Shop second hand and you will get higher quality items that cost less and

[Jetboy]

will last longer. The money will NOT go to corporate America or China.

Buy a beautiful antique clock for around the price of some (blech) made in China gizmo.

Buy a near mint condition Elvis or Beatles (or whoever) record and treasure it forever.

Buy a unique decoration from long ago. Yup, it's older than anyone alive. How cool!

If you must buy soon to break Chineese crap then buy it from a local Mom and Pop outfit. (or Mom and Mom, whatever)

Everything is available on ebay too in case someone lives in the boonies or is immobile.

Happy Hunting!

[Coyotl]

1. Been collecting like-new Revereware at Goodwill. Books too.

The book bargains on like-new hardbacks is amazing. But the real bargains are on old, high-quality kitchenwares.

[Jetboy]

2. Haha Yes exactly!

If you know what you are looking for, you can make a very good living just picking and selling. My fetish is old clocks and tube radios.

I have noticed that Goodwill and the others have raised their prices over the past couple of years though.

[WinkyDink]

56. Precisely BECAUSE of re-sellers.

[Jetboy]

62. Yes, when job prospects are slim, it is a great way to

make a living! ANYONE CAN DO IT!!

The St vincent Depaul and others give away clothes and household necessities to the needy. The rest of us have to buy stuff and the stores have seemingly gotten wise to giving away valuable items for the same price as the crap.

You could look at it like these higher prices allow them to do more good for the community. Nobody is going without necessities because of what i do. Regardless the money is staying local and not being funneled to corporate america or china.

[StrayKat]

12. I should do that.

I had a copper bottom Revereware tea kettle that broke after 30 years. I have been through 4 tea kettles in the two years since the Revereware one broke.

[grasswire]

17. I have my mother's revere ware -- it's sixty years old...

.....and I use it every day. Going strong! The older stuff is heavier than the newer.

And it's cheap at thrift stores.

[Brainstormy]

23. I have my grandmother's!

older than that! And I stopped shining up those copper bottoms decades ago. They still cook great.

[Still Blue in PDX]

61. I've had some of my grandmother's kitchenware for 40 years.

At this point only God/dess knows how old it was when I inherited it.

[pipi_k]

72. I still kick myself

for getting rid of some old cast iron skillets I bought at a yard sale some years back before I discovered the joys of cooking with them and learning that caring for them is not a huge deal.

So now I have another set (six or seven different sizes and varieties) that I hope someone will appreciate someday when I'm gone.

[Jetboy]

84. Old Griswolds and Wagners still bring good money

at auction if they are in good shape. Some things fall through the cracks and go cheap- not that stuff though.

[Ace Acme]

86. Indeed. Just wash them in water with minimal soap and dry on the stove. Veg. oil when needed. nt

[maddiemom]

103. Iron skillets at thrift stores get grabbed up immediately. No on even bothers to clean up the rust.

[maddiemom]

104. Also, I use mine for everything, including baking. I had to buy only one, the others came from

my mom.

[littlewolf]

36. books we have a local place called

the recycled reader. it is great, all my read books go there and I hunt
among the shelves for something interesting.

[PatrynXX]

45. although our donations to goodwill have been cut off

since we learned it was a for profit organization. still we donate books. Library won't take them. Goodwill will. I won't touch United Way. Same system bunch of rich guys get the money first then whoever gets it next.

[Tanuki]

51. Goodwill is a not-for-profit

http://www.goodwill.org/about-us/our-mission/

"Our Mission

Goodwill works to enhance the dignity and quality of life of individuals and families by strengthening communities, eliminating barriers to opportunity, and helping people in need reach their full potential through learning and the power of work.

Goodwill Industries International is registered as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

Our Vision

Every person has the opportunity to achieve his/her fullest potential and participate in and contribute to all aspects of life.

Our Values

Respect
We treat all people with dignity and respect.

Stewardship
We honor our heritage by being socially, financially and environmentally responsible.

Ethics
We strive to meet the highest ethical standards

Learning
We challenge each other to strive for excellence and to continually learn.

Innovation
We embrace continuous improvement, bold creativity and change.

