Thrift shops and consignment stores are popular destinations for the frugal-minded, the cash-strapped and the environmentally conscious. Shopping secondhand has myriad benefits, including saving money on everything from clothing and electronics to home goods.
For bargain hunters, the thrill of the find is an added bonus to shopping at thrift and consignment stores. From an official copy of the Declaration of Independence to Vince Lombardi’s West Point sweater, lucky thrifters across the country have uncovered gems that netted them hundreds of thousands of dollars in some cases. While most shoppers will not uncover such high-dollar gems, it’s possible to deepen discounts on already-low prices. Consider these secrets to saving more at secondhand stores.
[See: 12 Shopping Tricks to Keep You Under Budget.]
Gather seasonal clothing for credit. When shopping at consignment stores, it’s important to submit your family’s gently used clothing, shoes and toys for consideration for in-store credit. This will help offset the cost of new-to-you items while cleaning out your closets. Pay attention to the season of clothing accepted by the consignment store, plus the brands and clothing conditions it prefers to increase your chances of having garments accepted.
Shop sale days. Goodwill, Arc Thrift Stores, Savers and secondhand shops host sales every week where you can save 30 percent to 50 percent more on select goods. Learn the sales cycle at your local stores by reviewing their websites or chatting with store associates, and shop during those events.
For example, Goodwill and Arc Thrift Stores host weekly color specials where items marked by a specific color tag are 50 percent off. Savers discounts most items by 50 percent on Saturdays and major holidays, and ThredUp offers additional discounts during holiday events.
Since regular thrift shoppers likely know about these events, it’s important to shop as early as possible to snatch up the best finds and deals.
[See: 10 Money-Saving Websites to Check Before Shopping.]
Join loyalty programs. Like department stores and other retailers, most thrift stores and consignment shops extend extra savings offers to email subscribers and loyalty club members. Club Goodwill Rewards offers a $5 off coupon for approximately every $100 spent, plus notifications about upcoming sales and 15 to 20 percent off discounts during customer appreciation events.
Savers’ Super Savers Club offers benefits including members-only discounts, sale alerts and points accrual for discounts on purchases up to $100. Additionally, members receive up to 50 percent off select items during sale events.
To learn about the loyalty programs offered by your local thrift stores, visit their websites or ask a store associate for details.
Discover designer clothing for less. Online consignment stores ThredUp and The RealReal each offer gently used and new-with-tags apparel, shoes and accessories from such designers as Theory, Alice + Olivia, Rag & Bone and Elizabeth and James. You can also find coupon codes for these sites with savings ranging from 20 to 40 percent.
Shop in high-end areas. Consignment and thrift stores located in wealthy areas are often the recipients of high-quality clothing, shoes, home goods and other items. When you shop in these affluent areas, you’re more likely to find designer labels and name brands at steep markdowns.
[See: 10 Signs You Shop Too Much.]
Share your status. Arc, Goodwill and Savers host weekly Senior Days when seniors receive 30 to 50 percent off regular-priced items during a specified day. Goodwill also offers military members 15 percent off full-price purchases with a valid ID.
If you’re a senior, student, teacher or military member, ask an associate about discounts, even if you can’t find a policy or stated offer. In some cases, associates may extend extra savings as a courtesy.
Receive welcome discounts. Both ThredUp and The RealReal provide new subscriber discounts to shoppers who sign up to receive their emails. If you’re already a member of these sites and want to deepen your savings, simply sign up with a different email address to receive the welcome offer. ThredUp customers can expect a welcome discount of 20 percent, while The RealReal currently offers a $25 credit to new subscribers.
Shop the clearance and special price sections. Thrift shops and consignment stores have clearance and special price sections that you can shop first to receive the most value. Like other retailers, clearance departments are typically stocked with items that are out of season, making them a great value for shoppers who are thinking ahead.
Follow stores on social media. To learn about upcoming sales and events, follow your favorite thrift shops and consignment stores on social media. Like other businesses, these stores may extend exclusive offers to social followers.
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Secret Ways to Save More at Secondhand Stores originally appeared on usnews.com
