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Thrift Returns and a Realization

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

A new morning sometimes reveals clearer thoughts...there are two items from yesterday's thrift haul that I'll be returning (http://youlookfab.com/welookfa.....y-surprise). The patterned linen skirt is being returned because the more I look at it, the more it looks like kitchen fabric and the placement of the one potted pineapple directly over the crotch area is a deal breaker - can't believe I didn't notice that. The second return is unfortunately going to be the nude sandals. I put them on last night to do a bit of walking around in the house before pulling off the tag and my feet had swollen some due to the heat and humidity (common for me in the summer) and I actually couldn't even slide my left foot into the sandal. My mother was right - you should try on shoes at the end of the day because that's when you really need them to fit

My returns annoy me for two reasons: 1) this thrift store does not do refunds, only exchanges and you only have six days - what if there is nothing decent to exchange for in that time period? This has happened to me before. 2) the linen skirt in particular is something I should have known was wrong. Although the fabric is lovely, the ruffle in the front is quite country-ish (definitely NOT a style I'm wanting) and I suspect this skirt would end up being difficult to wear in a modern way. I really need to think about purchases first.

During this thought process I came to a realization - the pricier items I have purchased over the last year with YLF and those that I really thought over and worked through in my head regarding styling, are the ones that are my wardrobe favourites and that work the most for me. There are some thrift exceptions that have been amazing (the red/white polka dot jacket, the white watch, the black skirt) but for the most part, my full purchases have been better bets for me. I've come to the conclusion that I tend to settle for "good enough" when thrifting and I need to stop that. It's mostly thrifted items that end up being closet orphans.

I'm going to stop thrifting for a while as I really don't need anything and make sure I think about any future purchases in a less impulsive way.

Thanks for listening to my ramblings.

General

21 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

Anonymous

Sounds like you made your purchases at Value Village (cousin of our Savers). Not the best return policy! It's annoying to be limited to an on-the-spot equal (or loose your money) exchange. Boo.

It was good reading your musings. It sounds like you're at a good place to cool your heels on thrifting for a while. I took a hiatus from thrifting for several months over the winter and it was really good for me. I agree with you that it's really hard not to settle for something that's not quite perfect when it's so cheap, especially when you have a dire need. You've done amazing things with you're thrifting, so please don't beat yourself up too much. I don't know a better way to add some vintage quirk into the mix. And don't forget all of your fabulous bags! And Cleo petites you've found.

marianna

Veteran

I am totally on the same page with you. Thrifting doesn't work for me at all for the reasons you stated. I need time to make sure I am not making an impulsive purchase, and I *really* appreciate lenient/long return policies. I am extremely impulsive by nature so I shop at places that allow me to return easily if I have buyers remorse (which I do very very often).

rae

(website)

Veteran

A good lesson learned, so it was worth it in the end, right?

I have this problem at the swap meet... it's hard to turn down anything for a buck. I *try* to decide whether I would pay full price for it, but it's not always easy to trick the brain into thinking a piece costs 100X what it actually does. :T

Kari

Veteran

Shannon, so much of your wise thoughts here really resonate with me-very similar to what I've been thinking about lately.

"I've come to the conclusion that I tend to settle for "good enough" when thrifting and I need to stop that. It's mostly thrifted items that end up being closet orphans."

I'm not patient enough to thrift really effectively, but a few years ago you could have used this exact description for me-just substitute "sale" in place of thrifting! I really made do with less than okay pieces because they were inexpensive and marked down, and then I wondered why I'd never end up wearing them, or why they just didn't feel right. And from time to time I still fall for that trap.

Forum member Taylor said something to me a while back that I will try to paraphrase- "Don't settle for less than killer." That sentiment echoes in my ears when I'm shopping and consider making do with an "okay" item that *almost* works.

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

Funny, the few times I've tried thrifting, consignment and second hand shopping in general I find that I'm pickier than with retail items.

christieanne

Veteran

When I am thrifting I try to think "would I pay full price for this" in general. I so rarely find clothes at thrifts for myself though. Hopefully there is something you need for the house or DS or something. Good lesson. I didn't notice a bad print placement but must have been dazzled by the skirt too as I thought I liked it for summer evenings.

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I agree with your ramblings, my dear Shannon. For me, Forever21 is my black eye.

You have to admit, pineapple crotch is hilarious!

Jewell

Veteran

Loved reading your ramblings! I can relate to much of what you wrote, and I know that your thoughts helped some member or lurker more than you could ever know. Though frustrating, I find these kinds of experiences essential for learning to be smarter shoppers.

catgirl

Veteran

Shannon, I'm glad you realized this. If you read my response to your original post you'll notice it was a little ambivalent except regarding the dressy skirt. Not because I wasn't being honest, but sometimes I feel like it's hard to tell when you are branching out vs. when you want to be reined in.

