For All Thrifty Shoppers - A Question

KC Tomboy

For all those who love to shop at thrift and consignment stores, do you have issues paying retail prices for items?

Most of my wardrobe is from thrift/consignment or eBay. Even if I buy retail, it’s usually on clearance or outlet. When I was younger, it really was a budget issue. But now, I do have disposable income, but I still can’t bring myself to pay full retail for my wardrobe. Maybe it’s that rush of adrenaline when you find the perfect piece for pennies. Thanks to all the advice from this forum, I think I still dress pretty well (that is, until Stacy and Clinton show up on my doorstep with a $5000 credit card!). I find if I wait long enough, I usually find the piece I’m looking for – like the red skinny jeans in my other post, or the black leather Ann Taylor pencil skirt I found last year for $2!

In late August, I tagged along on my hubby’s business trip to NYC. I shopped while he went to seminars. Other than buying some things at Uniqlo, I couldn’t bring myself to buy anything. I kept thinking, “I could get this at Goodwill for $4.99.” I went into the flagship Bloomingdales, lasted about 5 minutes. I was almost hyperventilating at the prices. Now I’m kicking myself because there were some unique pieces that I probably won’t ever see here in KC.

So, do I need to chill out a bit? Am I missing out?

13 years ago

Shopping

10 replies

Latest reply was from Anne Boleyn

(website)

Veteran

I'm a recovering bargain hunter. Not so much thrift stores, but discounts and sales on new merchandise. I also eBay quite a bit, so I guess that is a version of thrifting although I mostly buy NewWithTags there as well.
I still avoid full retail price when possible, but I don't let a price automatically make me turn down an item anymore. I am still kicking myself that I've never tried on a DVF wrap dress because it's been 'out of my budget'. Well, if I had gone into Nordie's dressing room with a few, I could now easily buy on eBay, knowing my size. Anyway, I have a slew of items that are 'almosts' due to sales. Almost fit right, almost the right color, and on and on. I aim to not do that anymore. This doesn't mean I am looking to spend full retail from here on out! But it does mean I am not going to let full retail stand in the way of me and a perfect item.
That said, there is almost always a sale if you are willing to stalk and wait. Even my most expensive purchase, Frye boots, I got at 40% off at Amazon by searching and stalking. So, you can have your cake and eat it too, if you have the time and the inclination to really hunt.

EDIT: and I wanted to add, like you, I can afford more now but the big internal struggle is telling myself "I am worth spending on".

13 years ago

Anonymous

We have a lot in common, KC! Most of my wardrobe is thrifted, with a few full price (but lower end) pieces thrown in to modernize things a bit. I recently had some cash from consigning some clothes and I bit the bullet and ordered a Breton shirt from LLBean ($30) and some black trousers from the Gap ($50). If either of them had been perfect, I would have kept them, but they're both going back. Part of me is relieved because that is a lot of money to me. I'm a lot less picky on items that are only a few dollars, but when I buy a new item, I can almost always find something wrong with it that keeps me from forking over the money.

For me, it's still a budget issue so I don't know if I *have a problem* or not. For the record, if Clinton and Stacy showed up on my doorstep with that gift card, I wonder if I'd be one of the women who have meltdowns while shopping and require therapy. I think my biggest issue would be paralyzing perfectionism--making sure each purchase was well thought out and fit into the plan for my wardrobe, which I would probably lie awake thinking about all night every night.

The thing that stands out about your situation is that the prices themselves are causing you to panic (not the sensory overload of overwhelming selection). The fact that you bought a few things a Uniqlo is a good sign at least. If there was something that you just loved that you would get high use out of, like a winter coat, could you pay retail for it? Often I really don't love what's on offer, so it's easy for me to walk away.

13 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I think the crux of it is, as Claire mentioned, as the price climbs, our pickiness increases. Conversely, as the price drops, so do our standards of what we'll accept and settle for!

