What Are the Benefits of Secondhand Shopping?

In 2016, a man bought a sketch at an estate sale for $30 -- which turned out to be 500-year-old masterpiece worth nearly $50 million. While a find this big is rare, it's far from the only example of thrifters finding valuable secondhand products for cheap.

But, these aren't the only benefits of secondhand shopping. 

In this article, we discuss the top benefits of thrifting secondhand clothes, secondhand furniture, and more. We even discuss how to find quality furniture at a discount. Read on to make the most out of your next thrift.

Budget-friendly Secondhand Goods 

One of the most sought-after benefits of secondhand shopping is the budget-friendly price of secondhand products. Some thrift stores also offer deals on certain items to help move inventory. 

Knowing when these deals occur can help you make the most of these deals if you're on a tight budget. Since these deals often align with new inventory, you can also follow up with a second visit to see if items have dropped in price. 

While thrift stores might seem like the most obvious place to find secondhand goods, online and in-person estate sales and auctions are another great way to score amazing finds. These sales offer deep discounts on a wide array of personal property ranging from high end furniture to kitchen gadgets, books and more. 

High-quality Secondhand Products

Some people make the faulty assumption that secondhand clothes or other secondhand products mean low-quality. While it's true that these products come in a variety of conditions, many of them are in top shape.

Some items even come in like-new condition but are sold at a heavily discounted price. You could also spend the same (or a lower) amount at the thrift store or estate sale than at a boutique or popular big-box store and get items of higher quality. 

Thrift Stores & Estate Sales Offer a Wide Variety

One of the top benefits of thrifting is the wide selection of secondhand products you can find. Thrift stores have many of the same "departments" associated with superstores. 

This includes secondhand clothes, secondhand furniture, and secondhand appliances. Since you have a good chance of finding high-quality items at a good price, it's a great place to start if you're looking for something specific. 

If you don't have the patience to sift through items in-person, daily searches for specific items on sites like Facebook Marketplace or AuctionNinja can be a great way to unearth a diamond in the rough.

The Possibility of a Hidden Gem

If you know how to find quality furniture at a discount, or any other belongings, then you have a higher probability of finding a hidden gem. 

This includes rare antique furniture, designer clothes, and valuable jewels. These items have value well-beyond their price tag, even if they need some minor restoration.

Good for the Environment

The environmental benefits of thrifting often get overlooked, but they are one of the most important. When you choose secondhand products, you are lessening the demand for new ones.

This means fewer clothes need to be made and reduced pollution from the manufacturing process. This also means that fewer belongings end up in landfills, which is important for humans, animals, and marine life. 

Great for DIY

Do-it-yourself-ers (DIY) should consider the benefits of thrift stores to their work. If you know how to find quality furniture at a discount, you can easily find something to transform for your next project.

Many secondhand furniture made it to the thrift store or estate sale because it was built to last the test of time. You can easily achieve a modern look on a classic piece by repainting and replacing old hardware.

Make the Most of the Benefits of Secondhand Shopping

If you want to make the most out of the benefits of secondhand shopping, you need to use the right approach. Shopping at a thrift store, estate sale or auction requires different knowledge than other stores because inventory is always changing.

You may never see the same thing twice and have to know what to look for. Many of the best items may not seem like it at first, so it's important to build some general knowledge of how to spot high-value items.

Know What You're Looking For

Thrift stores usually specialize in certain goods such as secondhand clothes or secondhand furniture, even if they carry other items as well. Some thrift stores may even have an informal reputation for carrying certain items.

Do your research in advance based on the kinds of items you want to find. It's also helpful to know when these stores put out "new" items or when they offer additional discounts. 

Do a Quick Browse

While you should have a gameplan for thrifting, you should also leave time for browsing. Just because you chose a particular thrift store, or estate sale for its secondhand furniture doesn't mean you won't find great jewelry there.

One of the benefits of thrifting is that you never know what you'll find. However, keeping an open mind is not the same as impulse-buying. Always take a few minutes to consider whether you really need an item.

Consider Tailoring Secondhand Clothes

A common mistake made by those new to secondhand clothes is only looking for their specific size. You should start in your size range, but you should try shopping for sizes that are slightly larger as well. 

This gives you more opportunities to find something great. If you find something that doesn't fit, you can get it tailored for an affordable price. A used, tailored shirt from a high-end designer is usually still a small fraction of what that item would cost brand new.

Shop Off-season

When seasons change, many people clear out their old belongings to make room for new ones. One of the benefits of secondhand shopping is that many of these belongings end up at thrift stores and are gently used.

Shopping off-season is one of the best ways to find the best merchandise. This means searching for sweaters in the spring and patio furniture in the fall.

Learn To Identify Quality Items

Learning how to find quality furniture at a discount or how to tell a designer jacket from a cheap knock-off is the key to success while thrifting. The list below outlines some details to look for. 

• Metal zippers
• Natural fibers
• Quality seams
• Brand names
• Feels sturdy or durable

 

If you aren't sure whether something is worth buying, feel it. If it feels like it is well-made and durable, the odds of it being a quality item are high. You should also learn popular brand names and icons for quick identification.

Start Enjoying the Benefits of Thrifting

The benefits of secondhand shopping range from saving money to finding high-quality items for your next DIY project. If you know how to find quality secondhand products, your money will be well-spent.

If you want your next find to be great, check out our marketplace. 

 

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