Thrift store shopping

JDgreen

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How many of the members here love to shop at thrift stores? There is a Goodwill three miles distant from us, I try to get there frequently. Last week I purchased a brand new, open box Singer basic sewing machine, a return to target (Goodwill sells merchandise returned to Target stores) for $15.99 plus sales tax. Yesterday, I grabbed a Homelite straight shaft, 25 cc gas weedeater for $19.99 and tax. It wasn't in the carton, but had never been used, no grass clippings or dirt on the shaft or spool, just dust on the topside. Used my Blackberry to Google the item, it sells on Amazon for $99.99 reconditioned, plus $20 shipping. Last year, I found a brand new, still in the carton, brass plated lavatory faucet (Delta) for, get this...$9.99 and tax. The suggested retail price is almost $280...it just so happened that I had recently added a half bath to our basement a needed a faucet, I wasn't looking for one in particular but just lucked out. Gives me a good feeling when I save money like that. :biggrin:
 

noma

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Hay JD Green

I wish i could find a store like that all we find is junk, maybe if i know when they put the new stuff out and was there then there might be better buys then. I do like to go to auction but don't find to many great buys there either. I guess its if you are in the right place at the right time. I sure would like to go shopping where you live.:eek:
 

Two-Stroke

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How many of the members here love to shop at thrift stores? There is a Goodwill three miles distant from us, I try to get there frequently. Last week I purchased a brand new, open box Singer basic sewing machine, a return to target (Goodwill sells merchandise returned to Target stores) for $15.99 plus sales tax. Yesterday, I grabbed a Homelite straight shaft, 25 cc gas weedeater for $19.99 and tax. It wasn't in the carton, but had never been used, no grass clippings or dirt on the shaft or spool, just dust on the topside. Used my Blackberry to Google the item, it sells on Amazon for $99.99 reconditioned, plus $20 shipping. Last year, I found a brand new, still in the carton, brass plated lavatory faucet (Delta) for, get this...$9.99 and tax. The suggested retail price is almost $280...it just so happened that I had recently added a half bath to our basement a needed a faucet, I wasn't looking for one in particular but just lucked out. Gives me a good feeling when I save money like that. :biggrin:

I have a Goodwill store near me and it's nothing like that -- mostly just piles of used clothes.

I find bargains on Craigslist sometimes. Recently, I found a compressor that would be at least $400 new for $100, including some fittings and a hose.
 

carl22

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Yeah J.D., I think you have the best thrift store up there in Michigan. We have some down here too but very seldom is there anything brand new. I do like to go to auctions though. I got a nice Homelite weed whacker, brand new in the box, for $10. A friend of mine got a brand new push mower for $5.
 

JDgreen

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Yeah J.D., I think you have the best thrift store up there in Michigan. We have some down here too but very seldom is there anything brand new. I do like to go to auctions though. I got a nice Homelite weed whacker, brand new in the box, for $10. A friend of mine got a brand new push mower for $5.

My hearing is so bad I can't bid at auctions...maybe thats good as I have two big barns and a three car garage and a huge basement, they are full enough already lol. Used to be there was a lot more stuff at thrift stores here in Michigan, because of the economy people are not buying new stuff and getting rid of the old, or there are more people looking for bargains.

I have a favorite saying: "Saving money is the retired guy's full time job"....:biggrin:
 

landscaper

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Hubby and I are also big fans of thrift stores. However, recently with three kids already, we can't find a time to visit any thrift store anymore. We now do it online. :D and we are great sellers of old stuffs too mostly computer parts.. :wink:
 

JDgreen

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Hubby and I are also big fans of thrift stores. However, recently with three kids already, we can't find a time to visit any thrift store anymore. We now do it online. :D and we are great sellers of old stuffs too mostly computer parts.. :wink:

"Online thrift stores"...hmm never thought of doing that, although I do buy a lot of stuff from Ebay...will have to Google for your suggestion, thanks !! You sell old computer parts...hmm am I bid for a never-used, still in the box, ATI All-in-wonder 9600? Bought it on Ebay, seller said it had DVI output, a lie, and refused to take it back. Did I ever neg them!!
 

landscaper

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"Online thrift stores"...hmm never thought of doing that, although I do buy a lot of stuff from Ebay...will have to Google for your suggestion, thanks !! You sell old computer parts...hmm am I bid for a never-used, still in the box, ATI All-in-wonder 9600? Bought it on Ebay, seller said it had DVI output, a lie, and refused to take it back. Did I ever neg them!!

Sorry to hear that. Hubby is a technician. He accompanies his clients to computer stores. Sometimes he got freebies from the store while sometimes his clients decide to upgrade the current specs and give the replaced parts to him. We normally sell brand new items. However, there are also group of people that buy defective motherboard in here.. :) that is the amazing part... ;)
 

Mean Machine

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In town here we have the coolest RV parts store. They pull usable components out of used RVs----EVERYTHING you can imagine. They've been in business for over 30 years. I wish there was a garden equipment store like that!
 
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