13 years ago

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

As someone who is losing weight and has to replace an entire wardrobe, I have really kicked up my thrifting. I also use to own a consignment store, so love getting things at a great deal. I however, will be adding in pieces to fill out my wardrobe with investment pieces and skinny jeans or other items that I don't find thrifting. I don't think I will ever do full price and am thrilled that reaching my goal weight should be in January, so sales galore! As a mother of four, I will always like to stretch our income. I have been buying lots of purses lately since i just started a blog. I have thrifted the majority for just $4 each.
I wasn't having luck with a snakeskin or green one so did purchase those new. I got them on clearance at QVC using their payment plan and no finance charges, so still looking for deals. Am dying for a red and yellow purse and plan to check out TJ Maxx for a bargain. I think once it has now become part of my DNA and it is not something I want to change....

13 years ago

JAileen

Veteran

I could afford to walk into any store (in this town, anyway) and buy anything I wanted, but I don't do that because my life is such that I don't need anything, and also because I think that would be wasteful. Most days all I do is walk the dog or go grocery shopping.

I thrift a lot, but never shoes, underwear, and a few other things. Retail prices are shocking, but I bought some Frye boots (over $300!) a few weeks ago, and didn't feel too guilty because I honestly don't spend that much on clothes in general. I like to thrift things that I would never buy otherwise, such as leather jackets, sweaters, interesting tops, dresses, handbags, scarves. Now when I actually do have some kind of event to go to, I have lots of fun options to choose from.

I'm also a volunteer at a nonprofit that runs a thrift store. My friends know I buy things there and at other thrifts, and often ask about clothes I'm wearing. I feel like I'm helping to advertise our store, and remove any stigma they may have toward thrifting. I remember a woman I used to work with who was horrified at the idea of dressing her baby in used clothes. I thought she was a fool. The money she wasted could have been put in her baby's college fund!

13 years ago

Mellllls

Veteran

i have a hard time paying full price on things i don't "need" so i definitely understand what you are saying.

13 years ago

Deborah

Veteran

Regardless of if I am paying full price, sale price or thrifting, the garment fas to be perfect and special...to me:). In Australia, the mark up on clothing is extreme so there has to be a good reason for me to consider an item worthy of paying full price, and sometimes I do. Recently I had Ben stalking a tunic which was around 100.00. It was in store in winter but very clearly more appropriate for Spring. Had I bought it in Winter I would have only now been able to wear it. A month ago it was reduced to about 59.00. Yesterday I popped into their outlet store and bought it for 20.00. This scenario doesn't always happen but it's nice when it does. Over winter however I bought footwear at full price because I needed it then and there and my assessment was that the shoes and booties were worth the money I paid. I think for everyone it's a matter of what the item is worth to you. I thrift too, and those items must be as new or I don't even look at them;)

13 years ago

Anonymous

I agree with Mo- I am tired of ending up with those not quit right items. I find with thrifting it's too easy to buy stuff I don't need and I noticed over the years I have ended up with mostly black and some other very neutral colors. My wardrobe was looking somewhat boring.
I am trying to shop with intent for specifics, but it is really hard paying out the full retail dollar and I am SUPER picky about quality if paying $$$.

13 years ago

KC Tomboy

Active Member

Thanks for all the insight. I think I don't spend on retail because I don't really need anything. I love to cook and have no problem spending money on expensive ingredients or cookware, so I don't think it's a self-esteem thing!

Mostly, I'm kicking myself because while on the NYC trip, I bought my daughter an awesome faux leather moto grey jacket at Zara (her birthday present). I wanted one too but couldn't bring myself to pay another $150 for it. Now back in KC, I haven't seen anything like it. Guess I'll have to sit on the sidelines for this trend, unless I find one in a thrift store!

13 years ago

Anne Boleyn

Active Member

For me it's still a question of budget, since I'm a broke student and will be so for the forseeable future. However, because of size limits for my wardrobe I'm also incredibly picky when I thrift shop, and I donate whatever no longer fits perfectly or doesn't work with my other clothes, so I'm in love with 90% of what I own.

I think it's definitely worthwhile to set an annual or monthly budget, only buy what is perfect (even if thrifting) unless you're desperate and need X for tomorrow, and use the unspent portion of the budget on expensive stuff you truly love. Because, like you said, what's the point of a pile of almosts?

13 years ago

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