Our Results for 2012
People served through employment and training programs: 6.7 million
Mission services provided: 134 million
People who earned a job with Goodwill’s help : 216,000
Estimated total earnings of people who earned a job with Goodwill’s help: $3.62 billion
Total revenue generated by Goodwill organizations: $4.89 billion
Total revenue spent directly on programs: 82 percent
Total number of donors (includes repeat donations): 83 million
Total number of retail stores: Over 2,700 and an online auction site, www.shopgoodwill.com
"

[Coyotl]

111. Yes, that's why donationas are tax deductible. Otherwise, they would flounder.

People who itemize deductions are keenly aware of this benefit. Expensive clothing gone out of style, get your money back off your taxes, in part anyway.

[REP]

67. You can pry my US-made Revere ware from my cold, dead hands!

It was my grandmother's and probably from the 40s. It's very heavy.

Even my new cookware is US and Union made. Saved up and waited for a sale - worth it.

[pipoman]

3. Quality used is always better than cheap new..

especially in cars, homes,..well come to think of it...everything..

[Jetboy]

8. Yes exactly.

I am constantly investing in items at the auction house and beyond. The only things I buy new are food and underwear. It is rare that I have to actually pony up and buy some new item. Right next to never.

[pipoman]

10. I was so proud of my son

who moved to Cali and went to Orange County garage sales buying most of his furniture and appliances at garage sales even though he could have gone bought new and made payments..I told him, but we know how kids are..surprised he actually did it..

[Jetboy]

14. Buying appliances and furniture used can really

save a lot of money. I don't see too many young folks (sub 40) in my business which is kind of sad. It is great when they get involved and pass on the interest to other young folks. If more don't get involved, I may not be able to earn a living down the road!

[maddiemom]

55. College students in my area are among the best customers at Goodwill.

At the beginning of each semester freshman parents bring them in for their housekeeping needs. The kids usually keep coming back to pick through the store, even for clothes (something my generation never would have thought of). Foreign students (both graduate and undergraduate) haunt the place. I've been told that some Asian cultures won't wear used clothing, but that doesn't seem to apply in my fairly large college town.

[Ace Acme]

88. We used to have thrift stores in my college town

Now only Goodwill is left and it's priced for yuppies, pretty useless.

College kids all have credit cards, nowadays, and they think they're going to be rich someday.

[maddiemom]

106. Have to agree their prices have gone up lately. The late model, high end cars in

the parking lot (I've remarked once before) are pretty surprising. St Vincent de Paul is still very good,especially for books, if you're lucky enough to have one of the larger ones nearby (downtown Johnstown is great if you're around western PA).

[Dreamer Tatum]

4. Why, I just got a dozen secondhand lightbulbs today for a dime! nt

[Jetboy]

6. The next time I buy lightbulbs...

who am I kidding? I have enough light bulbs to last the rest of my life! May have $5 in the lot of 'em!

[s-cubed]

5. A lot of my furniture is antique. Beautiful and sturdy. And I love the sense of history.

We've bought gorgeous dressers of solid wood for less than the price of new ones. We have a number of end/bedside tables of varying ages. Our dining room table is 100 years old. They are not family heirlooms, as neither family had much, but they are our heirlooms.

[Jetboy]

11. I live in a dump but it is furnished like the finest homes of the

1910s!

Antique furniture is the most beautiful and practical stuff you can find out hunting around. My mom gave her brother all of our heirloom furniture and then he lost it all in divorce. I've had to sell most of my best finds but one of these days I'll have the room and ability to keep the best stuff I find.

This type of furniture does add a sense of history whether or not they are family heirlooms. They are reminders of days gone by.

[xulamaude]

38. My partner and I are actually in the antiques/collictibles

business and are in the process of starting up an estate sales service with some of our colleagues

Our house is a never ending rotation of awesome stuff. For every one thing I decide to keep one goes of to one of our 'retail' venues.

Tube radios and clocks are very popular!

[Jetboy]

41. That's fantastic!

I work at an auction house now but am planning on doing estate sales/ my own auctions and the like in the future. The second hand business is my life and I truly love it. I am guessing that your place looks a bit like mine lol! Quality items coming out my ears!

Best of luck for your business!

[xulamaude]

42. Thanks and likewise! nt

[Curmudgeoness]

107. And the best thing about antiques

is that they usually will increase in value over time. It isn't like that new table you buy and it is worth $20 at a garage sale when it is time to replace it.

