shopfrugality tip: where to look

For some, the hardest part of secondhand shopping is knowing where to go and what to expect. Here are some basic guidelines broken down in price ranges. Hope this helps!

High-level Price: Specialty Stores, "High-end" Consignment, Buy Sell Trade Stores
Local (seattle) examples: red light, buffalo exchange
Expect to pay, average for a dress: $15-20
Pros: Almost always gauranteed to find something in a selection of "on trend," high quality clothing. And, at a buy, sell, trade, you can unload some of your oldies for store credit aka new clothes!
Cons: Prices are higher, and it's not as thrilling of a hunt

Mid-level Price: Chain Stores
Examples: goodwill, value village/savers
Expect to pay, average for a dress: $8-12
Pros: HUGE selection to hunt through
Cons: HUGE selection to hunt through

Low-level Price: Mom and Pop Thrift Stores
For Local Examples: thumb through yellow pages under "Thrift Stores," or "Second Hand Stores"
Expect to pay, average for a dress: $3-6
Pros: cheap, cheap, cheap, and usually the least picked-through selection
Cons: sometimes strange hours, locations, owners, experiences (but that's half the fun, right?)

Insider tips:

• I didn't list Salvation Army under the chain stores because their prices tend to be ridiculously low for a chain (which makes it my personal favorite).
• Garage Sales belong in a category all their own because it's ALWAYS hit or miss--just be sure to go with lots of energy, and low expectations.
• Go outside the "big city" and be prepared to be shocked. I'm talking items for pennies! PENNIES! I recently went to Deer Lake, WA (30min outside North Spokane) and purchased a perfect conditioned red clutch for 10 cents! 10 CENTS!