We had been talking about DIY stuffs and furniture makeovers and I am sure that you have noticed that we have encouraged you to buy stuffs from thrift stores. This is because thrift stores have cheap items which you can just clean and redo to make them functional and presentable. But buying from thrift stores is different from buying on stores that have brand new items.
That is why today, we will give you a guide on what you need to consider when you are buying from a thrift store. It isn ’t really hard and tricky but this simple guide will help you get the right stuff and use them in the proper manner that will save you from trouble. Once you do it right, you would do frequent visits to the thrift stores!
1. Research where to buy.
Before you even think of going for a shopping, make sure you know where you can buy them. There are different thrift stores. Some sell clothes, others sell furniture, still others have different home decors that you can choose from. Try to search the internet. There might be helpful information that you can get about where to buy the things you need. You can also ask help from friends or you can tour the area first so you will know where to go.
2. Set a budget.
As always, it is always good to have a budget when you go shopping. Same is true even if you are buying home items from a thrift store. But be sure that the amount you have in mind suits the kind of items you intend to get. But I ’m sure you will be surprised to see very cheap items with good quality.
3. Know what you need.
You have to check your home first on the things that you really need to buy. If not, you might just get whatever stuffs to you see and these will merely be sleeping in the corner. So, make sure that when you buy something, you are really going to use it and you really need it. With this, you know which section of the thrift store you ’ll be going.
4. Think before you buy.
Do not be carried away with the cheap items you see. Just because it is very cheap, you might buy it for that sole reason. Make sure that it will be functional. Shop for things that you will use immediately and not those that you might need in the future. Once you see an item you need, ask yourself questions like: How can I use this? When can I use this? Where can I place this? Weigh your answers and use it as basis of your purchase.
5. Be creative.
It would be fun if you are able to think of creative uses of the items you have. If you find an old basket, you can use it to store magazines. If you see an old pot, you can paint it and use it as a flower vase or recreate it into a lovely centerpiece. Be creative with the things you see and this will surely make your purchase worthwhile.
6. Check items before buying them.
Always check the items that you like for damages and others. If there are damages, can you still do something about it? Would it be easy to fix? Don ’t buy it if you think you will be spending more than how much you bought the item. Look closely into every part of it and always think of a solution. If you can ’t think of any, you can drop it because you might not be able to use it. When buying furniture, check if it is still sturdy and look into every detail of it. If you think it is a unique find, then grab it.
7. Look for discounts.
I know you are buying from a thrift store but it doesn ’t mean that you are no longer entitled for discounts. Thrift stores would have schedules when they will sell items for 50% off or even 75% off. Of course, expect to see fewer nice items because these are the “leftovers” of what others have chosen from. Nevertheless, you might still find something nice from there. Don ’t be afraid to haggle too.
8. Look at tags or brands.
Before you get that furniture or that vase, check if there is a tag and where it came from. If it is just something that is from a local store, then it wouldn ’t be worth it. But if it is an antique stuff or something that comes from an expensive brand, give it a go! It will really be worth it!
9. Always think of how to clean them.
Image: Internet Sense| Flickr
It is important that you know how to clean the things that you will buy. Before you even buy it, think of how you are planning to get stains or other dirt on it. If you think it would be hard, then pass on it. This is very important especially if you are buying furniture.
10. Take your time and remember there is still a next time.
It wouldn ’t be good to go thrift shopping on a rush. See to it that you have enough time to choose items because if not, you might waste your money in buying those that are not really worth it. If you can ’t find something really nice when you got there, don ’t worry. You can leave empty handed. There is still another time. Try asking when new items are coming so you can go there to check. If you still can ’t find what you want, just check back often and for sure you will get that soon!
There you go, so the next time you visit the thrift store, bear in mind the things we mentioned above. After all, it is for your own good and I am just making sure that you get good value for you money. With that, you will be able to do your chair makeover or other DIY stuffs with pride that you were able to get a good item that is cheaper than that what others have bought from the market. It is actually fun to buy from thrift stores. If you haven ’t done that, try it and you will be pleased with yourself that you were able to decorate your home with all those thrifted items!
10 Tips to Consider When Buying Home Items from Thrift Stores
