garage sales are still king

**many houseapes** · 03-09-2005, 08:59 PM

this is probably a silly question, but i have noticed over the years that the prices at the thrift stores & goodwill stores have been going up. they now want $7 for a pair of used jeans. garage sales seem to be the ultimate place for bargains...has anyone else noticed this trend?

**crdurham** · 03-09-2005, 09:07 PM

I agree that Goodwills are high....its rare that I ever find a great bargin there..... sometimes they will be having a 1/2 price or $2.00 sale and I can find a few things..

The Salvation Army thrift is decent on their pricing but I rarely find anything there.

I have gotten some great deals at garage sales, can't wait to get out yard saling again this year.....

**Sara Noel** · 03-09-2005, 09:08 PM

I love garage sales, but here at the thrift store I can get pants for $1-$1.99. I'm sure I could find a garage sale with clothes for less than that, but a lot of hunting to get the right sizes for everyone.

*edited to add** that the pants price I quoted is for adults. I can get pants/shirts for the kids sometimes for only $.34 if on a sale day.

I think the hunt at garage sales can be much more fun and exciting though too. I especially love the city-wide garage sales and the block sales.

I do agree with you though on some thrift store prices. Our local Goodwill is overpriced. It's like they need a little reminder that the stuff is used and not brand new.

I figure both local thrift stores represent good causes though too, so the money I spend there is working for my community too.

**TanyaMT** · 03-09-2005, 09:26 PM

I gave up on our Goodwill. Last time I was there I saw a bowl set I saw in Crate and Barrell the week before on clearance for $10 (considered buying it, nice pasta set). The SAME bowl with a very distinctive pattern in the Goodwill USED had a tag of $20!!!

Pants are $7 a pair here too for used jeans.

**bamamomto4** · 03-09-2005, 09:34 PM

Our thrift store is overpriced as well. We went not long ago looking for Steve some jeans. We found 2 pair nice looking,but still worn pairs of Levis for $14.96 and $9.88!!!!

Levis cost around $30 new and them asking right at half price for some you could tell were used is crazy!

I also seen a few knick knacks for $3.88 with the dollar tree sticker on the bottom for $1

**seadream** · 03-09-2005, 11:15 PM

I will not buy clothes at my local Goodwill as they are so overpriced. You can go to Value City here and get a new pair of jeans for what Goodwill wants, and most of their shirts look like they should be thrown away.

**StarvingStudent** · 03-10-2005, 01:01 AM

I agree -- the Goodwills in our city are just ridiculous. I went looking for jeans for DH and their prices were from $10-$15 for very used, sometimes stained jeans. I can find them on clearance new for that price.

**QuilterMom** · 03-10-2005, 08:37 AM

Same here. The Goodwill stores got ridiculous on their prices on everything in the store about 3 years ago. We have one Salvation Army store here, but it's tiny, crammed full of stuff and very dark in the store (I like to be able to see and inspect what I'm buying). We do have one thrift store that's very reasonable on their prices of books, toys and such and they sometimes have bag sales on the clothes. I mostly stick to garage sales and rummage sales though.

**mrscornbread** · 03-10-2005, 08:47 AM

Yup, here too, I might as well buy new clothes, because of the high prices for used. Our garage (yard) sales are not much better here either, people are out to make money this way too, it is not a means to de-clutter anymore

Funny that Wqlmart can beat both of these once frugal shopping experiences!

**pip** · 03-10-2005, 09:00 AM

You know,I have noticed that. It's not so fun shopping at Goodwill these days. I also think they need to keep the place cleaner and stuff up off the floors. Everybody deserves a decent place to shop. Of course, I know they don't have the revenue to pay much for the cleaning service, but still.

**beeba** · 03-10-2005, 11:09 AM

I too find Goodwill overpriced. I have bought some great shirts there for my son but now I've found that Amvets is the best around here. Everyday they put something on half price. I've found great summer clothes for my dd and a brand new Dooney and Burke purse for myself. I go there first now before any place else.

**Englishlady** · 03-10-2005, 02:27 PM

It's funny but I had been under the impression that your Thrift shops and Goodwill, were really good? and I used to be a little envious!

I feel a little better now! Our version of these shops are called Charity shops and they each respresent a different one we have loads of them:

Help the aged ( I am tempted to go in and ask if they can help me

)

British Heart Foundation

Cancer Research

Red Cross

Hospice care ( idividual to the area they are in)

Animal welfare ( lots of different ones-& my personal favourite)

It was recently reported on the Radio that these charities are not doing too well at the moment as people tend to try and sell stuff on ebay instead of donating.

I am too lazy to do that so I try to do my bit by giving tons of stuff to the shops in the hope that can make a few bucks.

The problem is that some( not all) do seem to forget that the suff is second hand and some things are not that "gently used"!

We also have over here ( what I call) disposable clothes shops, in that the clothing is so cheap you can buy it new wear it for a season or two ( if you are a good laundress!) and then chuck it out!

The worst offender for overpricing is the OXFAM shops and in particular their books, which are very expensive, so I prefer to buy my own books ( my bit of luxury) and then I pass them on to my parents.

I wish I knew someone who was my size ( US size 12 to 14) who appreciate me passing on some of my well cared for clothes......they would have to like classic English style ( I am not and never have been"hip"!)

We don't have Garage sales here, but "Car Boot" sales....load up the car with everything you don't want & meet up at the nearest big open air venue ( a Field/Car Park, a High School etc)

These are BIG business here and many people in the early days found lots of Antiques and stuff.............everyone is wiser now and most of it is just other peoples tat!
But some folks are addicted to them!

Karen

**frugalandsimple** · 03-11-2005, 06:41 AM

The Goodwill where I go, I think the prices are a little high especially on the shirts. When I look at some of the clothing, a lot of it should be thrown out. Another reason, why I don't like going to Goodwill is because the racks are usually so crammed with clothes it makes it difficult what you're looking for. I only go because I might find a pair of black pants for work. I haven't been able to find any that met my standards in the past few weeks.

**jlxian** · 03-11-2005, 09:11 AM

The closest Goodwill is in the next town, 20 miles away. I rarely go there. Our Salvation Army is very reasonably priced and I have found some great stuff there. And they run periodic specials -- got a beautiful like new pink cable knit sweater recently for 50 cents during their "all sweaters 50 cents" day.

Rummage sales/Garage Sales definitely have the best prices -- IF you find a good sale. Some folks are awfully proud of their stuff and price it too high. Needless to say I don't come away with anything at those sales. And then there are the sales that have junk you wouldn't send to the Goodwill/Salvation Army yourself. So I think it is all a matter of finding that right sale or store.

Second hand clothing is a terrific way to buy clothes!

**pita1213** · 03-11-2005, 06:00 PM

i haven't been to garage sales in a few years, but i have been to a couple of our thrift stores. i wasn't impressed wihtquaility or price. most of the items were well beyond gently used. i haven't tried the DAV thrift store yet, so i'm hoping they are more reasonable.