;)

Although at the moment, if one was to look around in Northern California, they'd think it was like mid December, not the first couple weeks of Spring. We're still getting rained on almost everyday, so yeah, I'm definitely looking forward to Summer now!

Anyway, I did a big shop the other night. Got a nice sweatshirt, a black and white polo, as well as Ab Cruncher in the box from 1994 for only 10 bucks (I couldn't pass that up! Not just for getting in shape, but that it was still like new, etc), as well as a handful of '80s/90s tapes.

Oh yeah, I love when everyone else does Spring Cleaning, as their trash is often my treasure! ;)

Although at the moment, if one was to look around in Northern California, they'd think it was like mid December, not the first couple weeks of Spring. We're still getting rained on almost everyday, so yeah, I'm definitely looking forward to Summer now!

Anyway, I did a big shop the other night. Got a nice sweatshirt, a black and white polo, as well as Ab Cruncher in the box from 1994 for only 10 bucks (I couldn't pass that up! Not just for getting in shape, but that it was still like new, etc), as well as a handful of '80s/90s tapes.



I was at Goodwill the other day and found a bunch of neat stuff too.  Believe it or not, I happened to stumble upon a "Castle Grayskull" from the early 80's. It's not the complete set, but it still is in pretty good shape...and it only cost me a dollar!! :o

Along the lines of the who would you hang out with thread I think we ought to have a thrift exchange !
I could come over to you and find out about these cool thrift stores and the whole yard sale thing. You could come to me and visit all the charity shops and do a couple of car boot sales, maybe we would even find a skip to raid on the way !!
I just rescued the most fantastic old wooden chair from a skip near work.All it needs is stripping down and revarnishing. My problem is I don't have a car at the momnet and I would have to carry it home on the train so it's behind my desk at work at the moment !

Along the lines of the who would you hang out with thread I think we ought to have a thrift exchange !
I could come over to you and find out about these cool thrift stores and the whole yard sale thing. You could come to me and visit all the charity shops and do a couple of car boot sales, maybe we would even find a skip to raid on the way !!
I just rescued the most fantastic old wooden chair from a skip near work.All it needs is stripping down and revarnishing. My problem is I don't have a car at the momnet and I would have to carry it home on the train so it's behind my desk at work at the moment !



wow, that would be an awesome idea...I am always looking for great bargains!! ;)

I am looking forward to the annually outdoor flea market at the local mall.  Every late spring and into the summer, they have it every Sunday, and there are always new vendors with lots of good stuff for me to buy :)

Well, I went to Salvation Army last night with my 2 sisters and I found some neato things. I found 2 Izod Lacoste (alligator) polo shirts still with their original tags, a Le Tigre shirt, a Penguin Munsingwear shirt, some clothes for Vaughn...but the greatest thing was this vintage Pittsburgh Pirates jersey/shirt from 1979...in great condition.  I was also at Goodwill earlier in the day, and I found this awesome old trunk that I wanted to buy, it was only $20!!  My car wasn't big enough to carry it home though....I thought that it would have been cool to use as a coffee table or something....oh well, it sucks not to have a truck.

but the greatest thing was this vintage Pittsburgh Pirates jersey/shirt from 1979...in great condition. 

Now that's cool 8)



I found a whole bunch of 70's K-Tel compilations on vinyl ... which is quite rare, cause most of the time the ones I see are so scratched and beat up, they probably wouldn't even play.  But these ones were in near mint condition 8)

[quote author=wһіѕ

I buy mostly books from there.

The last books I got were:

The Dead Zone
Firestarter
Return of The Jedi
From Russia With Love

I bought a pair of Maroon colored dress pants to clash well with my red dress shirt.

Just got back from a thrift store.  I bought there....

- a stuffed Wrinkles (not the puppet version)

from a used book store

- The Last Starfighter novel

[quote author=wһіѕ

I am going to the thrift today to make a drop off and check out the summer tops.  One way of getting rid of stuff is to make sure I come home with less than what I arrived with.  ;)

I am going to the thrift today to check out the summer tops.   ;)


Me too I love mooching around in there, I saw an old 20's style minature hanging mirror yesterday and I'm gonna try and haggle the price down with the shop assistant  ;D

Me too I love mooching around in there, I saw an old 20's style minature hanging mirror yesterday and I'm gonna try and haggle the price down with the shop assistant  ;D


I have found some very interesting stuff like that.  A lot of collectors have gotten wise to thrift shops and and show up on "new merchandise day".