[JimboBillyBubbaBob]

7. Recently, my wife wanted another curio.

She wanted a new one and I said we ought to at least visit this new estate sale establishment. Hey, she found her curio, from the late 1930s, less expensive than a new one she wanted, and I found a U.S. large cent, a 3 cent piece, and a jug of wheat pennies with some good stuff, all at fair prices. We were both happy!

[Jetboy]

16. Always great to hear stories like yours!

You can bet that the store owner was happy too. They can now go and find more cool old stuff and keep the cycle going.

Plus that curio will only hold it's value or go up. A new one (except for the VERY finest crafted) will only go down in value and fast. Don't forget to think used first whenever you need something! Chances are you can get close to that store owner or another picker and they can find just what you need at a very reduced price. They are out there looking for stuff every day. Get on their list and they will find it for you!

[Art_from_Ark]

122. Just out of curiosity

What are the dates and conditions of the large cent and 3-cent piece?

[libodem]

9. We found a special on used clothing yesterday

Buy three get three free, I got 12, pieces for my 3 y/o granddaughter for a reasonable amount. The Dora shoes and plastic Fisher Price lawn mower bumped me up to about $25.00. Thrifty.

[Jetboy]

21. Great job!

Considering how much most people spend on clothes, buying used clothes could be the equivilent of a car payment each month. I look for Italian shoes, levis and rockabilly shirts myself.

[libodem]

25. No doubt

[starroute]

39. You can find great clothing buys at thrift shops

It occurred to me a while ago that wealthy people don't have yard sales -- but they do donate their used clothes to thrift shops. Often this stuff is barely worn, just a year or two out of date, and far better quality than you can find at the big-box stores. You need patience and an eye for the good stuff, but you can end up with some amazing bargains.

[Jetboy]

47. Thank you as this is very true.

I don't even know how much a pair of levis cost anymore because every pair I own was bought second hand for under $5.

The condition speaks for itself, just look and feel carefully. Great brand, great condition? Now you're dressed to the 9s with your 10s, 20s and 50s in your wallet!

Know your favorite brands, go straight to the second hand store and then to the bank to deposit your savings.

[Ghost of Tom Joad]

97. I can't believe the quality of clothes that can be found in second hand shops

there are more made in USA labels than just about any major stores and where else can you find True Religion or J Brand jeans for $4?

[missingthebigdog]

13. Right on!

I used my vintage Dormeyer stand mixer (1940's) to make our Thanksgiving meal this week. Paid ten bucks for it, and wouldn't trade it for a new kitchenaide.

Also used my Granny's cookbook and pecans from trees in our yard to make awesome pecan pies.

[Jetboy]

22. I am not chef. But when I cook, I do it with style!

The old kitchen gizmos work just as good, last a lot longer (made of METAL!) and look cool too. Just type in MADMEN along with kitchen appliance on ebay. The stuff is in style RIGHT NOW! (who am i kidding the style is timeless regardless of some popular tv show that i've never seen)

[tsuki]

28. Do you use corn or pure cane syrup in your pecan pies?

God, I'm nosy

[missingthebigdog]

83. Karo dark corn syrup

Hate the stuff, but that's what the recipe calls for. They did taste exactly like I remember them tasting when Granny made them. And the smell of them cooking brought tears to my eyes. Indescribable!

[Tikki]

15. I can not stress harder how true this is ...

Parents and caregivers should plan, at least, a trip a year to show young ones
how quality construction differs from cheaply assembled and manufactured products.

This is not a dig on workers…this is more a dig on our and other countries'
companies need to profit over true quality.

Every child should have now or in their future an item or two to pass along as a
family heirloom.

Here's a clue…I very rarely find any wal*mart brand products in my local Thrift Stores.


Tikki

[Jetboy]

26. At the auction house I work at, the people fight over

the quality American made items in good condition. Sometimes it even gets testy!

When the auction is over, there is a huge pile of made in China crap that we literally CANNOT GIVE AWAY! In fact, we pay to make it go away. These are things that work and are in good shape. It's just that nobody wants them. At all.

[Tikki]

27. wal*mart…the feeder program of your local dump.

Tikki

[Jetboy]

30. ROFL!

Now that was funny! A bit sad because it's true but funny none-the-less!

