Thrift store rules
After many, many years of thrift store shopping I'd like to share some of my guidelines I follow when buying from thrift stores. Many people are unaware of the fact that just because you can get a deal on something you want, does not make it a good buy. Whether you're buying vintage clothing or computer parts, nothing is more disappointing than returning home to find the item you bought wasn't what you expected or had flaws. So..here's some tips to help you out when thrifting:
1. Before you even go anywhere make sure to have cash on hand. I cannot begin to describe how many times I've been waiting inline only find out the store's credit swiper is broken or non-existent. This means you have to put back what you collected, go pull cash out, drive back and hope your items have not been bought. This puts you in a bad mood and can ruin your day. Avoid this by just taking some cash out or cashing your coins at the Coinstar.
2. DO NOT get frustrated when faced with disappointment. I cannot tell you how many times I've traveled long and far to a quaint little store to find out there was nothing I wanted to buy. It happens. This rule applies to sellers more so than buyers but it can work both ways. If you don't find anything at one particular store, try to hit up another on your way back home. If not, try to go again on a different day or find other stores to go to.
3. TRY to be patient when in line. Having 50 or so people in front of you with one cashier just doesn't work for me some days. If I know the item I'm buying is worth the trouble I'll wait but most of the time it's not. Decide if it's worth it to you. Sometimes the best thing to do is walk out. You might have something else important to do that day which might be more important. Time is a valuable thing to waste in life.
These are important rules to follow when out and about. Not just in thrift stores but anywhere you might go. Have cash, don't get flustered and keep your cool. I know these statements sound like common sense but as you might know, common sense isn't that common.
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