I love, love, love to find a good thrift store! Around in my area, there are mostly consignment stores and a few Goodwills. The really good thrift stores are downtown and Rice Village (let me know if you have a favorite in Houston) and in many cities they tend to be by local colleges.
I wrote about the dress you see below HERE when I was desperately looking for something for Luau week at my kids school. I found it at Goodwill, FOR $6!!! It still had the tags still on it! The brand is Annalee + Hope, I have seen that brand before online, they have cute stuff! I think it was perfect for luau week and I will be able to wear it again and it is super comfy!
Thrift, resale and salvage stores can be a great place for hidden treasures. Use these tips to maximize your trips and find your deals. And they aren’t just for clothing! You can find dent and scratch, discontinued, packaging errors, and much more at discount grocery outlets!
Thrift Store Shopping Tips
Check out the store. And not just the outside of the store. Some stores are in total dive neighborhoods yet have clean, organized thrift stores and vice versa.
Educate yourself. If you are looking for specific items, know what their value is. Check their retail price on Amazon and resale price on eBay.
Have a plan. Don’t just wander. Figure out the best way to shop the stores you visit regularly. Up and down each aisle, searching from top to bottom works in many cases. Rack by rack in clothing stores. Pay attention to tag sales (Goodwill and Salvation Army Stores often have certain colors on sale on certain days.)
Take a friend. Not only can it be a great adventure and day out, having an extra set of eyes never hurts when you are looking for specific items
Inspect the products. Check inside boxes for all parts, look at shirts to make sure all the buttons are there, bend all moving parts and in food items, ALWAYS look for damage. Some damage on food product are acceptable like torn boxes when there is a fully intact bag inside. Unacceptable damage are severe dents in cans that are sharp as they may have broken open and allowed oxygen or other elements in.
Talk to the employees/owners. Friendly is better. Also, having a discussion with them will tell you a lot about the business. Especially with in discounted foods, finding out when the deliveries come and planning to shop on the days that it hits the floor will give you the best selection and the best chance of getting higher quality products.
Budget. Since you never know what you are going to find, know what you are willing or able to spend.
Be flexible. If you are looking for a specific household item, be willing to settle on a similar item if you can’t find what you wanted. Maybe you are looking for an entertainment center and a bookshelf will work.
Check dates. This obviously applies to food. And going back to the educate point above: know not only the regular retail price but also sale prices of items & learn the difference between “sell by”, “use by” and “best by” dates.
Clean it up. All clothing, bedding, any thing cloth really, should be laundered in hot water as soon as it arrives in your house. Not only do you not know for sure if it’s been on the floor, a friend reminded me that bedbugs are making a come back. As for food, it is in your best interest to rinse any cans, plastic and especially produce with warm (and for cans/plastic, soapy) water before you put it in your cupboard. Even if the establishment is clean and well kept, you never know the full distribution line behind the store.
Brendalicious says
Family Thrift Center: You can sign up for their discount card. Buy during the week and save up to 50% off on your Sunday purchases.
Lisa Brady says
My sister and I frequent the Family Thrift Store in Pasadena on Southmore. Yesterday I scored a totally cute tunic sweater with a cool 70’s graphic design–tags still on it–for $4 and change. Got home and looked up the designer and discovered it was 100% Cashmere and worth $470…lots of Google pics of Celebs wearing them. Crazy. My sister scored an almost new pair of adorable Tony Lama boots for $14, a pair of Bass leather brogues for $5 and a Gap watch plaid p-coat for $4. Come on!
Dawn says
Great list of tips! We recently relocated from Oklahoma City to Houston. Since our move, I’ve been unable to find any amazing thrift stores. By the term “amazing” I mean the kind that have great pricing or special sale days. I have made a list of stores that I have been to and some I have found on the internet and have yet to visit. I carry this list in my car. I pull out my list and navigation system any time I have to head into the city or leave my neighborhood area. Would love to hear about any favorite thrift stores, as well!!
Harmony says
I hear there are some great cheap thrift stores out there. Here in San Diego they run a little pricey. I went the other day and a shirt was $8 bucks :/ BUT today my favorite thrift store has everything 50% off!
Shannon S. says
Don’t forget to check out local churches because a lot of them have thrift stores associated with them and that are either on the same property or nearby. They are usually run by volunteers from the church and the prices are amazing!