I have found some very interesting stuff like that.  A lot of collectors have gotten wise to thrift shops and and show up on "new merchandise day".


Yeap you're right, I've seen some dealers who sit outside in their vans waiting for OXFAM/AGE CONCERN etc to open (as they sell reasonable furniture) and they buy up loads of stuff leaving nothing for the average punter  >:(

Yeap you're right, I've seen some dealers who sit outside in their vans waiting for OXFAM/AGE CONCERN etc to open (as they sell reasonable furniture) and they buy up loads of stuff leaving nothing for the average punter  >:(


Goes against the grain, but there isn't anything to be done.

this isn't specifically about a thrift store find...but more of a yard sale find.....Vaughn and I went to some yard sales today and we did find a few neat things, for only a few bucks.  I always like to find neat things for my house. I stumbled across some misc. decorations (for Christmas, and just regular decorations for the house).

I feel like a contestant on "Let's Make A Deal" because I just got the deal of a lifetime :o

Just this evening, I was in goodwill, and they had gotten in like 6 full crates of LP's.  More than the usual old 40's and 50's albums of people youvve never heard before, these were real good records of the 80's .. well-known ones and only 49c each.  I only had 4 bucks on me, so I could only get 7 of them, so as i'm at the checkout, the nice lady behind the counter (who always gives me good deals) only charges me $2.  I was happily surprised, so jokingly I said "Wow!  Maybe i'll go back and look for more".  She said to me "you go right ahead", so I found 15 more, and she still only charged me $2 for all 22 records.  I still cannot believe it.

I may go back tomorrow.  They had atleast 40 more records that I wanted.

[quote author=wһіѕ

[quote author=wһіѕ

Psht, goodwill wanted to charge me like.. 10 bucks for seven records!


some goodwills overprice their records big time, like around $1.50-$2.00.  It's ridiculous.  Records in a Thrift Shop shouldn't cost more than 50c



wow, that lady must have a crush on you or something ;)  I never get good deals like that!!


She's a real nice lady.  She's always giving me deals cause I go in there almost on a daily basis.  If I buy a whole bunch of things, and it will cost say $5.00 for it all, she'll be like "Oh, just give $2 for it all".  I wish I had this woman's work schedule, so I'd know when she's always working, so I can always get real good deals

The other people who work there charge me the full price on the LP's.  This one big large red headed lady who works there, always opens the LP and pulls it out, I guess to make sure I'm not stuffing 45's in them.  When she puts the album back in, she doesn't do it carefully.  One time, she ripped the sleeve trying to jam the record back in.  It was a real hard to find album, one which I only ever saw that day, and have never seen again  >:(

[quote author=wһіѕ

I went to Goodwill yesterday and I found a really cute shirt, 2 Rugrats movies for Vaughn, 2 Rugrats books for him, a neat Tribal mask to add to my collection, a cool antique trinket box, and a few books for myself....all for $12!! :)

The last thing I got was two vintage 50's,very kitsch little ceramic frogs which now look so sweet sitting on top of the soil in a couple of my house plants. I like quirky things like that.  :)

[quote author=wһіѕ

[quote author=wһіѕ

I went to Goodwill yesterday and I found a really cute shirt, 2 Rugrats movies for Vaughn, 2 Rugrats books for him, a neat Tribal mask to add to my collection, a cool antique trinket box, and a few books for myself....all for $12!! :)


I miss the good ol' Rugrats...


Too bad it's "All Grown Up!" now.. pft

she's your sugar mama! ;) ;D :D


She might just be.  She's not all that attractive, but heck, if she keeps on giving me great deals, I might have to start turning on the charm ;D

I miss the good ol' Rugrats...