[Coyotl]

18. In a big city, Craigslist FREE is well worth following.

I planted a rose garden with big, old-growth roses I dug for free. Also, got 10 tons of fine rock worth around $300 a ton, free for the hauling. One day, I salvaged a house demolition and had a van load of high-quality 1950s framing lumber, good, clear, fine-grained wood.

[Jetboy]

24. Free is my favorite price!

Everyone knows that I'm in the junk business so people give me stuff for free all the time.

Talk about reduce reuse recycle! This is the stuff we really all need to do. It is sad what gets thrown away at the auction house every week while others are buying the same crap all the time! Stuff that get's thrown away- made in China.

[Freddie]

19. Also Craigslist for used furniture

We got a gorgeous oak table and chairs, seats 10, for $400 from a family that was moving out of state. A beautiful wall unit (that fits our newer TV) for $250, probably $3000 new, from a couple who decided it didn't fit their new decor.
Fabric furniture (sofas, chairs) can be dicey with stains, rips, etc. but there's real bargains to be had in wood items.

[Jetboy]

29. Estate sales are often where you will find the highest

quality items, especially furniture. Plus you are buying it right out of the house it likely sat in for decades. Figure that at an estate sale there will be at least one of every common household item. Great place to get top quality used items and still have a good feel for how the item was treated before it arrived in your hands.

[JCMach1]

101. However, estate sale prices have also sky-rocketed in recent years...

[Jetboy]

105. Yup and the people there are no different than

Black Friday shoppers. I've seen people bump little old ladies out of the way in order to get items.

Used or new, it always pays to be an informed shopper. Quality stuff doesn't come along for free very often (unless it's really difficult to physically move) so know the value of what you're looking for.

[Benton D Struckcheon]

20. My wife lives at Goodwill.

Even gets books from them. Local libraries also run book sales where you can get books for ridiculously cheap.
And so on…

Got this on EBay for 40 bux or so: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Senseo. Makes amazingly good coffee. Can get a Coffee Duck to go with it so you don't need to worry about buying pods.
All kinds of good stuff out there.

[Jetboy]

31. Yes

There are great items out there for EVERY taste.

I find that single button coffee makers last the longest of the drip kind. Of course the old percolators NEVER DIE!

[grasswire]

32. let's not forget the online auction site for Goodwill

shopgoodwill.com

Many real bargains to be found there from Goodwill stores all over the country.

[Jetboy]

34. A person could buy stuff there and sell for more elsewhere.

I am sure that some people do.

[Paper Roses]

59. Hi grasswire, let us not forget the local small charity thrift shops.

I volunteer at one of our local charities and always encourage potential buyers that they are getting a good deal. Some of the bigger charities may offer more goods because they have the space and personnel, the smaller shops are sometimes far less expensive.
We, at the small at which I work, offer things like jeans at $4.00, housewares at incredibly low prices. Furniture--real wood-- is a small fraction of retail. Somewhere like 10 cents on the original dollar.
Kitchen Aid mixer, $35.00 today. Sold immediately.

We cannot hold things for top thrift dollar because of space problems. Better to move the goods on at a bargain and be able to use dollars generated directly to the food pantry to which our proceeds go.

Shopgoodwill used to be very inexpensive. I find that their prices generated are now very much higher than our local thrifts.
It is a good place to shop but there are other less expensive alternatives in my area if you are willing to be patient. I know you are like me in that regard. Poke around, everything shows up eventually.

[grasswire]

93. our friends here might not know that you are a true expert...

.....with decades of experience selling antiques in a top area.

And you are absolutely right about thrift stores. I love them.

Also, I should mention church rummage sales. I have found incredible buys there. Recent find: a piece of American majolica worth about $200. I paid 75 cents for it.

[JNelson6563]

33. Yes. I do it all the time.

I could not afford the quality of things I like if I were to buy things new. They would be ridiculously expensive!

Plus there's the thrill of the hunt!

Julie

[Jetboy]

35. There is no excuse for bad taste!

I wear $500 shoes when I want to. Nobody has to know that I paid $2!

Such a great feeling to find a true treasure sitting there among the crap. 1950s tube radio clock sitting next to and priced the same as some cheapo alarm clock radio? SCORE! Yup, the hunt is a thrill!