Charity says
I am a thrift store addict! Have been shopping thrift stores since childhood and I know where and what to look for. In Houston the best stuff can be found at any Goodwill, but their prices are higher (example: $9.99 women’s jacket). Salvation Army is cheaper, offers 50% off clothing/shoes days (Wednesday and Saturday where I am), but the better stuff isn’t usually there. I can count on Salvation Army for silver plate, cut glass, books, and Levi’s. But Goodwill carries new Talbots cashmere sweaters with tags for $5.99 ($139 retail) and Nine West boots for $14.99 ($89 retail). I’m always happy to find Children’s Place denim shorts for $1.99 and Tupperware bowls for $3.99. Just ask me, I have them all!
Anonymous says
Hi visiting the Houston area in the Rice Village community. Are there any thrift/resale store in the area I can go to?
margaret says
in other parts of the country, goodwills generally mark down prices based on color tags each week. Here in Spring, I know they do not do that for clothing items. Are there any around this general area that do that?
maria says
where are the best places to go in spring, texas for home stuff? I’m talking about fun home items. I’m so scared of thrift stores and I have no idea why! I guess its just the mentality of things being used. I know I need to get over it.
margaret says
dont really find too many fun home items in thrift stores around here, but Still Goode on Louetta road has great home stuff. Some reasonable, some not as much. Also another place (forgot the name) on 1960 just east of TC Jester. (on the south side)…they have a blue and yellow sign and they are a tall two story building with double porches. Next to Mr. Bubbles.
maria says
Oh! I think I know what you’re talking about on 1960, I think its just called “consignment store” or something LOL but I like still goode, but they are so darn expensive! ESPECIALLY for used stuff!
Lauryn says
I agree that Still Goode is rather pricey!! My husband and I recently made a trip to lake Conroe, and there were several places off of 105 that had more reasonably priced home items, I do not recall the names though.
Anonymous says
It is called the Consignment Store and it is a very large sign. They are closed on Mondays.
Nancy says
The Assistance League of Montgomery County, on the corner of San Jacinto and Metcalf (FM 2854) in downtown Conroe, has an amazing thrift shop. There are amazing 50% off specials every week. It is run by ALL volunteers, and the proceeds go to charity. The store is open Tues. – Sat. from 10 AM-3PM (closed Sun. & Mon.) This is a fabulous store!
Dawn of Fabulously Clever says
Does anyone want to share their list of favorite thrift stores? We are up near the Copperfield area, but I’m willing to travel for great deals! haha. I did find an amazing gem of a thrift earlier this week. Angels’ Attic through the Cypress Assistance Ministries. Was able to pick up a Cricut machine for $40 and used a 20% off coupon. They run specials. They day I was there it was 50% of Electronics and Skirts marked with June. My Cricut was not 50% off as is being a July item. It is located on Huffmeister between 290 and Cypress Houston North.
Lisa says
Omg I’m jealous of your cricut, that’s an awesome find!! I live in Cypress and ended to chek this place out. Thanks for the tip.
Chelsie says
I go to Houston every summer and I just got back from our current trip I pretty much redone my closet again while I was there check out the new Salvation Army on NASA Parkway its HUGE 50 % OFF days are Wednesday and Saturdays! The prices on thrift in Houston is pretty high compared to the shops here in Alabama. We usually have set prices on shirts purses shoes (clothing in general) so the prices are anywhere from a dollar to 3 dollars for a shirt per place. I definitely spent more but there was a greater selection of places to shop from and i got a lot of things I had been looking to find.
Paula says
The Family Thrift Center near Willowbrook is excellent. Go to the inner Loop at Willowbrook Mall. Look for Macy’s Men anf Furniture. It is in the big parking lot accross. First store on the right at parking lot is Plato’s Closet. The Trift Center is at the far left corner, close to 249.
You shop during the week and you receipt acts as a coupon on Sunday, up to 50% off. They get a lot of designer over production, brand new with tags.
Clothes are great there, houseware and toys not at all.
The Goodwills in Spring all have 30% off every day on clothes. Tag color changes every day. The one on Louetta/Kuykendahl is good and the on on the feeder of I45 and Spring Cypress.
Sarah says
I love the family thrift store in cypress! They have amazing prices. That one is definitely worth travelling for.
edy says
The value village has good items! And right now there is a cupon on their website for 50% of any purchase and they also, have a card that they punch for every $5 dlrs purchase when its completely u get 50% off entire purchase. Also,cypress ministres they have there special days mondays are pink tags 50% off thursdays some items are 75% off and they give u a discount card and when u fill it out they give u a 20dlrs off ur entire purchase. Those have brand names items we just have to check
Jennifet says
My daughter and I ventured into the family thrift at willowbrook even though we found a few shorts and a pair of jeans and a nice denim jacket I was not that impressed. The pricing could have been better for it being a “thrift” store!!
tonya says
I do agree there prices could be better.