Too bad it's "All Grown Up!" now.. pft




I dunno...I don't mind "All Grown Up" that much....they aren't nearly as annoying as when they were babies!  :D ;D

Rare videos of cartoons, tv shows, movies, music videos that are extremely hard to find

I dunno...I don't mind "All Grown Up" that much....they aren't nearly as annoying as when they were babies!  :D ;D




Heh, I disagree.... I think they're more annoying now.. I just think it's too cheesy, back then, they weren't cheesy because they were Naive :D

Heh, I disagree.... I think they're more annoying now.. I just think it's too cheesy, back then, they weren't cheesy because they were Naive :D



Neither of them were ever my favorite! :D

I keep on getting good bargains from Goodwill.  When I buy a whole bunch of tuff, the lady doesn't even bother to add it up and ring it in.  She just throws out some low amount.  I always say "Are you sure?".  And she's like "Oh yeah, of course".  I guess I go there so much, that's why she always gives me the good deals  :)

[quote author=wһіѕ

is it the same lady? "wink, wink" ;) ;D


I thought that too!!!  ;D

Well, tomorrow Vaughn and I are going to hit up a bunch of yard sales in the morning. There are a few community sales, so hopefully we will find some good, cheap stuff! ;)

is it the same lady? "wink, wink" ;) ;D


indeed ;D

Whenever I'm at the checkout counter, I throw on a little charm so she'll keep on giving me good deals ;D

[quote author=wһіѕ

Our goodwill out here used to have these sales (for example, if the price tag was green and it was Tuesday, you got half off the price on the tag).
Recently they changed it to their "everyday low prices"  :\'( :\'( :\'(
But considering that I still got a pair of embroidered jeans yesterday for $4.00, I'm still happy.  They cost over $30 in the fashion catalogs.  I just wish they still had the sales...

Today went to 4 yard sales, couldn't find ANYTHING I wanted, hubby bought a 16mm or was it a Super 8mm film projector for $10 (I thiought that was a little pricey, but I'm a cheapskate), but hey at least he's happy.  ;D

Well...I went to Salvation Army yesterday and I found some clothes/Pj's for Vaughn and a few things for Chris, a pair of nearly new sandals for me...and a bunch of books for Vaughn and a few for myself....I also found 2 shirts for myself.

I went to a half-price sale at Vallue Village last Monday.  Big f*cking mistake ...

All kinds of old ladies running around like crazy people, smashing their carts into everything.  Honest to god, one woman even tripped and fell and knocked over asmall shelf full of electronics, and ended up smashing a few VCR's  ;D

I was able to find myself a few old cassettes, but that was about it.  I wasn't going to attempt to look at shirts or anything.  The crowds were just too thick  :-\\

I went to a half-price sale at Vallue Village last Monday.  Big f*cking mistake ...

All kinds of old ladies running around like crazy people, smashing their carts into everything.  Honest to god, one woman even tripped and fell and knocked over asmall shelf full of electronics, and ended up smashing a few VCR's  ;D

I was able to find myself a few old cassettes, but that was about it.  I wasn't going to attempt to look at shirts or anything.  The crowds were just too thick  :-\\





bhaahahaaa....I am getting a visual of that woman tripping and falling....and I am laughing like a madman!!! muwahahaa!!! http://www.inthe00s.com/smile/04/flamingdevil.gif

Anybody ever *take* anything to donate to thrift stores?  I'm too attached to most of my junk.  Although, I did take some clothes that I got as gifts from my mom (she gets them on clearance but I don't usually like the style) Bad me!    :-\\

Anybody ever *take* anything to donate to thrift stores?  I'm too attached to most of my junk.  Although, I did take some clothes that I got as gifts from my mom (she gets them on clearance but I don't usually like the style) Bad me!    :-\\
Yeah I take stuff all the time. I always have a charity bag on the go, mostly for the stuff that didn't sell on Ebay. We are moving house next month so the charity shops are getting bags of stuff !

Anybody ever *take* anything to donate to thrift stores?  I'm too attached to most of my junk.  Although, I did take some clothes that I got as gifts from my mom (she gets them on clearance but I don't usually like the style) Bad me!    :-\\


In hte last month or so, I've given the thrift shops probably around 300 cassette tapes in the last month or so.  I've been going through ones I don't listen to anymore, and I still have more to give them.  I also give them the odd T-Shirt that I don't wear anymore

While I was on vacation...I stumbled upon like 5 thrift stores....some of them were great, while a few others were really overpriced.

well...this morning Vaughn and I went to a few yard sales...we found a big box of Sesame Street/Elmo movies for $3.00. We also found a TON of Beverly Cleary books (Ramona Quimby, etc), and I found a neat purse.

