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SinglePortage
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02/08/2019 09:37PM   (Thread Older Than 3 Years)
There is a thrift shop on my way home from work where I have found some great deals over the years so I try to stop in for a quick look as often as I can. The other day I hit the mother load! In three stops over two days I got a North Face down vest and wind jacket, a Nike Sphere wind Jacket, a Patagonia Capilene quarter zip top and two sets of Capilene long Johns and a couple other things that I can't think of right now. All were in lightly used to new condition and cost me less than $60.

I will likely never get this lucky again, but I will continue to stop every chance I get.

Thank you to the XL guy for donating your excess clothing, I wish I knew who you were.
 
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02/08/2019 10:10PM  
I love shopping at our local thrift shops. Have found some great high quality merchandise over the years. Last year I found some sweaters that had “made in Ely Minnesota “ on the tag. Don’t know if they were 10 years old, or 40, but they were in perfect shape. Last year in the Ely thrift store I found a coat that I paid 20 bucks for, and it retailed new for $300.00....
 
mjmkjun
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02/09/2019 02:12AM  
That's great, guys. My nephew claims the same about the one in Nashville.
 
02/09/2019 08:01AM  
Sometimes it can really pay off to check the thrift stores in affluent areas.
 
Swampturtle
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02/09/2019 10:13AM  
It can really get addicting going to the thrift stores. This fall I got a new wardrobe for myself for cheap. The housewares section has great camping stuff too. I picked up Jeans, mock turtle necks, fleece tops, fleece vests, fleece jackets (I live in fleece). All brand name companies for a few dollars each. Down vests from llbean & Eddie Bauer that retail for $$$. If your looking for cast iron skillets, you'll have your pick of shapes & sizes. I am planning on visiting my local thrift stores specifically for cookwear for a large group I am joining late in the Summer...and fleece.
 
HayRiverDrifter
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02/09/2019 11:00PM  
Also found many great deals at thrift shops. I have a number of Columbia jackets, and REI gortex rain coat for $18.

I work in Red Wing, and a few months ago I went over to Duluth Trading, they have an outlet in the basement. I was intending to buy a pair of insulted bibs which are $85 or half the normal price. As I walked in, they were loading the $5 rack and there was one pair of bibs in my size. I bought the bibs, a nice windproof fleece, and 5 jackets. Full retail value of $900 for $35. Best score ever. Last spring I bought 5 pairs of No-Fly-Zone pants (treated with permethrin) for $15 each. It's really random though.
 
NotLight
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02/10/2019 05:22PM  
I’ve been “Swedish Death Cleaning” for about 2 years. I sold a few things at first, but it was a PITA and not worth the time. So I donated for a while. Now I just flat out throw stuff. Sounds irresponsible and wasteful. It is. But boy has that made it difficult/impossible for me to justify getting new stuff, as I agonize over the idea of getting rid of it. So I think I’m coming out ahead.
 
mjmkjun
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02/10/2019 07:00PM  
NotLight: "I’ve been “Swedish Death Cleaning” for about 2 years. I sold a few things at first, but it was a PITA and not worth the time. So I donated for a while. Now I just flat out throw stuff. Sounds irresponsible and wasteful. It is. But boy has that made it difficult/impossible for me to justify getting new stuff, as I agonize over the idea of getting rid of it. So I think I’m coming out ahead.
"

In that learning mode now. It's is a PITA to pack stuff then haul to thrift stores. I thought it would be simpler overall but am making some progress, at least.
 
SinglePortage
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02/10/2019 07:22PM  
deerfoot: "Sometimes it can really pay off to check the thrift stores in affluent areas."


My thrift store is in Eau Claire, WI which is not exactly an affluent area. I think I just got very lucky.
 
02/10/2019 08:21PM  
SinglePortage: "
deerfoot: "Sometimes it can really pay off to check the thrift stores in affluent areas."



My thrift store is in Eau Claire, WI which is not exactly an affluent area. I think I just got very lucky."


A Canadian friend who lives in a gentrifying older area of Toronto into which a lot of younger affluent people have moved scores some really nice high end outdoor clothing and equipment at very favorable prices. Locally, my town which is a rust belt former industrialized city doesn’t seem get much really good outdoor stuff or at least I never find it.
 
pswith5
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02/11/2019 05:44AM  
I have scored a lot of good stuff over the past 20 years. But, none as good as the purse my wife got that had a hundred dollars in one of the pockets.!
 
02/11/2019 06:18AM  
Nothing to add here... I posted on wrong thread.
 
02/11/2019 06:47AM  
SinglePortage: "
deerfoot: "Sometimes it can really pay off to check the thrift stores in affluent areas."



My thrift store is in Eau Claire, WI which is not exactly an affluent area. I think I just got very lucky."


It is always a matter of perspective.

Eau Claire is a very agreeable small city that is currently doing well. I would characterize it more as very comfortable than affluent.

We lived there from '80-'92 and overall enjoyed it very much. However, I found myself looking for work at a time when Pope & Talbot, Presto, Armour, and others were laying off people in droves and Uniroyal up and shut down altogether. We made the choice to move on for economic reasons, but Eau Claire is still a big part of our history. I am glad it is doing well right now.

I worked with some Mounders while I was there and my wife subbed at the elementary school.
 
02/11/2019 09:44AM  
I dumped loads of capilene at the Ely Goodwill. Since buying Merino wool about ten years ago I can't bear the feel of Capilene against my skin (like being swaddled in Saran Wrap). I realized there was no reason to have it taking up room in my dresser.
 
Oldtown13
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02/11/2019 11:00AM  
Picked up a new Stetson cowboy hat last summer at Ely Goodwill for $35. The gal said that people were in all morning trying it on, but it didn't fit anyone. I felt like Cinderella.. :-)
 
PowerLizard
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02/11/2019 02:01PM  
I think the thrift shops around here get picked over by people buying up name brands to resell on eBay. I have found some useful stuff but not good name brand clothing.
 
Flashback
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02/12/2019 12:21PM  
I'm somewhat of a thrift store/resale shop addict.
Holdover from my college days. I used to be a "picker"; resold my finds at flea markets. Helped pay a starving student's rent.

Have one local place I frequent now.
Have found Patagonia, REI, LL Bean, North Face, Columbia, Nike items with some regularity. A couple of days ago I scored a Nike, fleece lined, pullover hoodie, new condition for 10 bucks.Retailed at 55 bucks.
Hard to pass up classic rock/greatest hits CDs in like new condition for a couple of bucks, or a vintage Hawaiian shirt for 5 or 6 bucks.

Good time killer on a "cabin fever" day.

BOB
 
02/16/2019 12:54PM  
Went yesterday, bought a Eddie Bauer full zip fleece, and a , Eddie Bauer pullover fleece... total investment $7.50.....
 
02/16/2019 06:25PM  
i will always support our local thrift stores. spent time in 4 different stores today looking for something specific which i didn't find. what i did find was A LOT of people going through winter clothing jackets and other daily living essentials. it's hard to know if these people are in need or shopping to resell. my only observation was that all these stores were very busy and that made me think about the state of our personal economies.

for those of you who feel it's a PITA to box up and take to a store... please rethink! or call the store to see if they offer pickup. there are many DAV drop boxes which are available 24 hours a day. sometimes churches will also take items.
 
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