The Frustrations of Thrifting
As I mentioned in my Old Window Post, I love DIY/craft projects and have many projects I would like to do if I could find certain items at the right price. I was fortunate enough to have Columbus Day off of work and figured it’d be a great day to thrift store shop. “Thrifting” is pretty new to me and I typically only go to look for stuff I can refurbish for the house (furniture, decorations, etc.). I have friends and read about all the great clothing finds at thrift stores but I’m just not on that level yet.. I’ll just stick with my clearance clothes shopping!
Anyways.. I went to 4 different thrift stores and left with a small basket and just feeling FRUSTRATED!!! So let me warn you, I’m about to have a venting session! I have found that the thrift stores in this area are ridiculously overpriced. I don’t know if it’s because people are using pinterest ideas and it’s making used items more desirable but $65 for an ugly framed picture that I want just for the frame is outrageous… I mean most of these stores getting their items for FREE! I’ve seen lamps for sell for $20, which is ridiculous. Believe me, there is a reason someone gave it away…because it was ugly and needed some TLC to be desirable again. I am not going to pay the same price for a lamp that I have to put time and money into that I would pay for a new lamp at Home Goods. I saw floral arrangements at one thrift store for $50!!! That’s about what they would charge at Michael’s for that arrangement. Will anyone seriously pay that price for a used flower arrangement? I realize that the thrift stores have to make money but the markup on these items has gotten out of control. I know the price is somewhat negotiable but these prices are often way too far from what I am willing to pay and not worth asking. I also start thinking that if these prices are too high for me (I work in Marketing and my husband works in IT), then who can afford and is willing to pay those prices? My conclusion is that I better start shopping at the thrift stores during their sales or bargain days because this girl is too frugal for those non-thrifty price tags!
Am I the only one that has observed this while thrifting? Or maybe you can recommend a good thrift store to check out in the Madison/Huntsville Alabama area?