https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-custom-thrift-update Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 25 Apr 2026 07:05:29 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-custom-thrift-update#post-488905 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 21:11:31 +0000 Aida 488905@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm glad to hear it went well, Rae! I am full agreement with others that you could certainly raise prices, especially after seeing the retail value of some of those items. I think shooting for consignment prices would make sense; you are offering a similar curated selection, though much more customized, and while you may not have a brick-and-mortar storefront, you do travel. Looking forward to hearing more about this venture </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-custom-thrift-update#post-488865 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 20:10:24 +0000 rae 488865@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thank you, QM and AJ! I would not have had the courage to do it without the initial response from the forum. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-custom-thrift-update#post-488501 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 05:13:30 +0000 AJ 488501@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>SQUEEEEE! Oh you took the first steps! Congrats on a successful trial run! </p> <p>It takes lots of courage to go for a dream and I'm so proud of you, Rae! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-custom-thrift-update#post-488493 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:49:31 +0000 Queen Mum 488493@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Sounds like the beginnings of a long and lucrative career ... or atleast a fun one! Seriously, I think you have a fabulous idea here. I hope you get things off and running! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-custom-thrift-update#post-488486 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 04:38:20 +0000 rae 488486@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Una, it surely is hard - I think the universe keeps it that way as an equalizer.</p> <p>Angie, as a shining example of someone who does what she loves for a living, your encouragement means the world. Warm, fuzzy feelings... </p> <p>Anna and Sveta, you know I value your opinions - thanks for taking time to comment. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-custom-thrift-update#post-488439 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 03:21:25 +0000 Sveta 488439@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rae, that is awesome and a very good start. It is hard to start your own business and takes a lot of time, patience and character. I also think that you could have raised your prices. You should orient to consignment store prices rather than Goodwill as your stuff is high-end, pre-cleaned and pre-selected.<br /> I would become your client if I lived there...<br /> Good luck and keep us posted on your progress. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-custom-thrift-update#post-488435 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 03:13:44 +0000 annagybe 488435@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>That's awesome. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-custom-thrift-update#post-488432 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 03:12:14 +0000 rosee 488432@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Just wanted to add that I read your blog post too and thought this sounded really great. The prices were a steal considering that everything was cleaned /drycleaned -- what service! Hope things work out for you with this in the future. Great side income, and you love doing it anyway. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-custom-thrift-update#post-488349 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:33:52 +0000 Angie 488349@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>You have to start somewhere and I am tickled pink to hear that you took a stab at this. Well done, Rae! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-custom-thrift-update#post-488319 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:16:39 +0000 catgirl 488319@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Fascinating! And a great idea to do a test run. It's surprisingly hard to make $ at what you love doing. For instance, if I charged someone for the time I spend making (and seam-ripping) a quilt, I would be rich. But no one would pay that much, so I only give them as gifts.</p> <p>Your idea is fab and once you work out the kinks, you should keep up the test runs until you have a going concern. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-custom-thrift-update#post-488293 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:03:08 +0000 rae 488293@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Thanks for the encouragement, ladies! I was just telling my friend last night: sometimes I worry that I'm "that guy" - getting carried away with a pipe dream. </p> <p>Ana - I very much appreciate the news that other businesses start below living wage. It really helps mitigate that you're-doing-it-wrong feeling. </p> <p>Sylvie - thanks so much for taking time to read the post. It was hard to decide on the prices, since I wanted things to still sound like a deal. In the end I did feel like I could have upped the costs, especialy since I forgot the selling point that everything is pre-dry cleaned. Maybe I can raise my stuff to Buffalo Exchange or F21 price points? </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-custom-thrift-update#post-488288 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:59:03 +0000 crwilson 488288@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I'm so glad that you're still pursuing this Rae. Every time I pass a thrift store, I think, boy I wish Rae lived closer because I would TOTALLY hire her to sort through all those piles and pick out the best pieces. I'm glad that you had fun! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-custom-thrift-update#post-488284 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:52:37 +0000 Sylvie 488284@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I read your blog entry and I felt like your prices were too low. Obviously for the first trial party with your friends, you're not trying to gouge them but if you were doing this for strangers, you should charge much more.</p> <p>The fact that you're picking out clothes specifically in sizes/styles for the guests at your party is an *extremely* valuable service and if I were to attend one of your parties, I'd be willing to pay for it. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-custom-thrift-update#post-488282 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:48:17 +0000 Anonymous 488282@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Now that's usin' yer noggin'! And I thought all the good ideas were gone. This sounds like a perfect little side biz for you. You can try it without investing a ton of dough and you don't have to buy into some franchise. Brilliant! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-custom-thrift-update#post-488279 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:46:54 +0000 Jjsloane 488279@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Good for you making progress on what could be your dream job! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-custom-thrift-update#post-488261 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:33:44 +0000 Transcona Shannon 488261@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rae - this so cool! And I bet you all had a blast. Keep us posted on how things progress - I think this is just such a wonderful idea. Wish I lived closer to you!!! </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-custom-thrift-update#post-488242 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:19:28 +0000 Ana 488242@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Oh, I thought by your post that you lost money on it. Making money right from the start is very, very good. I think a lot of work (especially when you're self-employed) starts out essentially paying less than minimum/living wage, so you're in good company. : ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-custom-thrift-update#post-488240 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:15:32 +0000 rae 488240@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Actually, I didn't lose money! Even without Ebay, I more than doubled what I spent. Still, it's not even close to a minimum-wage job when you break it down over time. </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-custom-thrift-update#post-488235 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:10:56 +0000 Ana 488235@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>Rae, this is so awesome! I think I remember you posting about this business idea a few months ago. Thank you for the update.</p> <p>As time goes on, you will probably streamline your process and might not lose as much money. And there's a possibility you could even make money, of course. For now, if you're having fun doing it (most of the time, at least) and the losses are affordable, then stick with it! I'll enjoy seeing how your business develops. : ) </p> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/ot-custom-thrift-update#post-488231 Thu, 15 Dec 2011 00:03:51 +0000 rae 488231@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <p>I have the full rundown here:<br /> <a href="http://onedollarwonders.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow">http://onedollarwonders.blogspot.com/</a></p> <p>But in short, it was a lot of fun. I learned a lot about my friends' styles, got to pass along some YLF advice about what goes with what, and hook the ladies up with a few really great brand name scores. It's not someting I could make a living on its alone, but after listing the stuff that didn't sell on Ebay, it's not half bad for a "labour of love" - businesses usually lose money at first, right? My buds and I are also contemplating throwing large-scale swap parties... work in progress. </p> <p>To the so-Cal YLF-ers, I hope you don't feel snubbed or anything for not being invited... I felt uncomfortable asking anyone but the closest girls to take time out during the holiday rush to indulge me like this, and my apartment is pretty small. :T </p>