What do you not buy at thrift stores?

Discussion in Fashion & Apparel started by andrew320 • May 30, 2012.

  1. andrew320

    andrew320Active Member

    Joined:
    May 28, 2012
    Threads:
    83
    Messages:
    422
    Likes Received:
    2
    Over the past year, I decided to shop at thrift stores, such as Value Village, especially for dress shirts. I have this problem where the collar goes yellow so it's a waste of money to buy brand new shirts all the time (I will on occasion). I also buy a pair of pants twice a year at a thrift shop, like Tommy Hilfiger pants. I would never buy shoes or a blazer from there.

    What do you not buy a thrift stores? Would you even shop at one?
     
  2. beckyv1265

    beckyv1265Active Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2012
    Threads:
    6
    Messages:
    159
    Likes Received:
    0
    I buy many things from my thrift store. I can't think of anything I wouldn't buy. I can usually spend about 50 dollars and out fit all 5 of my boys. I have also bought toys and games and dishes. They break everything so fast and grow so fast I would be broke if I had to pay store prices.
     
  3. AnonaMoss

    AnonaMossActive Member

    Joined:
    May 16, 2012
    Threads:
    8
    Messages:
    174
    Likes Received:
    1
    I would not buy flipflops from a thrift store because they are so cheap. I've purchased designer boots in the past that were in very good condition. I'm not against shoes if they are in good condition and nice quality. I would not buy jeans because most of the time the jeans look out-dated. I would not purchase things that are personal/intimate -- such as socks and loungewear.
     
  4. hanzuke50

    hanzuke50Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2012
    Threads:
    3
    Messages:
    94
    Likes Received:
    1
    I think, for me, it's an unwritten rule to not buy underwear from thrift stores. You can't wash off the though that some stranger's genitals have been on the briefs you're putting on. Anything else, for me, is all cool though. xD
     
  5. dissn_it

    dissn_itActive Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2012
    Threads:
    29
    Messages:
    985
    Likes Received:
    8
    Shoes, socks, undergarmets, towels and bedding are all on my "no" list. I usually shop for tools and housewares when I go to a thrift store so I rarely even look at clothing.
     
  6. nherie

    nherieMember

    Joined:
    May 11, 2012
    Threads:
    3
    Messages:
    68
    Likes Received:
    1
    Socks, underwear, bras, etc unless they were prepackaged. Like if someone donated an unopened pack of Hanes Her Way, I would buy them. I also wouldn't purchase shoes because I have heard that you can get warts that way. Don't know how true that is. I wouldn't buy sweat clothes. I try to stick with jeans, pants, and sweaters.
     
  7. Cheseloo

    CheselooMember

    Joined:
    May 31, 2012
    Threads:
    2
    Messages:
    28
    Likes Received:
    1
    Mmmmm I just can't get with the smell of thrift stores not that I have anything against them. It may just be childhood trauma when my grandmother used to make me shop at Goodwill with her, she even purchased my girl scout uniformed used from there!
     
  8. Esperahol

    EsperaholActive Member

    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2012
    Threads:
    106
    Messages:
    694
    Likes Received:
    5
    Things that generally are not purchased from thift stores are personal items like - underwear, towels, and bedding. Otherwise it doesn't really matter.
     
  9. happyrocinante

    happyrocinanteBanned

    Joined:
    May 7, 2012
    Threads:
    46
    Messages:
    109
    Likes Received:
    1
    I don't buy any undergarments, sheets, towels, or shoes from thrift stores. It is mainly because either it's "icky" or they are generally too worn to be helpful anyway. I also can't buy anything there for my husband because of his size and his tastes. He is impossible. He tends to wear mainly dark colors like black which fades quickly so buying second hand faded clothes wouldn't really be smart. I have to buy all his things new but luckily he doesn't need new clothes often.
     