[Tanuki]

44. I got a beautiful Beleek teapot, made in Ireland,

at a second hand shop for about 10% of what it would have cost retail. It was sitting with a lot of kitschy St. Patrick's Day stuff, with a tag on it that said "clover teapot"! I love a bargain and agree that the quality older furniture, cookware, etc. is much better. I have purchased almost all of my clothing, except for lingerie and the occasional "souvenir" garment when traveling, from Goodwill in the past several years. I really can't imagine doing otherwise now. I have several items that still had the original store tags on them and the rest looked just like new. Our local Goodwill has a color coding tag system so items are rotated out of the store after a few weeks. The last week in the store, items with that color tag are marked down to half of the already low price, and then to $1 on Wednesdays. It really pays to check it out!

[Jetboy]

81. A lot of people, even store owners, don't know

what they have. Many years ago, I was lucky enough to buy an old wooden rim bicycle for $5 at an auction. I sold it for $500 but by the time the buyer had explained all of the details about the bike, I realized that I had been took! Turns out that the bike was the first made in America after the high wheeler! Oops!!

It really pays to be an informed shopper! Even veteran pickers can't know everything.

[littlewolf]

37. we just bought a new bed so I took the old platform waterbed

apart and hauled it to the salvation army, cal king. thing weighed a ton
solid wood it was nice but the wife needs something higher because
of her legs she can not get out of bed. right now we just have the frame
so we are checking thrift shops looking for something.

[Jetboy]

40. Mattresses and box springs are very tricky.

I will not mess with them because of the bed bug problem. I am not sure how to test for them so I just stay away as the consignment stores won't take them unless they are brand new in the plastic.

[littlewolf]

53. me too this was the waterbed frame. big solid wood.

the waterbed mattress we dumbed the water down the shower
and threw it away.

[1monster]

43. Been doing this with clothing and books for years...

The only things I buy new are underwear, socks, and shoes.

[Jetboy]

54. I got lucky at the auction getting about 50 pair

of shoes a while back. Just underwear and socks new for me now.

[DFW]

46. Some of those near mint condition Elvis or Beatles records could set you back a bunch!

http://entertainment.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=7074&lotNo=46263

[Jetboy]

57. And only going up uP UP!

I do a record show every year that is part of a 3 day celebration of 1950s rock-n-roll. Unbelievable what some records will bring! Where's my Butcher Baby copy?!?!

[DFW]

109. When I saw this, I threw in the towel

http://entertainment.ha.com/c/item.zx?saleNo=7074&lotNo=46174

And yet, who knows what's out there in yard sales? A few years ago, an Iraq vet found an "old pamphlet" at a yard sale somewhere (I think it was in Ohio?), and sent it down to these people in Dallas. Turned out to be an original copy of the Federalist Papers. The guy was penniless so the auction company waived the seller's fee and handed the guy something like $90,000 after the auction (!!!).

[Jetboy]

117. Stuff is still out there.

Disappearing more every day but it's still out there. Always so great to hear stories of people who need it score BIG out there!

[DFW]

119. The guys in Dallas do have a heart

They will probably never be anywhere near as rich as the directors of Christie's or Sotheby's, since they do stuff like that all the time, but their clients sure as hell appreciate them more!

[ScreamingMeemie]

48. Be cautious and research. My daughter is a Goodwill shopper and often prices

on Ikea furniture will be inflated to more than the cost new. They have a beautiful coffee table that they bought on sale at Ikea for $45. It was $90 at their local Goodwill. Just a heads up.

[Jetboy]

52. I've noticed that Goodwill and others (like the Salvation Army and St Vincent Depaul)

have been raising their prices lately. Just last year, any pair of shoes at the SA cost $2. Now each pair is individually priced starting at $5.

It is true that just because an item is used doesn't mean that it is a good deal. It is wise advice to be do your research and check out ANY item very carefully before purchase.

[kimbutgar]

49. Don't forget flea markets also as a source

I go to a big flea market monthly and over the years have gotten some great bargains. I buy new and used stuff. I gotten designer labeled clothes, costume jewelry, books, DVDs. All great bargains. Plus you support regular people. I have brought old American made appliances that someone got as a gift and it sat in their boxes forgotten in a garage to be sold at the flea market. I brought some old revere pans and threw out the crappy Teflon ones I owned. I only go to big box stores as the last resort. flea markets rock. My austistic son loves the flea market and it has been a good way for him to transact and socialize with the vendors I give him a certain amount and he is responsible for managing his money. it has also been a great learning experience for him

[Jetboy]

58. The big flea market in my state is just too far away for me to attend.

Flea markets are probably the best atmosphere for buying and selling used goods. They are more laid back and allow you to really browse. Auctions are hectic, garage sales waste too much time driving around and second hand stores mark-up's are too high. I wish I could get to more flea markets as the social part is just as much fun as the buying and selling part. I am glad your son enjoys them too!

