Good time of year to thrift shop?

**mikandmari** · 01-01-2009, 05:02 PM

My local newspaper ran an article this week about how many people donate to their local thrift shops just before the end of the year to get the tax write-off. Combine that with the fact that many people don't shop as much after the holidays, and I'm thinking that the next couple of weeks may be a good time to visit my area thrift shops!

Anyone else find good deals this time of year? I wonder how long it takes to get stuff out on the shelves for sale?

Maybe I'll do some shopping next week... I'll report back if it was better than usual.

**homesteadmamma** · 01-01-2009, 05:13 PM

The one thrift store I go to always has excellant prices. In the fall and spring they have bag sales. Fill your bag for $3.00.

As to the thrift stores in the city, I haven't seen where they have too many sales. Value Village does once in awhile, however I find their prices quite high, even with their sales.

**Sara Noel** · 01-01-2009, 05:14 PM

Locally, I've discovered before Christmas to be best. And inventory to be low after Christmas.

**mommy4ever** · 01-01-2009, 05:19 PM

I wish we could get tax receipts here, as we donate often and quite a bit! (4 kids and a daycare). But Canada doesn't do that.

I wait for garage sales, those are the best prices.

**MomK** · 01-01-2009, 08:14 PM

My mother reported that she had cleaned out closets and went to donate items, and there was a line of vehicles trying to donate. That was on Monday, 12/29. I'm thinking that there will be lots of inventory this time of year for that reason.

I'm gonna check it out Friday morning...I'll report back! Good luck, everyone!

**claimsgirl66** · 01-02-2009, 04:29 PM

I just went to the local Goodwill here, a large store & always well stocked. I needed a new cordless phone/answering machine as mine finally died. I was on my way to Target but decided to pop into Goodwill. I happened to see a GE phone there for $6 and picked it up. Works fine, but I had to clear the last phone calls from memory on the caller ID, and all the calls were dated last week....so I figure some folks had just gotten rid of some stuff!
Also saved myself about $30 by buying a used item rather than new!!

**redmaples** · 01-02-2009, 05:19 PM

good tip, i'm going tomorrow to drop off stuff & to shop

**HandyMom** · 01-02-2009, 08:33 PM

I don't know about the volume of donations this time of year but I do know that Fri & Mon are the most crowded days of the week at our thrift stores. Value village just had their half-off everything coupons last week. I don't usually go shopping at the thrift stores when the weather is very cold and/or snowy so I also would not be donating much during the winter either. My last few stops at the thrift stores were disappointing.

**missyali** · 01-02-2009, 09:39 PM

I plan on dropping some stuff off tomorrow at a kids' consignment store and I image others may be too as they need to make room for the new stuff. I can't image many people will be buying as there may be a "Christmas hangover" right now. I want to check out one Monday when I go back to work; they have half-off Mondays. Looking through the closet this weekend to find areas to supplement.