When the topic of shopping comes up in conversation and I tout my latest thrift store finds, my listeners sometimes grimace and say something like, “Oh, I would never go there.” This attitude may have been more common in the past, when buying new was a mark of our rise from impoverished immigrant origins. Today, however, thrift shopping is positively in vogue. In addition to those taking advantage of this rich source of quality goods at low, low prices, I often see well-heeled women in the thrift store, browsing for one-of-kind vintage pieces for their homes and wardrobes. There are also those who are concerned about the environment and want to recycle clothing to keep it out of the landfills – not to mention that thrift shopping is fun, an adventure in discovering the new (to us) and unexpected!
A
Walk through a Thrift Store
Thrift stores don’t always look the way people expect. Most of the busiest ones are set up
in old supermarket buildings, with bright lights, wide aisles, and clean
floors. Being inside feels closer to regular shopping than to the cluttered
image many people still have in mind.
Clothing
is arranged first by men’s, women’s, and children’s
sections, then by type – skirts, long-sleeve shirts, short-sleeve shirts,
dresses, men’s jackets, etc. – and grouped by color within each section. For
instance, all the green shirts are together, no matter the size.
Shelves
follow the same idea. Cosmetics and soaps are in one area, while unopened
toothbrushes and personal care items are bagged together nearby. Picture
frames, kitchenware, books, pet supplies, luggage, and handbags each has its
own section. Shoes are sorted separately for men, women, and children, then
grouped by type into sneakers, flats, heels, sandals, and boots.
People move
through the store in different ways. Some scan quickly, stopping only when
something catches their eye. Others go section by section. It’s common to see shoppers come back to an aisle if they’re unsure about an item or want to compare prices.
Regular shoppers
pay attention to the colored tag system. Each item has a tag, and each day, one
or two colors are marked down. The discounts change, sometimes by 75 percent or
more. On days when blue tags are heavily reduced, a $20 pair of Nike sneakers
can ring up for $5. Many shoppers check the sale color before they start
browsing.
Never Know What You’ll Find
Behind the scenes,
donations are sorted and checked before items reach the floor. Most of the
merchandise comes from household clean-outs, and many thrift organizations
offer doorstep pickup, which keeps inventory moving. Some items also come from
stores that are closing and donate leftover merchandise. New items appear
throughout the day rather than all at once, which is why the shelves can look
different even within a single visit.
The variety stands
out. One visit might turn up shelves of unopened puzzles, coloring books, and
board games – useful for birthday gifts when you don’t want to spend much. In another aisle, designer eyeglass frames may be
kept behind the counter, with brands like Coach, Ray-Ban, Tom Ford, and Tory
Burch. A staff member helps shoppers try them on. Most items on the floor look
nearly new, and it’s uncommon to see
anything visibly worn. Many thrift stores operate on a cash-only basis. Returns
vary by location, but many thrift stores treat purchases as final sale, which
is why shoppers tend to check items carefully before heading to the register.
The
shoppers vary. Some come looking for clothing, bicycles, or toys for their
families. Others are there to acquire items to resell on Facebook Marketplace
or eBay. They move through the aisles with phones in hand, checking current
resale prices online as they go. When something has value beyond the store, it
goes straight into the cart to be listed later.
The
layout is straightforward, prices are manageable, and most of what’s on the floor is in very good condition. Inventory
changes constantly, which is part of the appeal. For many shoppers, thrift
stores aren’t a special destination – they’re simply part of regular shopping.
Rivka Resnik is the Curriculum Director of Living Smarter
Jewish and the author of three financial literacy textbooks – one for middle
school and two for high school – available at cost to Jewish schools through
the OU and Living Smarter Jewish. Her writing appears regularly in Jewish
publications across the country.