I'm sure most of you are aware that lately I have been biten by the auction bug. You can find a lot treasures at auctions and sometimes can get stuff VERY cheap. I love when we get a box of "stuff" for about $10 (or less), get it home and go through it to find all sorts of nifty-neat stuff in it. Last night, we got a box of magizine clippings and such for $8. When we got home to go through it, we found a few 1948 Currier & Ives calenders, an French engraving signed by the artist dated 1928, a couple of 1900 Ladies' Home Journal and several other things. There was a lot there that we haven't really looked through EVERYTHING yet. So, if you haven't gone to an auction, I recommend them. They are a lot of fun. But, you have to be careful not to go above what you are willing to pay for it if you are in a bidding war with someone else. That happened to me last night. There was a BIG lot but there was really only a few things that I wanted from it (some local history stuff). This one woman kept bidding and bidding. I think I finally dropped out at $35. Carlos did ask her if she wanted to sell the local history stuff but she said that was why she wanted that lot. I didn't think anyone wanted that and thought that I could get it for real cheap. But I ended up not getting it all.  :\'(  Oh well. Still had fun.



Cat

Bought another Heckle & Jeckle tape and it was defected  :( :P


... should be released on DVD, though I've only seen a hand few since the early 1990's

At the moment with the house move looming I'm donating not buying so I'm avoiding the places like the plague !!

we have a huge community yard sale coming up the first saturday in August, in our neighborhood...I am so looking forward to finding lots of neat stuff!

I went to some Thrift Stores today, and at the Ontario March of Dimes, I found 8 of Madonna's CD Singles for $1 each ...

Eat your heart out all you Madonna fans :P

Express Yourself (1989)
Justify My Love (1990)
Bye Bye Baby (1992)
Rain (1993)
Bedtime Story (1994)
Secret (1994)
Secret - The Remixes (1994)
American Pie (2000)

I like to go to yard sales and Goodwill to buy old tvs and videotapes. You never know what you can find! ;D

I also have bought a bunch of videos from video rentals that were getting rid of their VHS tapes  8) :D

Well...I decided to bring this thread back. It's nearly spring time...and that means that it is getting much closer to yard sale time. I decided that come this summer...every Friday is going to be mine and Vaughn's yard sale perusing day!

As far as thrift stores...I haven't made my rounds in quite some time...so I deem this Saturday afternoon as: Erin & Vaughn's official thrift shopping day!!  :D

This year, my grandmother is going to have a yard sale, which will be my chance to try and sell off my VHS tapes that are collecting dust in my closet.  Over 500 of them at 1$ a piece.  I should sell atleast 1 of them.  lol

Found a rare public domain video set from "Kid Pics"  a few weeks ago:D

(Happy Hamster is evil!)

Not really a thrift store, but a DVD store that sells videos: a public domain cartoon video and "Puppetoons The Movie", which turns out to be better than I expected

The town my sister lives in has a load of charity shops and the stuff she has found in them is amazing! It's kind of sparked my interest again though lately I've been donating again not buying.

This year, my grandmother is going to have a yard sale, which will be my chance to try and sell off my VHS tapes that are collecting dust in my closet.  Over 500 of them at 1$ a piece.  I should sell atleast 1 of them.  lol



Can I make a suggestion?  Separate the more obscure ones (like the out of print ones, ones that seem like they are really hard to find, etc)....and sell those ones on Ebay instead.  Remember that movie, "The Peanut Butter Solution" that I told you I had 2 copies of? Well, it's a very hard to find video, and I ended up selling it on Ebay for over $20! :o  If you have some that you are not sure of their value, or if they would sell well on Ebay....all you gotta do is put in a search for that movie on Ebay...and kind of judge how well other people's copies of it are selling on there. :)

Can I make a suggestion?  Separate the more obscure ones (like the out of print ones, ones that seem like they are really hard to find, etc)....and sell those ones on Ebay instead.  Remember that movie, "The Peanut Butter Solution" that I told you I had 2 copies of? Well, it's a very hard to find video, and I ended up selling it on Ebay for over $20! :o  If you have some that you are not sure of their value, or if they would sell well on Ebay....all you gotta do is put in a search for that movie on Ebay...and kind of judge how well other people's copies of it are selling on there. :)