Karen says
I used to shop at Goodwill all the time. Their prices have gone up so much in the past 4 years…. I can buy things brand new, off season, on a clearance rack at Walmart cheaper than Goodwill….I have called and complained to the district manager. Julia’s Attic is a joke… Now if something has a name brand on it they put it in Julia’s Attic and ask a fortune for it… I no longer donate to Goodwill for this reason. I donate to Salvation Army now. Goodwill is taking advantage of people and the economy in my opinion. I live in San Antonio. How do you think Goodwill is able to afford to build all these new Goodwills????? And have you seen how much the CEO for Goodwill makes yearly???? It is a shame if you ask me….
Kara Rush says
COMPLETELY agree! Goodwill makes me crazy with what they charge!
Ana says
I agree! Goodwill is a million dollar company. They get stuff for free and make a profit. I also give to salvation army or the church off Beltway 8 and westheimer.
Lynn says
I have completely decorated my past three homes and two offices solely from my thrift store adventures.
I use to shop at Goodwill as if it were my religion. Several months ago I learned about the pay (or lack there of) for a large number of their employees. Also, the treatment that they experience. After hearing about this and researching it for myself, I decided that I would give up any future treasures from Goodwill.
Now I only shop at The Salvation Army and other church thrift stores in my area that are reasonably priced.
Something that I love to find is 70’s-ish figures of animals like owls and deer. Although there coloring may not be pleasant but they are crazy chipped I purchase them and spray paint them a solid color.
Heather B says
If you can spare some time every month or so, volunteer to sort the donations! You get to see things before they are sent to the sales floor. One place I volunteered at allowed me to set aside the items I wanted to buy – I found some fabulous pieces at a bargain. And they got some free work outta me. 🙂
Kara Rush says
I am super stoked about this post and all these comments. I pretty much judge a town by whether or not they have good thrift stores. I was a little weary of The Woodlands when I moved here last year, since they don’t have ANY! Thankfully, I discovered Angelic Resale in Conroe. I ALWAYS find something awesome there, whether it is clothes, furniture, home decor etc. Good prices, and they are often willing to bargain on furniture. There are a few other places to check out in Conroe if you happen to be over there…Assistance League is one, and there are at least 3 or 4 more very close to it (by the train tracks), sorry I can’t remember the names. They are tiny stores that are hit or miss; sometimes you find a treasure though!
Janelle says
The Alamo is Pasadena is great and I also love the interfaith caring ministries resale shop in webster
Valerie says
The Family Thrift Store on Hwy. 6 (Bear Creek Area) is great. I have found clothes with tags and a lot of like new items. The clothes are priced reasonably and sometimes get marked down further. If you spend $20-$50 during the week, you get that amount in % off on Sundays. (spend $40 during the week, get 40% off on Sunday). Great for summer clothes and back to school, too. If you need purses, shoes, or housewares…the selection is good for that too. The Family Thrift Store has several locations throughout the Houston Area. Become a loyalty customer, it’s easy!!!!
G Parsons says
I always have empty spare boxes in the back of my van with newspapers for wrapping. Plus.. I’m always sure to have wet ones and hand cleaner in the car! I always ask if they have wifi when I enter the thrift store (so many of them do!) I look on my ipad or phone for items on ebay to see what the going prices are. makes me feel awesome to get such deals.
Pippa says
Hi Tiffany, I love your blog! … our FAVORITE thrift store is the Family Thrift OUTLET (there are only 4 outlets in Houston), this is not the regular thrift store. Every item starts at only $1.75 on Thursday and is marked down .25 every day … Wednesday the entire store is only .25 each item, closes at noon to completely clear out and restock the store with new items.
(we need to meet sometime being we are both featured on Stretch your Dollar)
pippa
Pippa says
Here is a link to the story we did on .25 day: http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/story?section=news/consumer&id=9355184
Charity says
Southwest Houston best thrift stores: Goodwill on Hillcroft/S Braeswood and Goodwill on Hillcroft/Beltway 8 (Crossing at Fort Bend shopping plaza). Such great deals! I’ve bought tap shoes for girls in many sizes at $2.99-$4.99 each instead of $26.99 new at Payless.