Four Mistakes First Time Secondhand Shoppers Make and How to Avoid Them

As a seasoned secondhand enthusiast, I find myself frequently pinpointing mistakes that I see newer thrifters make, which end up making the shopping process much less enjoyable and successful. So, to help others out, I’ve rounded up four of them here—you will definitely want to avoid these pitfalls if amazing finds are what you desire. 

Not giving a certain venue enough of a chance. 

You can’t go to a specific thrift store, flea market, or antiques mall just once and then swear that you’ll never set foot there again simply because you struck out on your first visit. Unless you’ve truly stumbled upon a dud of a setting (think: dingy, dusty items or majorly overpriced finds), it’s always worth giving it a second chance.

As someone who frequents the same flea market most weekends, there are definitely days where I leave with only one item (or sometimes, nothing!), while other weekends I score big and am carrying multiple tote bags bursting with great finds.

Flea markets are historically hit or miss, and one has to accept that as part of the shopping process. To me, not knowing what (or how much) I’ll find during a given visit is what makes secondhand shopping so fun!

I live for the thrill of the hunt, and when I set out for the flea in the morning, it’s exciting to me to wonder whether or not I’ll score big that day. And if I don’t, I know not to write the flea off for good and can instead simply view that visit as an off day. 

Going in with too specific of a list.

As stated above, one of the joys of secondhand shopping is never knowing exactly what you’ll come across. If you go into a venue with too specific of a list, you may end up narrowing your search too much and missing out on other amazing items all around you simply because you were laser-focused on finding, say, a blue vase with brown polka dots. Plus, if a given sale or market doesn’t have what it is you’ve been wanting, you may leave disappointed, rather than having accumulated a mix of other finds that may just fit into your home perfectly.

Of course, many people do set out to estate sales after having spotted a specific item in the preview photos, but once they’ve successfully snagged that piece, they should be sure to do a lap or two around the rest of the home to take everything else in. If a venue has one item that speaks to you, it will most likely have many more, after all! 

Not coming prepared to transport items.

If you’re going to be shopping at a flea market, it’s smart to bring some large, reusable bags (or even an over-sized roller bag like the Hulken) to make transporting your finds while walking nice and easy.

While vendors often have a few bags on hand, I’ve found from my personal experience that they’re generally flimsy (and sometimes dirty!), so I like to come prepared with my own canvas totes.

If you’re going to be transporting larger items home in the car (think: mirrors, bar carts, coffee tables, and the like) packing some bubble wrap or blankets with you is always smart to prevent breakage and scratches.

A little preparation will go a long way in ensuring your precious finds make it home safely! 

Not secondhand shopping when you travel.

Some of my favorite secondhand finds are those I’ve picked up on my travels! While I’ve greatly enjoyed flea market hopping in Paris and strolling up and down Portobello Road in London, there’s truly no need to travel far to collect some amazing treasures.

For example, I recently stumbled into a charming thrift shop off the highway in Vermont. The store was filled with tons of beautiful glassware, largely for $5 and below, and I left with a big bag full of goodies. The prices were significantly better than they’d ever be where I live, and the pieces I bought will forever remind me of that weekend trip and impromptu thrift run.

Whether you’re on a road trip or spending a few days in a bustling city, it’s always worth mapping out a few markets, estate sales, or thrift stores to pop into—you never know what you might find that you never would’ve come across back home. 

Written by:

Sarah Lyon

March 28, 2025     Updated 02:04 PM

Sarah Lyon is a Washington, DC, native living in New York City. As a freelancer, she frequently covers pieces pertaining to interior design, travel, and other lifestyle topics. Her pieces have appeared in outlets including Apartment Therapy, Architectural Digest, MyDomaine, the Washington Post, the New York Times, and more. When she isn't writing, Sarah works with designers to help them style spaces for photo shoots (and can't stop rearranging and redecorating her own apartment, either!). She has a penchant for shopping secondhand and loves giving preloved pieces new life. Sarah’s own spaces have appeared on Apartment Therapy, The Everygirl, Houzz, and Washingtonian.com. Her Dupont Circle apartment was featured in both the spring 2019 print edition of Small Space Decorating and the January 2019 print edition of Washingtonian Magazine.

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