I have this issue too, and I did stop thrifting for a while for this very reason - it was too easy to fall for things outside my real style zone. Same with Forever 21; there are just too many choices that are not me, but are so very tempting. Yesterday I saw THIS, which actually looked adorable on me and was very hard to walk away from:

http://www.forever21.com/Produ.....oduct_feed

But really? Me in a peter pan collar? No matter how cute it looked, it was not going to get worn.

Now I still thrift, but I have a mantra I chant and a list I keep on my iphone to keep me aligned with my style goals. The only exception is when I want to try a new trend that might be thriftable (vests!) and then I see if I can find it on the cheap.

You will get through this stage, and you will be better off for it! I am a fabulous thrifter (she said modestly) and there is that feeling of excitement at finding a "score". But it has to be a score for YOU (or in my case sometimes, for some other lucky YLFer!)...

XOXOXO. Hope this isn't too harsh.

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Claire - I have thrifted fabulous bags and those I most certainly do NOT regret. The true vintage pieces are from either a consignment store or an actual vintage shop, so I don't include those in actual thrifting. I have found a lot of Cleo Petite items at Value Village (and yes, that's the store I'm talking about) and have always been pleased with those. I'm not beating myself up at all - just thinking about where I go from here.

Rae - definitely a good lesson learned. I figure as long as I'm learning, my time hasn't truly been wasted.

Kari - I really appreciate your input. I read your thread about wearing your Bailey 44 dress and your musing on purchases and much of that resonated with me. And you're right that it's the same mentality whether it be thrifted or sale - falling for something that isn't your perfect 10 items just because it's a deal doesn't work.

Appreciate your comments Marianna, Anna, Christieanna, lyn and Jewell. And yes lyn - Pineapple Crotch is kinda hilarious!

Transcona Shannon

Veteran

Just saw your comments Una - not harsh at all! I always appreciate your honesty and expect nothing less from you. That's why your opinion is always valued.

To be honest, I'm not always sure what I'm looking for either. Obviously that's part of my problem! It seriously goes back to my childhood I think - we were not well off (that's an understatement!) and Goodwill/Salvation Army were the only "department stores" I knew. My mom would be so excited to find something that was "good enough" at a price she could afford and I truly believe that's been engrained in my system. I always have to feel like I'm getting a deal or I feel guilty for the purchase.

Please rein me in when I need Una - I will always thank you for it! I am keeping the clams and two sleeveless tops as they do fill a hole/need and are totally useful in my yard on those hot summer days.

I do think for the most part I'm a good thrifter (white watch, Gucci watch, fab handbags, pink J Crew dress, etc.) but I also get very easily distracted and make some poor choices. I think staying away for a while will give me some clarity. I once again need to make a list of what I'm truly looking for and needing/wanting for my wardrobe.

Kari

Veteran

"It's the same mentality whether it be thrifted or sale - falling for something that isn't your perfect 10 items just because it's a deal doesn't work."

...Or full price too, for that matter. I know some friends who have the opposite struggle - they are attracted to retail price items that may not be good purchases to add to their wardrobe, but reach for them because they are a certain brand/status. It's just that for me, sale items *are* my pitfall.

I also notice I'm a lot more discerning when I pay with something by credit card rather than by cash. If I carry cash, I'm more likely to spend it, whereas I use my credit card really more like a debit card - I will NOT spend more than I have available in my checking account (and the savings account doesn't get touched.) So I've largely stopped carrying cash with me.
Again, some friends have the opposite problem - they are more likely to charge something to a credit card, but with cash they stop to think more about the purchase before spending.

CocoLion

(website)

Veteran

I stopped thrifting a few years ago for this reason -- everything was turning into a closet orphan. This is due to the fact that the thrift stores are terrible in my area.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

for being such a bargain hunter, I feel totally out of the loop by not being a thrifter! Guess I'm with Denise, never having had good thrifting nearby, it's not worth the bother. Heck, I find such great deals at Beall's outlet and on eBay most the time, I don't need to thrift!

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, I completely relate to what you wrote. I do love thrifting and do not want to give it up, but these days, more often than not, I walk out empty handed. Things I would have picked up in the past just because of the brand, or the condition, or they were my size stay in the store. At the same time, I find the things I do find and like are very often from pricier consignment shops - still not terribly expensive but not in the $1-3 range. I still go, because once in a while I do find amazing things, but I have learned to enjoy (almost) the same high from leaving empty handed.

