How to Buy (Almost) Anything Used

[snugglekitty]

The economy is not doing so well. We all know this. But you can't just stop needing things, can you? Here are a few ideas on how to become a Thrift Maven.

- Know your local thrift stores. In the Boston area, there are a number of good ones and others you will mostly want to avoid. Even "general" thrift stores like Goodwill or Salvation Army often have things that they specialize in at their different locations - furniture, books, clothing. Find out how often they get new deliveries. Find out whether there are dressing rooms. Compare their prices with prices of getting similar items new. Look at the labels. Most thrift stores carry a variety of brands, which could include your favorites! Call and ask about sales to make things even thriftier.
- If you're the type that likes to try things on, consider wearing a bodysuit under your clothes. Thrift stores and their merchandise are not always clean. Plus, if you try something on over something else, you don't need a fitting room to do it.
- Have patience. If you are looking for something specific, you will probably not find it on the first try. You might want to ask a thrift-store owner to be on the lookout for something (this is more helpful for vintage boutiques than places like Goodwill), or you may want to check a number of places. It helps to start thinking about things you'll need soon, and to have a list of those items in your head, rather than waiting until something wears out completely. Sneaker got a hole? Start looking for another pair before they really fall apart.
- Be flexible. You may have a shiny red fondue pot in mind, and if you were buying something new, you could pick exactly the one you want. But if you see a shiny blue fondue pot in good condition for three dollars, you should probably jump on it. One of the great things about buying something used is that if you decide you don't like it, you can just re-donate it and try again. Which leads me to...
- The dollar-a-wear principle. This is an essential concept of thrifty shopping, be it used or new. Something's value to you lies in how often you will use it. If you buy new shoes for $150, you have to wear them 150 times for it to only cost a dollar when you wear them. If you buy a used book for a dollar, try picking it up once, and decide you don't like it, you're only out a dollar. What this means in a nutshell is that used items are less of a commitment than new items. If you got something for only five dollars, and will donate it rather than throwing it out, if you use it five times you've gotten your money's worth.
- Reduce, reuse, recycle. American consumption of goods is ridiculous when compared with that of other countries. Happily, buying things used extends their life cycle without necessitating new goods being produced, so if you shop used, you can be a bit more adventurous with your purchasing.
- Check everything carefully before you buy it. Look for stains, missing pages, holes, a broken zipper, missing buttons. You should also make sure that your coveted item is not smelly (although some smells can be handled at home).
- Alterations are easy. If you're handy with a needle, you can probably change the length of those cute pants or sew up that hanging seam. If you aren't, maybe you know someone who is. As a last resort, getting used items custom tailored is not unheard of.
- Process your used items. Don't consider things "ready to go" as soon as you take them home. At the very least, wash them with hot water and detergent, or spray them with disinfectant. You don't know where it was before! Make sure to take the tags off before you wash them - the tags they use in thrift stores are tough and may tear a hole in your garment. If you can't wash it, you might be able to dry clean it. If you can't dry clean or wash something, try hanging it up on your porch for a while to air.
- Keep in mind that some things are better new. In general I do not recommend buying shoes used unless they are washable, because it's nearly impossible to get them clean otherwise. I also do not recommend buying socks or underwear used. This is primarily because of the "ick" factor, though if you are comfortable with a few hot-hot cycles and maybe some bleach, that is your business. Also, if you are buying someone a gift, they may prefer new items. Let all your thrift be wanted!

What thrift suggestions would you give people new to the experience?

Comments

[water-childe.livejournal.com]

I'd add, learn how to curb pick.
Somerville is awesome for this. End of the month and begining of the month are the best times. Late Summer to early Winter tends to be when the pickings are the best.
Also? Right after Xmas. People often get rid of old things because they've gotten lots of new gifts and clothes for Xmas. Learn how to spot check bags to see if they contain clothing or housewares, like linen, towels, and even throw rugs. You may want to wear gloves. It's also handy to learn how to judge if something is worth your time or not. Some things are thrown away because they are too worn or badly stained to be much good to anyone. But many things are fine as long as they are washed well. People often even throw away brand new things! Stuff that is still packages or even has the tags still attached. Don't forget to inspect recycle bins. People often get rid of cookware and dishes this way. I've gotten high quality enamal pots and pan, and even full sets of decent dishes and wine glasses. Someone else's trash can be your treasure.

