What are your thoughts about buying secondhand?

[faeryedark]

I love thrift/ consignment stores and yard sales. I'll buy most things except undies. I will buy shoes if they're in really good condition. Make sure to spray them down really good with anti-fungal before wearing just in case, never had a problem. I got 2 pair of very gently (if at all) used converse for less than 4 bucks. I love Chuck Taylors and had been looking to replace my favs. and ended up finding 2 pairs.
I've also found Noritake china for $2 (for the set) and lots of Legos (sometimes still in the box) for a song.

[couponsmakecents]

Is there any other way to shop

Except for

underwear
shoes

I consider it all fair game. Love to find a deal.

[neverfullprice]

I love thrift stores, but the ones around here are having rediculously high prices! And this is at the Salvation Army Store = Walmart brand jeans - $10 = sometimes more! I would understand a pricy brand for that much, but you can get a new pair for what, $15 at Walmart??

The garage sales aren't much better so I don't go often. When I lived in Indiana I went every Saturday all summer. I have been to only One this year (at the neighbor's house) and we can have sales all year round with our weather. Actually this is the best time of year for them (Late October to Mid March) Then it gets too hot.

Anyway, I agree with the No undies & tennies. I have bought a couple half slips. I just could not see buying one for $15 at Target when I got the thrift store one for $4. I had already got the one at Target but not worn it yet, so I returned it. I felt like I just made $11.

There are some girls in my office who make fun of me and my thrift store finds. They think my couponing is funny too... Whatever - they are young and drowning in debt. They should listen up and learn. :shrug7:

[brixtonrileightaylor]

i love going to yard sales! the thrift stores around here arent that great IMO though.

i have found gymboree clothes that still had tags on them for next to nothing. i used to get alot of baby items when i was pregnant from yard sales.

i bought some used girls clothes on ebay from a lady that was local, well my daugher ended up not being able to wear them cause they wre too small..i paid .99 for each..each lot had 2 seperate outfits..i ended up reselling them on ebay and sold them for $18 each outfit!

[collectorofbells]

I love pointing out that antiques are second and sometimes third hand

that's sorta the whole point to them LOL

I have no problem with thrift store, garage sales, the occasional dumpster dive...LOL

and as for clothes...no undies, shoes only if they don't look worn...you know bought em, got home and they don't match my shirt kinda worn...LOLbut otherwise....why not? there are people that pay big bucks to get jeans that look broken in...somebody else already did that for me! and I figure it's not gonna shrink either!

ya know..as I look around my living room....both couches were bough at the thrift store...$65 a peice....the coffee table is a hand me up (I'm older) from my brother..$0...the side tables and both lamps are hand me downs from Grandma...$0....the entertainment center I bought at a garage sale for $50...the tv was bought at the same garage sale as a gift for me..it was $20...

the only new things are the cd player (a christmas gift) the dvd player (another christmas gift), the vcr ( $50 but it's a couple years old)...and the cat tree! though....the cat tree was built by my brother...he paid for the wood but all the carpet covering it were samples from Menards LOL

[collectorofbells]

What has been your best second hand find or what do you go specifically looking for?

brass bells (I collect), craft stuff-specially stuff that could be turned into a parrot toy, sunflowers ( my kitchen is done in them) and books (tho..I do the library too)

[mama22qts]

I was just talking to someone the other day about a ladies' secretary that I got at an estate sale here. I got it for $100 (it's absolutely gorgeous, all mahogany) and had to have a little restoration done on it. It cost me $300 OOP total. I saw a similar piece from the same time period not too long ago in an antique store here for $800.

I love estate sales! I do yard sales, for sure, and I was just at the Goodwill the other day.

Absolutely love a deal!

[jhall1977]

Our thrift stores suck, & I have never been one to do garage sales. My mil goes every Saturday during the summer though, & she's finds all my 7 yr old's jeans, usually Levis that look brand new. She also got the baby 2 pairs of Nikes that are brand new, paid $1 each pair. Right now, I'm wearing flannel pj pants that she got me, so obviously some 2nd hand stuff doesn't bother me, lol.

[skw6559]

Everything except underclothes. All else is fair game.

[arose304]

I garage sale every week. Love it!! I have a hard time buying anything at the store now. Even sale prices don't match .50 for new pants and things at yard sales. I think I just had my last weekend here in Ohio till spring, makes me very sad:(