  10. beckyv1265

    beckyv1265Active Member

    Joined:
    May 10, 2012
    Threads:
    6
    Messages:
    159
    Likes Received:
    0
    I found a beautiful matching bed set. It had curtains and bedspread and sheets. I just had the spread dry cleaned and washed the sheets in vinegar. Anything can be cleaned and disinfected. The set only cost me 5 dollars.
     
  11. Parker

    ParkerWell-Known Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2012
    Threads:
    38
    Messages:
    2,118
    Likes Received:
    59
    I thought I would never buy anything from a thrift store. Then a couple of years ago, a friend dragged me to one. That opened my eyes. There are some seriously great bargains to be had. The things I would never buy are used shoes and underwear. Nope.
     
  12. AlwaysAMama

    AlwaysAMamaActive Member

    Joined:
    May 2, 2012
    Threads:
    17
    Messages:
    146
    Likes Received:
    0
    Undergarments, towels, bedding, and I generally do not purchase shoes used unless they are baby shoes or were barely used. Its band for your feet to wear someone elses shoes as they have been molded by that persons arch.
     
  13. hunysukle

    hunysukleActive Member

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2012
    Threads:
    82
    Messages:
    379
    Likes Received:
    4
    I would never, under ANY circumstance, purchase bras, underwear, socks, used body products, hair accessories (rubber bands, headbands, etc.). I have, however, purchased shoes, accessories (belts), jewelry, and clothing from thrift stores without any problems.
     
  14. love2loveu

    love2loveuMember

    Joined:
    May 18, 2012
    Threads:
    16
    Messages:
    69
    Likes Received:
    3
    I do believe that the most common item that people would not buy from a thrift shop is under garments.
     
  15. mariaandrea

    mariaandreaMember

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2012
    Threads:
    5
    Messages:
    93
    Likes Received:
    0
    I shop at Value Village and Goodwill all the time and I don't think I've ever seen undergarments even sold there. I don't buy shoes, but that's it. Everything else is fair game. And I always wash everything really well that I buy before I use it. Like Becky said, anything can be disinfected and then it's perfectly fine. It's a great way to outfit a kitchen for very little money - I've gotten some great dishes and cookware.
     
  16. clauemi

    clauemiActive Member

    Joined:
    Mar 26, 2012
    Threads:
    19
    Messages:
    138
    Likes Received:
    10
    I don't buy any clothing, shoes, anything that I would have to wear. Honestly some clothes do look decent but you never know what the previous owner was like, they could have been super gross. I also don't buy toys since you never know if they are missing parts or too old to be safe.
     
  17. j_pin

    j_pinActive Member

    Joined:
    Mar 28, 2012
    Threads:
    70
    Messages:
    182
    Likes Received:
    1
    Cups and dishes because that really bothers me for some reason and UNDERWEAR! How do they sell underwear at the thrift store?? I have seen this before a few times and it greatly disturbs me.
     
  18. Sandra Piddock

    Sandra PiddockExpert

    Joined:
    Mar 29, 2012
    Threads:
    24
    Messages:
    757
    Likes Received:
    3
    Yes, that's about my list as well, although I will buy shoes if the look unworn. I look at the soles, because that's the real giveaway. I've bought some beautiful formal wear from thrift shops in the past, and as long as there is no 'musty' smell in evidence when I enter the shop, I'll rummage through the rails for bargains. On more than one occasion, I've bought good quality clothes with the store label still attached.
     
  19. kittykarina

    kittykarinaActive Member

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2012
    Threads:
    0
    Messages:
    146
    Likes Received:
    0
    I would never buy undergarments from a thrift store. You never know who wore them. Everything else is fine. I buy used clothing and accessories from thrift stores all the time.
     
  20. Waynefire

    WaynefireActive Member

    Joined:
    May 24, 2012
    Threads:
    31
    Messages:
    183
    Likes Received:
    3
    The main things I cannot bring myself to buying from a thrift store is the underwear or socks. These are to close to the persons skin and can easily lead to an infection of some type which is possible. However, I know they are supposed to clean these items, but still if they are not in the brand new wrapper I do not feel comfortable wearing them.