Before I had kids, I was the thrift store/yard sale queen. I could clothe Barry and myself very inexpensively. I could also decorate our home for cents on the dollar. I loved thrifting. LOVED IT. But then…I had kids.
I love my children – So. Much. But the idea of packing them all up into the car to run to the thrift store and pick out/try on clothing is enough to make me want to join a nudist colony.
I have a friend who goes to Target several times a week – picks up lots of things to try on – takes them back home to do so – and returns most of it when she doesn’t like it…because she has kids. And taking multiple kids into a dressing room is a recipe for disaster. STOP LICKING THE DOOR!
I had some bad experiences with buying clothing online…mostly shoes. I would order the size that should have fit, but it would end up being too small or too big…and then I would have to PAY to return it. Ain’t nobody got money for that. So, it put a bad taste in my mouth and I just didn’t feel like buying clothes online. Thrifting is cheaper, right?
Maybe. Maybe not.
I heard about online thrifting from my friend Angela over at The Grocery Shrink. Knowing that Angela is as cheap frugal as I am, I thought I had better give it another look. Then I started seeing all sorts of people post about online thrifting…like Mandi at Life Your Way and Caroline at The Modest Mom.
I thought I would hate it. I went into it thinking, “This is gonna stink. I hate it already.”
But I didn’t. I’m getting super good at being wrong.
So, I want to take the next couple weeks to look at some different places I’ve tried and let you know what I think. You should note, I was not paid for this review. If I got any money off, I’ll disclose that in the actual post. But I feel like my reviews hold more clout when I actually PAY for something instead of getting it for free…because I’m not trying to wax eloquent and boost another person’s ego. Ahem.
First, I want to talk about actual brick-and-mortar thrift stores. Prices for these are going to vary GREATLY…but I want to give you guys a general idea of cost. We live in rural Southwest Virginia. Below is a photo Barry took at one of our favorite thrift stores…they’ve recently raised their prices (not reflected) and done away with sale days during the week. This was a huge bummer to us.
Our local Goodwill (women’s clothing):
- Pants $4.67
- Tops $4.67
- Dresses $7.27
Let’s talk yard sales for just a second: yard sales are always hit or miss. Some years are AWESOME and some years you can drive around and hear the crickets chirping. Some years are awesome! And some years you think, “Do you really want to sell that with the price you’ve put on it, pal?”
So, while I would like to compare these stores (online and in person) with yard sales, that’s not a good way to go about this comparison because of the hit-or-miss aspect and because I hate yard sales were nothing is priced. PET PEEVE ALERT. I just had to inject that, even though it’s not really relevant. Moving on.
Goodwill prices vary A LOT. I’ve been in some Goodwills that were more than a retail store. Not cool, dude. And actually, we have quit shopping at Goodwill for personal reasons, but it’s still a good one for comparison because it’s a nationwide chain.
In-Person Thrifting Pros:
- Good prices
- Supports local economy
- Fun
- Cool hats to try on for laughs
In Person Thrifting Cons:
- Prices vary
- Hit-or-miss
- Gas and time to get there
- Not always high quality items
- Some stores have a no-return policy
So, that’s my take on thrift stores. I will also be covering other online shopping options such as:
- Thred Up –> Post for that review is HERE
- Twice –> Post for that review is HERE
- Thrifting for children –> Post for that review is HERE
- Stitch Fix –> Post for that review is HERE
…then at the end I will have an overall review post and give pros and cons for shopping online versus shopping at a real store.
Stacy, I know this isn’t a super new post, but I was hoping you’d still see my question and answer it. 🙂 Do you have a place that you really like to get cheap maternity clothes? I’ve been trying to go to garage sales, but this is apparently a bad year to buy maternity clothes that way (every other year when I didn’t need them they were all over!). Thank you! 😀
Thred Up (link in this post a couple times) sells used maternity items!
Also, I would check out local consignment sales for children. They almost always have a maternity section. 🙂 That’s where I get mine.
Thank you! 🙂
I thrift and second hand for just about everything. But, again, it’s hit or miss and as the kids get older it’s harder to find nice clothes for cheap because kids their ages typically wear their clothes more than few times and are rougher on them. It’s been a much cheaper and better option for babies and young toddlers. I yard sale too and it is a fun thing we do as a family. But there are a few items I will NEVER, if ever, find that way…jeans, long sleeved tops, and dresses for myself. I’m 6’0″ with a 37″ in seam and size 7. No store within 100 miles stocks my size. And because of my unique size and shape, I really have to try things on because different brands, cuts, and styles all fit differently. I’ve found Amazon Prime has been the best for me so far. I’ve never heard of online thrifting though so I’m REALLY curious to hear how it goes for you! With four kiddos, anything that doesn’t involve hours of going size to size to size to size to size to try and find something would be great!