I do have alot of really rare/obscure ones.  I probably should try Ebay

I do have alot of really rare/obscure ones.  I probably should try Ebay



yes, you will make a LOT more money by doing that. ;)

Originally, I went to the local used CD store and sold probably about 300, only getting $2 per movie.  I had the last laugh though, cause after I sold them off, these places stopped buying VHS altogether cause I'd sold them more than they could sell.  Now they sell their VHS tapes for less than what they paid me to take them LOL

Originally, I went to the local used CD store and sold probably about 300, only getting $2 per movie.  I had the last laugh though, cause after I sold them off, these places stopped buying VHS altogether cause I'd sold them more than they could sell.  Now they sell their VHS tapes for less than what they paid me to take them LOL



ya, those places are usually rip-offs when it comes to turning things in for money. They hardly give you anything for DVDs, videogames, etc....it is so much more worthwhile selling it on Ebay...you make SO much more profit. ;)

ya, those places are usually rip-offs when it comes to turning things in for money. They hardly give you anything for DVDs, videogames, etc....it is so much more worthwhile selling it on Ebay...you make SO much more profit. ;)


I recently sold off about 200 DVDs that I never watch for about $1- $2 each, a few for $4 - $5.  I am starting to kick myself now :\'(

I recently sold off about 200 DVDs that I never watch for about $1- $2 each, a few for $4 - $5.  I am starting to kick myself now :\'(



aw man, Jason! That really sucks. People buy up DVDs on Ebay like crazy (especially if they are in lots of 5, 10, etc). :-\\

aw man, Jason! That really sucks. People buy up DVDs on Ebay like crazy (especially if they are in lots of 5, 10, etc). :-\\


They weren't obscure titles though, more common ones that you can get in any store.  Would people really pay big bucks for them though?

Anybody ever *take* anything to donate to thrift stores?    


I usually give books, and I sent a bag of baby blankets last weekend too.  Although, I am attached to my stuff as you said, I need to be less "clingy" and remember that my room can only hold so much stuff before there's no room for me inside.  And yet, I have a thrift store "found" 80's collection of 45 records. I have a player but  :\'( sigh! it's not working properly right now.  I do sometimes find books to enjoy then when I'm done, send them back to a different location.

They weren't obscure titles though, more common ones that you can get in any store.  Would people really pay big bucks for them though?



Ya, I mean..I've sold movies in lots of like 5 or 10...and I always seem to end up getting more than I would had I gone to a pawn type shop.

So I go into Value Village today, and as I wait for like 5 minutes in line to buy one cassette tape, I get up to the cash, and the lady she informs me that cassettes are now $1.99 instead of 99c like they used to be.  With an angry face, I told her that I'm not gonna pay that, and I walked out of the store.

Honestly, even 99c is too much for a cassette tape, but it's always been somewhat reasonable, but $1.99 is just ridiculous.  I'm not paying that, and I never will, so until they wise up and lower their prices, I may never shop there again

Luckily, Goodwill still has their tapes at 50c, but the way things seem to be going, prices could end up going through the roof :\'(

I should just start stealing from there.  I mean if they are gonna charge high prices and basically rip me off, then why can't I rip them off? ;D

So I go into Value Village today, and as I wait for like 5 minutes in line to buy one cassette tape, I get up to the cash, and the lady she informs me that cassettes are now $1.99 instead of 99c like they used to be.  With an angry face, I told her that I'm not gonna pay that, and I walked out of the store.

Honestly, even 99c is too much for a cassette tape, but it's always been somewhat reasonable, but $1.99 is just ridiculous.  I'm not paying that, and I never will, so until they wise up and lower their prices, I may never shop there again

Luckily, Goodwill still has their tapes at 50c, but the way things seem to be going, prices could end up going through the roof :\'(

I should just start stealing from there.  I mean if they are gonna charge high prices and basically rip me off, then why can't I rip them off? ;D





that's insane....why would they think that they can up the price of cassettes?  I mean....hardly anyone buys them anymore...they should be lowering the price of them, instead of raising it. ::)

that's insane....why would they think that they can up the price of cassettes?  I mean....hardly anyone buys them anymore...they should be lowering the price of them, instead of raising it. ::)


Other things are going up in price as well:  Albums that have 2 LPs are now $2.99 instead of $1.99.  CD's used to be $3.99 are now between $5.99 and $6.99 and T-Shirts that used to be $3.99 are now $6.99.  With all these stupid price hikes, I am surprised they don't charge admission to enter the store

So I go into Value Village today, and as I wait for like 5 minutes in line to buy one cassette tape, I get up to the cash, and the lady she informs me that cassettes are now $1.99 instead of 99c like they used to be.  With an angry face, I told her that I'm not gonna pay that, and I walked out of the store.

