You hear it all the time when the topic of secondhand shopping comes up.
"I could never buy somebody's used junk! It's just gross!"
Like the kids say nowadays, "really?"
Think about it. Objectively this time. Rather than going with some of the most commonplace myths surrounding the idea of buying something not entirely new, a simple re-examination of three of these myths may ultimately save you potentially hundreds in otherwise wasted dollars on everyday items.
Myth #1: Secondhand Equals Second Rate.
Many folks mistakenly perceive the practice of shopping second hand as a cop-out; a resignation that anything purchased at a thrift store, garage sale, rummage sale, or auction automatically renders it sub-par and not even remotely comparable to the same item purchased at a "regular" retailer.
Oh yeah?
Well maybe that's true.
Unless you were at Goodwill. According to author Marian Liu of the Seattle Times, in her article, "Manolo Blahniks at Goodwill? You bet," apparently designer shoes such as Manolo Blahnik and Jimmy Choo were spotted at the Seattle Goodwill store, which features an annual Glitter sale, with proceeds going to charity.
Author Jeff Yeager, in his article, "My 6 Best Thrift Store Finds," on The Daily Green website, proudly displays some of his amazing scores. He found a Jack Perlmutter painting for $7, which later appraised for about $1200.00!
Other treasures await those willing to look beyond the "second-hand-is-junk" mantra.
Myth #2: Secondhand Shopping is Icky.
Many folks who have never stepped into a thrift store may already harbor preconceived notions of what the experience might provide. Many common reasons for not shopping in these venues revolve around the idea that therein lurk crud of ages and moths simply waiting to attack potential shoppers. They fear that walking into a thrift shop immediately renders them as dirtied and even perhaps lurking on the "nice" edges of society.
Yet for the most part, thrift stores are remarkably clean, well-stocked and organized, with actual functioning washrooms and carefully supervised dressing rooms. The parking lots are well-lit and more often than not late-model cars will be spotted parked alongside the stereotypical beaters driven by the less well-to-do. You can usually count on some pleasant music playing overhead and well-lit aisles and orderly racks of clothes and miles of bookshelves, usually even categorized.
Myth #3: Buying Stuff Secondhand Means You are Poor.
Thrift shops aren't simply for the down-and-out anymore. In this economy, everybody could use a break when it comes to the family budget. Walking into a thrift shop or visiting a rummage sale does not immediately render somebody a loser. Rather it means that person cares about things like recycling, charity, thrift, and the intrinsic value of things. Paying for an overpriced item in a big box store nowadays simply doesn't make economic sense. Why pay hundreds for designer jeans that your tween will outgrow in six months when, as mentioned on the WikiHow website, in the article entitled "How to Shop Well for Clothes in a Thrift Store," simply following a few simple steps may lead to finding some real fashion bargains.
Buying from a thrift store may also make you richer.
According to author Carlfromtexa in the CNN iReport, "My Thrift Store Find Paid for Remodeling," a simple purchase of a pair of $2.50 Levis led to an online auction scoring in the hundreds! Way to go!
Dispelling these and numerous other myths surrounding shopping second hand may open some doors financially and help even the most dyed-in-the-wool retail shopper rethink their purchasing venues.
It's time to stop believing the rumors and start saving!
Join the Conversation