When you buy at the flea market, you are supporting regular folks and can really feel good about the transaction in every way. That is not true of the walmarts or big boxes.

[redstatebluegirl]

50. We love estate sales.

I need some new dishes for Thanksgiving, ours were looking pretty bad. We went to an estate sale and found a set of Noritake china, serving for 8 with the serving pieces. It was missing one salad plate, got the whole set for 42 bucks.

There was a beautiful dining room table there for 500, I didn't need it, but I kept thinking people will go buy junk tables and chairs at Walmart, Sears big furniture stores (here is is Mathis Brothers) for more money than that. It was beautiful, had 2 leaves, no scratches 6 chairs, solid mahogany. The lady having the sale said they were ready to give it away, nobody was interested.

I don't need new, new isn't best all the time. Plus the hunt is so much fun . Every piece of furniture in our house is second hand except for the couch and tv. Reuse, repurpose!

[northoftheborder]

66. I love old furniture, too. Antique is the most beautiful, but even....

furniture built in the 1950's-60's is so much better quality than today's.

[Jetboy]

70. Yes, to me it is a win-win situation.

Better stuff, lower prices, money stays local, land-fill left alone!

[Jetboy]

73. Sounds like you got the fever too!

I really enjoy items. But I enjoy them so much more knowing how much I paid for them!

'New' is a dirty word to me!

[brer cat]

60. We consider our antique mall the ultimate recycle shop.

I worked yesterday and we were quite busy. I was delighted to see so many people choosing quality over Wal-mart junk.

I buy all of my clothes and much of my granddaughters' at thrift shops and yard sales. Last week I found a new w/tags pair of jeans for one granddaughter at a thrift shop...original tag 295.00 and I paid 10.00. Best of all they were made in USA (7 for All Man Kind). People who don't shop used have no idea what bargains they are missing.

[Jetboy]

74. Good to hear the antique mall was busy.

I wish more people knew just how much money they could save by buying the exact same items minus the packaging.

[Jetboy]

76. The danger of buying too much crap because it's

a great deal IS VERY REAL!!!

On the bright side, I rarely need to buy anything since I already have 5 of them!

Clothes are a flat out robbery at the new stores. I dress to the 9s when I want to and the only new things I'm wearing can't be seen!

[HooptieWagon]

64. Yes, and no.

Some items are a real deal on the used market, furniture, for example. Other items, not so much...computers for example. It depends on how much use its had, how much use you'll give it, and of course, cost. Some vintage items are very high quality, rarely seen today. And some re-sellers ask just insanely stupid prices. So if you're considering new vs. used, it definitely pays to do some research.

[REP]

68. I have a vintage stove that will not be going for a "bargain" price

It's a working Wedgwood. When I was redoing my house, a lot of people offered to "take it off my hands." The model I have uses gas and can also burn wood.

[Jetboy]

69. No doubt that computers should be on the list with socks,

underwear and mattresses. Other electronics are just fine for buying used but computers should be bought new for sure. Thanks for mentioning them.

The key to the best bargains is to shop where the resellers shop- at auctions and garage sales and by word of mouth. The auction house I work at often gathers entire estates and the people just want the stuff gone- not worried about how much they get for it. Garage sales are similar in that it is often more important that the stuff be gone than it is to get a top price.

[HooptieWagon]

118. The garage sales in my area tend to be overpriced.

I guess they're "just fishin'". I've found some good stuff on eBay and Craig's list. And Amazon has listings from mom and pop stores with great deals on used books and CDs.

[Kablooie]

65. I've got a closet full of high quality expensive shirts my wife hand picked from Goodwill.

She enjoys going through the stores looking for nearly new high quality goods.
Some of them still had the store tags.
It's like a treasure hunt and it sure beats all the mediocre Target shirts I would buy for myself.

