8 Awesome Thrift Store Items People Often Miss
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Here’s a little-known fact about the Goodwill store in your town or neighborhood: It does not exist to sell low-cost goods to poor people. Goodwill’s mission is to put disabled or disadvantaged people to work, and the money generated from the store supports that mission. Along the way, the stores teach job skills, and redirect some 3 billion pounds of castoff goods from landfills to reuse in someone’s home.
From maternity clothes to office furniture, thrift stores such Goodwill have a little bit of everything. Some of it is more valuable than others. The next time you’re out on a thrift adventure, keep your eyes out for these items that have the most value.
1. Tools and goods with lifetime warranties
Some Craftsman hand tools carry a lifetime warranty, which states if “this Craftsman hand tool ever fails to provide complete satisfaction, it will be repaired or replaced free of charge.” You can return Craftsman hand tools covered by the lifetime warranty at Sears (which owns Craftsman). Cutco brand knives, scissors and shears carry a similar no fuss guarantee that allows you to send the product back. For thrift shoppers, this means whatever condition the tool, a new or like new one can be had with minimal effort.
2. Branded high quality clothing
Check the label. Apparel from stores like Old Navy or Target are cheap and won’t last long. Apparel from higher quality department store or boutique brands will. Most thrift stores will price these goods accordingly. You may even find an arbitrage opportunity here. For example, there’s a thriving reseller market in new and lightly used Lululemon yoga apparel. To see if you’ve found a deal, carry your smartphone and check prices on eBay.
For lightly damaged clothing or shoes – or pieces that don’t fit – ask for a discount and then head to your tailor or cobbler for alteration and repair.
3. New clothing with tags
Speaking of lively reseller markets, lots of people donate brand new, never worn, still with the sales tags on clothing. Check the label, and then eBay on your smartphone to see if you can sell it for more.