7 Secrets to Finding the Best Deals at Thrift Stores!

Do you enjoy going to thrift stores? I have found some very nice clothing pieces, a couple of Halloween costumes and even a desk at thrift stores that have turned out to be amazing. Here are 7 secrets to finding the best deals at thrift stores. So, with a little extra preparation you too can score some great deals.

Secrets to finding the best deals at thrift stores:

1. Visit thrift stores at both the beginning of the year and in the springtime.
2. Go when your store opens.
3. Go on discount days.
4. Shop for your one hit wonder items.
5. Items to repurpose.
6. Shop when colleges let out for summer.
7. Purchase items you may not have considered to buy there before.

Secret #1: Visit thrift stores at both the beginning of the year and in the springtime.

Visiting thrift stores at the beginning of the new year can help you to score some great deals. During the colder months leading up to the holidays, people tend to clean out their homes in preparation for new items to come. They want to make room for new holiday gifts and purchases they will make. Some people also like to donate at this time to be able to possibly get a tax right off for their donations. This means store inventory could be plentiful and there will be a lot of items to choose from.

Another great time to go to the thrift store is in the spring. As the weather begins to get nicer, people like to spring clean and donate some of their things they no longer need. Along with the nicer weather, is a time some people like to move. Another reason for spring cleaning and donating items they do not want to haul with them. What one person may think is not worth bringing with them, can be a treasure for someone else to have.

Some items of coarse may be for a different season than you are shopping for. If you find a great deal on something you know will be of great use consider buying it now. Just don't forget where you put it so that you can use it when you need it.

Secret #2: Go when your store opens.

Like the saying goes, the early birds gets the worm. This can apply to shopping early too. Find out what time your thrift store opens and make a plan to go at that time. This will be a time when things have not yet been picked over. If merchandise was put out at the end of the night the night before, you will have first pick of the items. Also, merchandise may have been put out before opening that morning.

Your store may put out items throughout the day as well. Racks that have been brought out from the back, may be able to be gone through before that merchandise is put on the floor racks. Making for another great time for first dibs at new merchandise being brought out. If what is already out is not what you are looking for, watch for these racks to be brought out while you are there shopping. Just ask if you can go ahead and look through them first.

It can be exciting knowing that you have first dibs on the day's newest merchandise. It can also make it worth it to head out a little earlier than you may usually go. Some of my favorite items have come from thrift stores. Stopping by early has helped me to score some of them.

Secret #3: Go on discount days.

Did you know you could save even more than usual at some thrift stores on certain days? There are particular days of the week for example when certain tags are discounted. Just when we thought the deals could not get any better. Call to find out if your local thrift store has these discount days.

Was there an item you wished you would have purchased another time you visited? When checking to see if it is still there, it also may just be your lucky day when it is discounted even more on the day you go back. On these days if you can, as mentioned in secret #2, try going when they open to avoid merchandise being picked over. You can be one of the first to scour the best deals.

Secret #4: Shop for your one hit wonder items.

Are you in need of something to use only one time and don't want to have to spend a lot of money on it? How about Halloween costumes for example? Thrift stores are a fantastic place to look for these types of items.

Check to see when your local store begins putting out particular items you are looking for. Try to go when the store opens and check back often. As merchandise is continually being put out you will have a better chance of finding what you are looking for. Although it may not be there one day, it could be the next.

Secret #5: Items to repurpose.

While shopping at thrift stores, keep an eye out for items that could be used for something other than it is originally purposed for. There have been times when I have gone to a thrift store to look for something in particular, and came away with something completely different to repurpose it for.

Some examples could be, when you see stemless drinking glasses, ask yourself if they could also be used for a DIY centerpiece? Could a large picture frame be turned it into a bulletin board by adding cork in the center of it?

Another idea is when it comes to making DIYs. Thrift stores sell many different types of items that you may be able to use for your DIYs. Remember to check them out when you are looking for particular pieces to make these projects with. There is a possibility the items you need will cost you much less there.

Secret #6: Shop when colleges let out for summer.

Take a little extra time and research to see if there are any thrift stores near some of your local colleges. You could land incredible deals on certain items. When students are leaving college for the summer, they don't always want to bring home all of the items they have. Especially bigger, bulkier items. Some great items to score may be floor lamps, mini refrigerators and futons.

Are you moving and in need of some of these types of items? Do you have a child that will be going off to college soon? If you have a little extra space to store some things, you may just save a lot of money scoring these types of items at thrift stores.

Secret #7: Purchase items you may not have considered to buy there before.

Are you looking for something in particular to purchase and just waiting for it to go on sale? I have scored some terrific deals on items that I had not even considered to purchase at thrift stores before. There was no reason I did not consider looking there. But when I did and saw similar items I had been wanting and they were in great shape, I bought them. I was ecstatic to have found these gems and at such incredible prices. One example was a desk. I had been looking for a white desk in a particular price range for months. I found a very sturdy, flawless looking brown desk at the thrift store. I purchased it, sanitized it and we painted it white. I saved a huge amount of money.

When you go thrift store shopping enjoy the search for finding great items. Remember to look over each item to make sure there are no tears, stains and that items are not broken. Is there something you love that you have bought second hand? Please share with us in the comment section.