[Jetboy]

77. Those shirts will last a lot longer than something

picked up cheap and new today. I do enjoy the hunt almost as much as the catch!

[pansypoo53219]

71. HELL YES! i find the best stuff at estate sales.

most interesting books, old utensils that i find are handy. WAY better heaters and fans. MADE IN AMERICA. garden tools made of WOOD NOT PLASTIC. don't get me started on heirloom quality nick knacks. ebayables. invest on wall street? hell no. and RECYCLING! scrappers scrap in the basements. TOOLS! i have so many screwdrivers. some of my best clothes i got at 'my' resale shop. FURNITURE! estate sales are the best for that. little tables, chairs, DRESSERS. hell, i got a danish mod coffee table 1/2 off for $5. just needs a new finish.
new is for suckers.
and i have gotten about 6 or 7 good revereware pots. AND ebayed a bunch of 1 cup mini pots.

[Jetboy]

79. This is my living but it is real easy to get sidetracked into studying

all of this fascinating stuff! I got a bunch of stuff at auction a few years ago, much of which dated from the 1800s! It was all from the same family and same property that had been there since 1850! Through some of the paper items I acquired, I was able to determine that the family had traveled to Boston and New York in 1868. The stuff was so interesting that it got me away from taking care of business!

New is for suckers for sure!

[Kingofalldems]

75. I bought a nice Pyrex glass percolator for $3.00.

Fantastic piece.

[Jetboy]

80. Now that is a heckuva bargain right there!

I haven't seen too many of those but when I have, they brought GOOD money! Doubler-decker with the glass rod- nice piece.

[Egalitarian Thug]

82. I haunt them looking for pre-Chinese 501 jeans, the new ones are shit and expensive.

Old electronics like lamps and small appliances are very useful as well as the components are of so much higher quality and fixing them is easy.

[Jetboy]

85. Is it the redline levis that the Japaneese pay good money for?

I buy em because I wear 'em but I've known people who look for those old ones to resell.

[Egalitarian Thug]

87. I look for them to wear as well (even as a geezer, no other jeans look as good on me as those),

but it wouldn't surprise me. When you look at them side by side, the enormous difference in quality in every respect is impossible to miss.

[factsarenotfair]

89. There are also some Goodwill Outlet stores that sell by the pound or really cheap.

http://frugalliving.about.com/od/bargainshopping/qt/Goodwill_Outlet.htm

[grasswire]

95. the one in my town is legendary

Anything can turn up there.

[onestepforward]

90. Don't forget about the DU Marketplace!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1120

[Jetboy]

91. Thank you.

I plan on checking that forum out as well as the frugal living forum.

[grasswire]

94. we also have a forum for ebay, antiques, flea market dealers and fans

Feel free to jump in over there.

[Jetboy]

96. I saw that one and will be going back again soon.

But I cannot find the frugal living group. Do you know where that group did I just imagine that it existed? Thanks

[onestepforward]

99. Here it is:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1128

Great group with lots of good ideas!

[Jetboy]

100. Thank you so much!

Frugality is kind of my obsession!

[Scuba]

92. And if one is uncomfortable wearing freshly-washed, but second-hand clothes ....

... just ask them if they've ever slept in a hotel.

[GoCubsGo]

116. It's amazing how much new stuff can be found at thrift shops.

I have purchased new-with-tags items on multiple occasions, including a pair of brand-new Merrell slides that normally go for $60. I got them for six bucks. I didn't normally look at the shoe rack up until then, but happened to be walking by and saw them. I couldn't believe it! Turns out the local independent shoe store donates overstock, as do some of the big retail chains, like Dillards and Target. The local SPCA shops also get a lot of their unsold stuff.

Good point about sleeping in hotels. Also, no guarantee that what one thinks is "new" from a department store hasn't been worn and returned. There seems to be a lot of that kind of thing going on...

[madrchsod]

98. 90% of my purchases are "second hand"

i purchased a brand new mid 60`s american made toaster that`s still working fine for close to 4 yrs now.

[llmart]

102. I have shopped at Salvation Army for years now.

We have 4 wonderful SA's in my area and I sometimes set aside the better part of one day to go to all of them just to browse and see what I can pick up. I've been doing this for years and the things I've seen for sale there are amazing. Of course, it's a crap shoot what will be there on any given day, but I love it. I honestly don't buy much any more even there, but I do like to window shop.

