Shopping for Secondhand Bargains

There was a time when there was a stigma about secondhand shopping, but these days you will find people from all walks of life combing through thrift stores for bargains. While the competition to find quality stuff at bargain prices is intense, you can still find gems among the garbage. Although you are not as likely to find a true antique, if you are lucky and spot a 19thcentury cut glass vase in a box of old dishes, you will get it for a song.

If your taste runs more to the odd, interesting bits and pieces for your toy collection, secondhand shopping was designed for you. Let’s face it, when it comes to value, age isn’t the only factor that is important. Some collectibles and vintage pieces can be more valuable than true antiques. It all depends on the particular items and its popularity.

If you are used to shopping only at places like Macy’s or even Wal-Mart, consignment stores, secondhand or resale stores, and thrift shops are a good place to get your feet wet. The merchandise in these places is typically fairly organized, and the prices are basically fixed. Unlike flea markets and tag sales, there isn’t that sense of urgency to sift through the merchandise quickly in order to get the best pick.

There are differences, however, between the three types of stores – in prices, in how they obtain their merchandise, and in where the profits from the sale go.

Consignment Shops

There is a growing trend to sell used furniture in consignment shops that specialize in home furnishings. These stores differ from thrift shops because the quality and condition of goods is better than those you find elsewhere. You will also pay somewhat higher prices for consignment goods than you would for thrift store items. That is because the consignment shop pays donors a cut of the selling price.

Certain consignment shops can be a gold mine for the antiques buyer. While most merely provide a way for people to get rid of their discarded merchandise, a growing number handle antique goods such as crystal, sterling silver, and home furnishings at 60 percent or more off retail.

Secondhand and Thrift Stores

Secondhand, or resale, stores buy their merchandise outright and may also sell donated merchandise. Since resale stores operate on a for profit basis, prices are higher than in thrift stores but still at least half off the retail selling price.

Thrift stores are nonprofit and run by charitable organizations. There are 22 national charity organizations that operate thrift stores. Most people are familiar with Goodwill Industries, on of the largest, which operates about 1,400 stores nationwide. Since thrift stores sell strictly donated merchandise, prices are low. You will also find a wider range of merchandise spanning several decades of trends and fashion.

While you are sure to find good deals in these stores, specialized shopping strategies will help you avoid some of the pitfalls of consignment, secondhand, and thrift shopping and maximize your savings.

Shopping Strategies

Check the neighborhood. There is a direct correlation between the affluence of the neighborhood and the merchandise in the store. In transient areas, there tends to be an abundance of good merchandise in thrift stores as people clean house before moving away.

Do some window shopping. Often the most unique items are found in the window displays, where they will attract customers. These display items usually go up for sale the day the display is changes. If you want a window display item, you can come back when the items go up for sale.

Ask about the back room. Before you leave a secondhand store, ask if they have a designer or back room. These boutique sections are not open to the general public without an appointment, but many stores keep their better merchandise there.

Dig for buried treasure. Look where no one else wants to look. Head for the dirty box in the corner with junk piled on top. Chances are, you will get first crack at the contents.

Tag and Garage Sales

If you are ready for some down and dirty shopping, you will find dozens of opportunities every weekend at local tag sales, yard sales, and garage sales. You can find old toys, house wares, and furniture, plus an odd assortment of brick-a-brac, collectibles, and just plain junk. A surprising number of antiques go unrecognized in such places.

Shopping Strategies

Dress down. You will enhance your bargaining power if you dress casually. If you are dressed to excess, flaunting designer duds, sellers will presume that you can afford to pay top dollar.

Always bargain. No matter what the price is, try to bargain down. Always make an offer and remember to be fair.

Flash the cash. The sight of a $20 bill may persuade someone to part with a $30 item.

Flea Markets

Some people say you can’t expect miracle finds at flea markets anymore because sellers nowadays generally know the value of their wares. Still, you can learn a lot and have fun doing so as you hunt for the odd bargain or colorful addition to your collection.

There are literally thousands of flea markets in the United States, but only a handful are truly exceptional. Wherever you go, the rules remain the same: travel lightly, wear comfortable shoes, and take a roomy shopping bag. And take cash – most dealers frown on checks and credit cards.

Auctions and Estate Sales

Another way to educate yourself in the value of collectibles and antique furniture – and maybe pick up a few bargains in the process – is by frequenting auctions and estate sales.

In both venues, you often buy the goods in lots, so you get more than you pay for. Often along with the cast offs there are some useful items- particularly tools and the like.

You will see maybe 400 items pass over the block in just a few hours. What are they? How old are they? Was there much bidding for them? What did they sell for? Now that is an education – do it for 6 months and you will be pretty well sharpened up about what things are worth.

Local auctioneers who run the estate sales have mailing lists of potential buyers. Ask to be put on the list, and you will get regular notices of upcoming auctions.

Pawnshops

For most of us, the word pawnshop conjures up an uninviting image of a dimly lit store on the seamy side of town cluttered with merchandise, complete with iron bars on the windows.

But pawnshops have changed. Pawnshops used to have a reputation for fencing stolen goods, today’s businesses are heavily regulated, and reputable dealers won’t handle any merchandise that they suspect might be stolen. The new breed of pawnshops looks much like a regular store – well lit and spacious, with tasteful displays of merchandise.

So don’t write off pawnshops as a potential gold mine for antiques and collectibles. In fact, pawnshops are a favorite haunt for antique dealers, jewelers, and diamond wholesalers, and with good reason. Some merchandise is a slow as 30 percent below wholesale.

That is because a pawnbroker’s main business is making loans. As a result, the broker wants as much capital available as possible. Most pawnbrokers will negotiate with you if you make any reasonable offer. Rather than get top dollar, they just want to move merchandise out the door.