STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Elle · Hermes

My fellow thrifters - prices?

KaffeeKlatsch · Marc Jacobs

For sure the prices in NJ are way higher than they were in OH. For example, a dress I bought in OH at Mid-Ohio Thrift was $3.99...in NJ at Unique Thrift a similiar dress was $14.99.
Two thoughts: prices vary by region, and by area's income level. prices also go up whenever the stores are generating more business.

XtinaStyles · Marc Jacobs

Ugh in NY its the worst. At one shop I go to, jackets run about $30, dresses around $40-$50!!! And we're not talking Gucci or anything. I only buy books and household stuff bc for that price I can buy new.

tri_sarah_tops · Marc Jacobs

At my goodwill (SE Wisconsin) all adult pieces are $2.99 regardless of brand or condition. I got a brand new cynthia steffe sweater for that price!

clothes_horse · Dooney & Bourke

i've noticed rising prices in the last few years at the thrift store i usually go to. i'm going to have to find a new spot to try since i can hardly afford to shop there anymore! :(
i remember when i could get 2 pairs of decent jeans for $5 and now the prices are $10-$20, even for nasty 80's and 90's styles. there are days when they have 50% off, but on those days, the store is so crowded and the merch is so picked over, it's pointless to go.
i've been looking more at garage sales and at higher end resale shops, since their prices are actually better and the stuff is much nicer.

Kelly · Hermes

I think it depends on the store. I don't even go to Goodwill anymore because I can just buy new clothes for those prices! The store I go to (I don't go often anymore, I went a lot in high school and college and I'm getting back into it lately) is called The Village and things are pretty good...skirts are probably about $4/each, tops maybe $8/each? I never really pay attention to the prices. But there are half price sales all the time, I don't really understand it all, but I know that certain colored tags are on sale on certain days. So things often end up only being 50% off that...so skirts for $2, etc. But it's the best thrift store I've been to

Domino13 · Nine West

Central Ohio has an incredible variety of Thrift Stores, with a range of prices. Some I have noticed have been raising their prices, but there are still some excellent deals to get if you are willing to look. The last Wednesday of the month is 50% off all clothes and shoes at Ohio Thrift (today, I went after work and it was a mad house, couldn't take it). Also, at our Village Thrift, one color tag is all items $.50 on Mondays. Other days there are 2 color tags at 50% off. There is even a church run one in a ritzy area that only takes items from people in that community to sell in their shop. They get great stuff, especially for kids. Brand new Brooks Brothers blazers for little boys for $2.00, for example. If you can't tell, this is an issue near and dear to my frugal heart. I love a good thrift store.

Kincali · Dooney & Bourke

The Goodwills in my area are horrible. They all have uniform prices, even the dirty ones that aren't kept up. $10 for a used church lady dress from the early 90's or brand new dress from Target? Hmmm such a hard decision...;)

Suasoria · Chanel

I think Salvation Army has better prices than Goodwill, and SA does sale days (either colored tag or half off days or BOGO days). But SA is much harder to shop/find things, whereas Goodwill is fairly well organized.

I try not to pay more than $5 for any single item unless it's something really special. Elle, your prices are definitely higher than here (L.A.). Another local one here, Out of the Closet, is rarely less than $5 for anything.

nunzi182 · Kate Spade

I find NJ thrift stores to be pricey when compared to thrift stores in Maine when I vacation there. In Maine everything is usually the same price.

Sibeski · Dooney & Bourke

The Goodwill in my area has set prices except for brand new merchandise from Target. The price for Target stuff is marked on the label. I can't say much for the Salvation Army. They separate their merchandise and the higher end things are priced way too high. I totally heart the Goodwill. In fact - I think I may stop on the way home.
Also - I just discovered Plato's Closet. I think it may be in the running for one of my new favorite places.

ETA: I scored some 7's at the GW for $5 and a Talbots skirt NWT for $1.50!!!!!

-- Edited by Sibeski on Friday 1st of May 2009 08:44:36 AM

Kitty · Hermes

XtinaStyles wrote:

Ugh in NY its the worst. At one shop I go to, jackets run about $30, dresses around $40-$50!!! And we're not talking Gucci or anything. I only buy books and household stuff bc for that price I can buy new.

That's pretty much how it is where I am and the reason why I don't even bother thrifting. I've actually seen coats in Goodwill for like $80. Not even cute or stylish.

I seriously think I can find cheaper stuff new on sale in regular stores.

TheLovelyLady71 · Hermes

Oh yes, I've noticed at the Goodwills here in Austin, TX. they'll have a dress marked for $.99, and I'm thinking, I can buy a BRAND NEW dress from Ross for that SAME PRICE, if not less. I think it's a little crazy!!! The only real thrift stores in Austin (for me) are the 'smaller' ones. I like Texas Thrift Store, Thrifttown, Savers. Those are the ones that have thrifty prices. biggrin

-- Edited by TheLovelyLady71 on Friday 1st of May 2009 11:40:30 AM

Elle · Hermes

Man, we don't have any small, local thrift stores here. At all. How can that be?! Maybe I'll go take a spin around the Icky Goodwill - it's in an big warehouse style building and they sell by the pound. Probably won't bother with clothes, but might be good for furniture or other house items. Goodwill and Value Village both have a 50% off color tag each week, but at Goodwill at least there's almost never anything clothing-wise left in that color even if you go first thing Sunday morning (the day they change the tag sale).

Sibeski - how do you find the prices at Plato's Closet to be in comparison to your thrift stores? We've got one around here (like I said, we're not lacking for consignment) but I've never been in before because I assumed things would be overpriced.

LOVE4MOOSE · Nine West

We have this place in utah called Deseret Industries and they always have shirts for like 3 dollars and dresses and such for around 7 or 8 dollars. I dont go to Platos Closet just because it can be a little ridiculous. I work at banana republic and i found a dress from BR at Platos for more than we sold it for on sale.. kinda a rip.

Karina · Chanel

i went to a Goodwill in North Miami Beach and picked up a Theory blazer for $7, i thought that was pretty good :)

Kincali · Dooney & Bourke

Elle wrote:

Man, we don't have any small, local thrift stores here. At all. How can that be?! Maybe I'll go take a spin around the Icky Goodwill - it's in an big warehouse style building and they sell by the pound. Probably won't bother with clothes, but might be good for furniture or other house items.

I love this kind of Goodwill! There is one four hours away and I can spend hours there.They put all the knickknacks/smaller items in gigantic garbage bins and people lean in to grab what they want. Since I have no shame, I am literally dumpster diving and climb into them biggrin

MissMee · Kate Spade

TheLovelyLady71 wrote:

Oh yes, I've noticed at the Goodwills here in Austin, TX. they'll have a dress marked for $.99, and I'm thinking, I can buy a BRAND NEW dress from Ross for that SAME PRICE, if not less.

Um, am I misreading this? I would think .99 for a dress would be a pretty sweet deal, and I can't imagine finding it for cheaper anywhere. Even from a garage sale!