One time I bought a 100% wool dress jacket at the SA for $4. I think I paid $4 to get it dry cleaned. $8 total and I've worn that jacket for 10 years now and it still looks the same. Made in the USA. Ironically, one of my coworkers at the time I first wore it had the same darned jacket on one day and she was known to be a somewhat high-maintenance woman. She and I sort of chuckled when we saw each other that morning and I said something to her like "Oh, I see you have wonderful taste like I do" to which she replied that she had decided to splurge on this jacket because she fell in love with it and she told me she paid $80 for it. LOL. I didn't like this woman very much - too haughty for my tastes - and I really, really wanted to tell her I got mine at the SA for $4 but refrained.

[Ace Acme]

110. I got a snorkle coat at the thrift store in Chicago for $6

It was cheap because a seam on one of the arms had come open.

I sewed up the seam and wore it for years. Later I was told that those things sell for $150--and that was
30 years ago when $15o was a lot.

[Curmudgeoness]

108. And my favorite reason for buying clothes secondhand

is that I know how they will look after they are washed, or if they will need ironed. I hate when I buy something new, wash it, and it looks like a rag that I have had for years. At least I know that what I buy at thrift stores has already been through that process and it still looks good.

[llmart]

112. Don't get me started on the crappy clothes these days....

Nothing irritates me more about shopping than the cheap quality of the clothes today. Some of them are supposedly "washable" but I've learned the hard way that if you wash them even according to the directions, they'll either shrink, seams will come apart, be misshapen, you name it.

The sizing is horrible too. I am 5'4", 125 lbs. I've always been the same weight most of my life except when I was pregnant. There are some name brands that I have to buy a large in the tops, petite for the length. I keep saying to my sister, "In what universe am I considered a large and if so, what the hell do all these rather portly women of today have to purchase if I'm buying a large in a t-shirt?" She just laughs.

Don't get me started on socks One size fits all my ass.

[Curmudgeoness]

113. I'm sorry.

LOL, I didn't mean to get you started. But I agree completely with all that you said. Which is why I really do prefer to buy the clothes from thrift stores. You don't have to tell me about the crap in the stores today.

And don't get me started on the price of bras.

[llmart]

114. OK. I'm sorry too.

I won't get you started on the price of bras. But how the hell can a tiny piece of material cost so damned much? And not fit properly?

Just recently I was in need of a soft flannel winter shirt to wear around the house. I had had one for many years that I found at the SA but it had been washed so much it was threadbare. So I started looking for one to replace it, in stores and online. I could have spent close to $50 for one from LL Bean which seemed to be closest to what I was looking for, but I'm not crazy yet. Then I went to several stores like Kohls, Target, Parisian, etc. and all of what they had for flannel were so darned thin it wouldn't keep you warm unless you live in Florida. Then I decided to head to my old standby SA and after a couple trips I happened upon exactly what I wanted. It looked brand new, but was probably something that someone had in their closet for years and rarely wore. It even had a date on the tag (1978) and was made in the USA. It was soft, warm, washed up well, and I wear it every day when it's a bit chilly in the house.

Back in the 90's I used to wear a lot of Lands End stuff because it was mostly made in the USA and was quality, but then they too sold out and their stuff isn't so great any longer.

[Curmudgeoness]

115. LOL

You are very lucky to have found that flannel shirt. I know exactly what you are talking about, those old heavy material shirts. Kudos.

[cali]

120. speaking of second hand- not really about gifts, but wow.

a friend told me yesterday that he bought a used Rescue vehicle in impeccable state, diesel- for $5,900. He's going to be using it as a utility truck for his flooring installation business. It has loads of compartments both inside and out, heat and air conditioning, water tanks and running water. this guy is a whiz at buying used stuff cheap. He says it's about thinking outside the box; repurposing rather than regifting.

[yellowwoodII]

121. So True

My husband and I bought old furniture and he refinished it when we were first married. It just gets better with age. Now my house is a showplace. Wonderful old walnut, cherry, maple wood. I bought a whole set of Haviland China a couple of years ago for about $1 a piece. I set an elegant table.
I see young engaged couples signing up for expensive made in China junk at the local stores. That stuff will be sitting at the thrift stores in a few years.