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I'm pretty much over thrifting for that reason. I'd rather spend a little more for the right item that I want in my correct size and desired color, instead of getting something cheap that is just good enough. Sometimes there are gems but I've had lots of "almost just rights" in thrifting. I did pick up a cute beach cover up tunic on Friday after reading Angie's beach blog post. I loved it and decided I'd wear it out for MOTG before I take it to the beach next week. Well there was a big hole in the front. I was able to sew it up but it made me really annoyed that I spent my money on a sub-par item that doesn't seem like it is going to last. Even for a thrifted item, I want it to last more than 5 minutes!!

Sveta

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, this is a great realization for sure. I was just thinking the same thing last week: when you buy something expensive you consider the purchase much more carefully and less likely to make an impulse buy. Stepping back from thrifting for a while is a wise thing to do.
However I don't think it should put you off thrifting all together because you had some great finds over the last year. I usually use thrifting as means to get something of a great quality I cannot afford in retail. I usually try to ask myself a question: "would I buy this for a full retail price" and "do I really need it". If the answer is not a resounding "yes" for both of these questions it stays in the store...

Echo

Veteran

While I don't thrift (haven't found anywhere worthwhile around here), I try to stick to, "If you wouldn't buy it at full price, then don't buy it on sale." That doesn't mean I buy all of my clothing full price! But it does make me stop and think about purchases and whether they would have been worth their original ticket price. Would I be devastated if I waited and it was gone? I don't always live up to this standard and I do occasionally still end up with pieces where I question what I was thinking, but it has really helped me to think about whether I am influenced by low-price madness or whether I really, genuinely love the item.

SOrry about your returns; I hope they have something worthy to exchange them for.

MNsara

Veteran

Wise thoughts, Shannon!

It's those rare thrifting gems, though, that keep us from swearing off thrifting altogether.

I think if you're not born with a discerning eye (i.e. Angie it takes time and lots of trial/error to develop more discernment. Sometimes I just tell myself it was a $6.99 lesson

I love how we all get to learn and benefit so much from YOUR style journey too!!

cheryle (Dianthus)

(website)

Veteran

I think it is great that you have analyzed the issue and made informed decisions. I wonder if part of the problem is that there isn't the variety available to choose from when thrifting. What I mean by that is that in a retail store if something isn't quite right, you are able to try the next size or sometimes there are other cuts in the same fabric. In a thrift store, it is the one item that catches your eye or none at all. It is a very all or nothing experience.,You don't often get a second chance when you regret leaving something behind either so it is buy now or never.

I haven't really thrifted for clothes but do for furniture and use kijiji and I think it is a similar process. It is hard to decide at times and some decisions are the wrong ones. We live - we learn.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Shannon, you aren't just a "good" but a BRILLIANT thriftier. You've made some very wise, very canny, and very lucky purchases through thrifting. If you've also made a few mistakes, you're still ahead of most of us in that regard.

Having said that, I think you're right that thrifting can lead to impulse purchases that become closet orphans, especially where return policies are stringent. I almost never buy any more at our Value Village precisely for that reason; I'll only take something if I know absolutely that it's right. (I'm saved from temptation by the fact that our Value Village almost never has anything worth buying!)

Since YLF I have turned from thrifting proper to consignment and/or vintage shopping, which I see you put in a different category. I tend to lump them all together, but I do think you're right; they're really not the same at all.

Still, the "thrill of the find" is similar. There may not be quite the same "thrill of the DEAL" but of course there is also some of that with consignment and vintage shopping.

And ... just to play devil's advocate for a moment, I don't think that's a pleasure you can easily discount.

I'm not saying you shouldn't stop thrifting; I'm just saying you may mourn it if you don't account for that peculiar pleasure, which is not identical to the pleasure of creating a great outfit or a fabulous wardrobe (though, if you're smart and lucky, they may be connected).

I also think, for me, part of the pleasure of vintage or consignment (and to a much more limited extent, thrift) shopping is the experience of having found something unique. Something just a bit different than what everybody else is wearing. I'll never be ahead of the trends in fashion. But I do like things that are unique. Vintage/consignment is one way to find those items.

Anyway...not sure I am making myself clear. I am hugely in favour of Angie's three Ps. And sometimes when I'm in a thrifting mood I'm much more prone to impatience, impracticality, and lack of pickiness. But at the same time, there is something to be said for the pleasure of the lucky find.

And you are awfully tough on yourself. From what I can see, you try to budget carefully and shop within your means. And make darn few mistakes.