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Originally Posted On: https://thrifttownstores.com/best-days-for-thrift-store-deals/
Unlike normal retail stores, thrift stores don’t have specific sales cycles, as inventory always changes depending on the donations given. With that said, you can use patterns and seasonal adjustments to your advantage, so you can get some real bargains.
When are the Best Times to Shop?
One of the best times for you to go shopping would be on a Monday morning. Many people clear out their homes on a weekend, so this gives you a chance to have a look at new items with ease. Garage sales might have ended as well, and it’s not uncommon to see unsold items donated. You can also shop at the end of the month. Many thrift stores try to clear out old items for new ones, which can usually mean additional discounts.
Seasonal shifts can also help you to time your thrift shop. As the weather turns, people’s needs for home decor and clothes change. This can lead to more of a certain item appearing. Spring cleaning is a big window that you can take advantage of here. People donate things that they don’t need, and as a result, thrift stores see an increase in their total products available.
Clothing Bargains
If you’re after clothing in particular, late summer and early fall are good windows for you to take advantage of. You might even find furniture from dorms during this time as well. As parents prepare for the school year, they often sell older clothes that still have plenty of wear left. Holidays can also be a good time for you to shop for clothes, as people clear out before Christmas to make room for more items. After Christmas, people also donate the things they don’t want, which can lead to an influx of new stock. As a result, thrift stores lower the prices of older stock.
Extra Thrifting Opportunities
If you want to capitalize on deals and discounts even more, then you should know that yard sales are very popular. Yard sale leftovers often get donated to local thrift stores, so if you know that there are a lot of sales in your local area, wait until they end and then visit the thrift store for even bigger savings. If you want to get the best result, then make sure that you visit as early as you can in the morning, as this is the best way for you to get access to new items.
Use Tech to Your Advantage
Technology can help you a lot with thrift shopping. Make sure that you follow your local thrift stores on social media, as this is a great way for you to learn about any upcoming sales or events. It also allows you to compare different deals. Thrift stores often post photos of the stock they have, which gives you a heads-up on what’s available. Some thrift stores also have their own app that you can use to monitor deals. Here at Thrift Town Stores, we give you the chance to save even more by becoming a VIP member as well. This is all managed digitally. If you spend $1, you earn 1 point, and when you get to 100 points, you can claim $5 off when you spend $15. We also offer a range of exclusive discounts, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for other things like this.
Be Patient
You also need to be patient. Patience is important when shopping at thrift stores, as they may not always have a set amount of inventory. Hunting is fun, however, so you need to be ready to search around. Online stores are great, as they can tell you about any nearby opportunities that you might not have been aware of. Regular visits do pay off, too, so make sure that you visit your local thrift store regularly. When you do, you will find things you never knew you needed. The great thing about thrift stores is that what was there yesterday might not be there today, so be opportunistic and be mindful of specific sales that are being advertised.
Get to Know the Staff
You should also get to know the staff who work at your local thrift store. They might be able to tell you about any local sales that they are hosting. Some may have preferences you can ask about as well. It’s smart to follow the rules and respect store policy, as this is a great way for you to build good relationships with the people who work there, while also setting yourself up for a successful go at shopping in the future.
Getting the Biggest Deals and Discounts
Of course, if you want to get the biggest deals and discounts, you do need to make sure that you go to your local thrift shop in the morning, and right after Christmas. A lot of people go to thrift stores to try and find last-minute bargains, and although this is great, you do face a lot of competition. After Christmas, however, most people are shopped out and are looking for ways to try and clear out their home. This is your window, so try and make sure that you keep that in mind. You can also apply this concept to other items. Going to the thrift store after the school year has started, rather than before, is a good way for you to secure clothing bargains. Little tricks like this make total sense, and if you can keep them in mind, then you will find it easier to not only get the result you need out of your shopping, but also to make sure that you can get the biggest discounts possible.
If you want to find some bargains, you can also visit our own thrift stores. We have four locations in Texas and one in New Mexico. Stock is always shifting, with loyalty schemes available for those who want more discounts. We’re open until 8 pm too, so you can shop later, while getting access to great deals.