Honestly, even 99c is too much for a cassette tape, but it's always been somewhat reasonable, but $1.99 is just ridiculous.  I'm not paying that, and I never will, so until they wise up and lower their prices, I may never shop there again

Luckily, Goodwill still has their tapes at 50c, but the way things seem to be going, prices could end up going through the roof :\'(

I should just start stealing from there.  I mean if they are gonna charge high prices and basically rip me off, then why can't I rip them off? ;D


Bummer dude. That's still not bad, but I can see how that would be annoying (when I go there, I almost always make a point to get 3 or 4, if not quite a few more at once, lol). Over here, all the Goodwills have them for a blanket 99 cents.

It only varies if you go to a used record store, it usually varies on the artist and the condition sometimes too. Most are cheapies which are a buck or two, sometimes less (even if they're in perfect shape). The few that are a teeny bit more expensive are, say Beatles tapes, relevant artists, certain soundtracks, etc.

P.S. I honestly think cassettes will always be one of those recent enough "older technologies" that's still sorta around, even if they become less visible. They were around as late as 2003 to buy new, so the format will have some longevity in the future, even if just in very secondhand senses like this. What separates them from stuff like 8-tracks is that people amassed such large collections, and they're still residually used now for blank tapes to record off the radio, or for older cars with tape decks. So there's still a teeny demand.

Other things are going up in price as well:  Albums that have 2 LPs are now $2.99 instead of $1.99.  CD's used to be $3.99 are now between $5.99 and $6.99 and T-Shirts that used to be $3.99 are now $6.99.  With all these stupid price hikes, I am surprised they don't charge admission to enter the store



that's insane! People are used to the very cheap prices...with price hikes like that...they will probably lose good customers.  I know with Goodwill, around here...they have been raising prices too.  I mean....$6.00 for a pair of used jeans. ::)  All of their goods are donated....it's not like they are paying people to donate them.  They used to have neat incentives such as frequent buyer cards (you got a punch per visit if you spent over $10...when you filled up the card, you got 1/2 off of donated items on your next visit)...but they did away with that.  Then, Salvation Army used to have junior day and senior day....where you would get 1/2 off of donated goods...but alas, they did away with that as well. Everyone wants to make a killing on used items. ::)

that's insane! People are used to the very cheap prices...with price hikes like that...they will probably lose good customers.  I know with Goodwill, around here...they have been raising prices too.  I mean....$6.00 for a pair of used jeans. ::)  All of their goods are donated....it's not like they are paying people to donate them.  They used to have neat incentives such as frequent buyer cards (you got a punch per visit if you spent over $10...when you filled up the card, you got 1/2 off of donated items on your next visit)...but they did away with that.  Then, Salvation Army used to have junior day and senior day....where you would get 1/2 off of donated goods...but alas, they did away with that as well. Everyone wants to make a killing on used items. ::)


Several people I know don't go into Value Village anymore cause of all the price hikes.  Stores like these are supposed to cater to those who can't or choose not to pay big bucks for new stuff.  But if the prices keep going up, not even rich people will be able to afford to shop at these places :-\\

I bet they are raising the prices because the employees are complaining that they aren't getting paid enough.  Everyone has to make a buck I guess ::)

I bet they are raising the prices because the employees are complaining that they aren't getting paid enough.  Everyone has to make a buck I guess ::)


I don't know the particular store you are talking about (it's not here in the UK) but are you sure they pay their shop staff?  In the UK this sort of shop is run by volunteers to raise money for charity.

I don't know the particular store you are talking about (it's not here in the UK) but are you sure they pay their shop staff?  In the UK this sort of shop is run by volunteers to raise money for charity.


Some of the ones here do pay their employees yes.  Ones like 'Salvation Army' though use volunteers