How interesting! I have never ordered clothing from Amazon….everything else, yes. Clothing, no. LOL 🙂
I shop at Vincent DePaul and Salvation Army. Goodwill has gotten far too expensive. Also, I like knowing that they (Vincent DePaul & Salvation Army) will donate for FREE to needy families so that is where I like to drop off things I no longer need. You can make beautiful little toddler dresses from pillowcases or men’s dress shirts. https://www.google.com/search?q=toddler+dresses+from+men%27s+shirts&biw=1366&bih=612&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=uhlGVfzCHpPfgwT0h4GYBA&ved=0CB0QsAQ
I have a cute little pillowcase dress pinned…but I think that requires me to learn how to use my sewing machine. 😉
Thrift stores are very Hit or Miss. I can go in one day and find a ton of good things and the next time I find nothing. I mostly shop for my kids twice a year at two different consignment sales (sometimes I only have to go to one) in March and August so I just pay one lump sum up front and they are set for 6 months. I’ve never tried second hand shopping online so I can’t wait to see your other posts 🙂
I bet I know which sale you’re talking about! 🙂
Hi Stacy this makes lots of sense. I’m not a big shopper but would rather do it online. I usually have too much going on at home to take time for this.
Great! I hope you’ll find this series very helpful. I did! 🙂
I got a brief moment without kids to visit a local thrift store and was so excited to find a BIG designer name dress, that fit! A rare opportunity to own something I could only dream about!
Way to go!
I just started using stitch fix, but it is definitely not a thrift store! The prices are MUCH more than I would typically pay, but I do love their service and having a few nice quality items to wear. even after a discount, the clothes average $50 per piece. They look great, and I feel like a million bucks, though! I only get them 4 times a year, so I budget for it and enjoy having a few nice quality pieces for occasions that merit it.
No, it’s not a thrift store. 🙂 I worked together with my friend Nikki on that option. It’s for those of my readers who don’t like buying items used.
I really like thred up. They have free returns which is great. Somethings are a little pricy and I’d rather buy new if I’m spending that much. Twice is ok. I don’t think stitch fix is a thrift website tho. I’m pretty sure it’s a pricy thing where a stylist sends you 5 or so things a month.. I haven’t tried it because it’s too much $$$ for me.
LOL No, it’s not a thrift store. 🙂 It’s an online buying option. “I Don’t Buy Clothes Online….” This post was about thrift stores. The other online options I’m covering were listed at the bottom.
I liked Thred Up too!
I CANNOT believe how cheap your thrift stores are!!! Around here, shirts are around $7-$10, and pants $15+!!!
I doubt there’s anything for online thrifting in Canada. It would cost more to ship it than the item itself (even Canada to Canada shipping). Gotta pay for Canada Post employees 40 sick days a year, right?
Yep – that’s why I made sure to note where we lived. 🙂
I will be checking those links out !!
Great! I hope you find them helpful!
I can get clothes that look like and adult should look instead of a teenager. I don’t won’t pants that hang on my hips at age 70.Also like classic stuff so look for that.I never shop retail anymore unless looking for a certain shoe I just have to have. Even make my own jewelry now too.
🙂 You sound very resourceful!
I’ve never had much luck finding clothes for myself at local thrift stores, but I have found some nice clothes for my boys. Also, (slightly off topic), I saw your instagram post about Facebook yard sales and I am trying that for the first time right now! Thanks for sharing about that too:)
Hooray! I hope you have good luck with it!
I stopped going to local thrift stores when I had children too. I have recently started buying all of my kids clothes from MoxieJean.com and have had very good experiences with them. They even wrapped my items in twine before shipping. I have also sold items to them. I filled up a bag for free and dropped it in the mail. It took about 3 weeks and they gave me $50 in store credit. I also buy quite a bit of clothes and shoes at Kohls.com. I love their clearances and if the item doesn’t fit I will just run in and return it at the store.
Several of my friends enjoy Kohls. I’ve not had much luck there.