Quick Tips for Buying Secondhand at the Thrift Store

Whether you call it a consignment shop or a thrift store, you can't beat some of the good deals. But it's not a bargain if it's something you don't need. It's important to come up with a plan before you embark on a thrifting spree. Here are six tips for successful thrift shopping.

Have a Budget in Mind

Sure, you're looking for a great deal and that can be found at flea markets, garage sales, and thrift stores. But it's still possible to spend more than you anticipated. Even the smallest things can quickly end up. Before heading to the thrift store, come up with a budget and keep it in mind. Credit cards make it easy to stick to your budget.

You can keep track of how much you're spending. And if you end up at the flea market or a garage sale, you're going to need cash on hand.

Have an Open Mind

The thrill of going to a thrift store is to find something unique at a great price. You'll never know what you're going home with. But that also creates a frustrating experience since thrift shopping takes more time than other types of shopping. Maybe you're looking for a certain item, but you end up with something else. Prepare yourself for your plan to change at the last minute.

Come Prepared

You never know when you'll come across a treasure in your travels. Maybe you spot a deal that's too good to pass. Prepare your vehicle in case you end up with a big ticket item. This means keeping bungee cords, blankets, and a tape measure on hand. This helps you determine if that antique chair or nightstand will fit in your bedroom and if you can transport it in your vehicle.

Don't Expect Perfection

When you're shopping at the flea market, garage sale, or thrift store, you want to look for something that has potential. There's a chance when you'll see a rare piece of furniture that you can't live without. Maybe you can transform that piece into something incredible and beautiful. If you want to rework a piece of furniture, but you're not sure if you're the right person for the job, then you should start small with this project.

Maybe a new coat or two can change up the look. Or, maybe you'll want to experiment with a new design or buffing technique and see how that goes.

Have the Right Colors in Mind

You should have an idea of what colors you're looking for. Finding the right item of clothing or piece of furniture that's in the color you're looking for can make thrift shopping a pleasant experience. What makes even more special is that you find something so unique and rare that you can make it all your home. Maybe it's a vintage blouse that you can wear with your new two-piece suit. Or, it's a brightly colored throw pillow that adds some pop to your living room.

Be Choosy With Fabrics

It's not exciting to buy something in fabric from the thrift store. It's hard to find fabric that looks like it hasn't been used in decades. If it has a little fur on it, then you can roll or sweep it away. When you're shopping for fabric items, you'll want to look out for rips, tears, and stains.

Most fabric items may have food stains, pet stains, or something else strange on it. If you inspect the cushions and pillows, and you see bug carcasses or food crumbs, then don't go any further. If the fabric item looks stain-free and doesn't have anything on it, then a professional cleaning service is enough to make it look like new again. If you're interested in fabric furniture that's in perfect shape, but just old, then slide on covers will do the trick.

Keep your style in mind when going thrift shopping. You don't want to end up with a mismatched wardrobe or out of place furniture. Avoid decoration confusing by determining whether not the item matches your style.