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

I enjoy curb picking myself but I think that is an advanced class. :) Since this post is focused on buying stuff used, I'm not sure it would belong here. I wonder what post it WOULD belong in though. Advanced Urban Thrift, the seminar? Final exam you must either garb yourself or furnish one room using only what others have discarded?

[water-childe.livejournal.com]

I think you might be right. Learning how to be really good at curb picking takes time and experience. I like the idea of "Advance Urban Thrift". Even more advanced is food.
When the students show up and then leave?
Some of them put canned food and other non-perishables out on the curb. I've gotten new bottles of exotic spices out of that too.

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

Right, it's true that it's advanced. I think that most people who have spent their lives buying only new things would probably blanch at the idea of trashpicking. Although I've gotten some great things that way, you have to work up to it.

I would not trashpick food, though I'm glad that works for you.

[abilouise.livejournal.com]

Only pick up or buy things that you actually want, no matter how cool they objectively are. There is nothing wrong with leaving something awesome for the exact right person who will really love and use it.

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

Good one.

[bluepapercup]

I love the dollar-a-wear concept. This is why I own two pairs of really expensive casual shoes, but I do actually wear one or the other nearly every day. The brown ones are probably into $0.75 a wear at this point. :)

One of my tips is to thrift things that you need around the house or car that are by their nature, disposable. I like rags for dusting, cleaning the car, etc. I don't wear out sheets or tshirts fast enough to use them for rags, so I pick up the slightly weird/stained sheets and tshirts at goodwill to use as rags. This also works great if you need dropcloths. I also have no problem buying dishtowels for similar purposes.

Know what you are looking for.

[gothtique.livejournal.com]

I have a short list of things that I always on the prowl for.
I might go into a shop looking for doll house furniture, but I always check the jewelry case for Siamese silver jewelry, just in case.

... and it never hurts to have researched your objectives a little in advance.
Cuz I look for antiques and very specific things, I have looked them up on ebay and other websites and know what they are selling for.

Don't forget Freecycle!
It is amazing what you can get when you ask for it!

[queen-of-wands.livejournal.com]

The suggestion to process your used items is really important, not just because you probably want clean items but because there is an epidemic of bed bugs in the Northeast (and that includes Somerville). They can hang out in furniture, luggage, corrugated cardboard, and really all kinds of places for a very long time until they are brought to a place where there are sleeping people to feast on. And once you have them, bed bugs are really freaking hard to get rid of. Not that I know all about this, or anything.

[catskillz.livejournal.com]

You beat me to the punch! I was just about to post about curbpicking and the risk of bed bugs. I've stopped picking up used furniture because of this. Clothing can at least be immersed in super-hot water.

The Boston Globe had a great little article a couple of Sundays ago about a Somerville woman on a quest against bedbugs and to teach the public about them:
http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/11/16/a_crusade_to_stamp_out_bed_bugs/

[staceyinastoria.livejournal.com]

These were very good tips!

[lady-anemone.livejournal.com]

I'm glad you liked them. Good luck!

[omnia-mutantur.livejournal.com]

On the alterations are easy front: be aware of your own limitations. If thing X would be awesome if you could only paint/sew/weld/skydive be able to honestly assess if you have the skill or will acquire said skill to make it what you want it to be.

[nessur.livejournal.com]

I really missed the word 'maven'. Just, awesome.

[pink-pet.livejournal.com]

Good advice.

I love outlet malls, when it's really an outlet. For my wedding we drove down to one and I got a designer suit for half off. Which, while not cheap, was a significant amount of money.

Then I went to a tailor and had the pants finished (they came unfinished) and the jacket taken in.

Also, thrift stores can be a bit overwhelming and disorganized. So I go with a specific goal in mind. Recently I was looking for a plaid skirt and a white shirt with princess stitching. So when I got to the store it made it very easy to shop. I just went down the line of clothes very quickly. (And found both at the second thrift store I went to.)

For trash picking, there is a spot on the second level garage in my building where people leave stuff. It's where you're supposed to put broken down cardboard boxes. But a little trade exists with other "stuff".

I left a computer there and someone took it. And I picked up 8 jelly jar glasses. And of course, lots of cardboard boxes for moving.

So for my wedding day, it looked like I had a tailor made suit for a LOT less than a tailor made suit.