Local Thrift Stores Can Be A Shopper’s Mecca

June 21, 2010 - PRLog -- TOP BUYING TIPS TO MAKE THE MOST OF A THRIFT STORE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE

Local thrift stores can be the source of some real bargains – both new and gently used – as long as customers undertake their shopping trip armed with several handy tips. According to Darrin Weiss, chief operating officer for Grace Centers of Hope, which operates four thrift stores in the Detroit metropolitan area, being knowledgeable and well prepared can help customers find just what they are looking for and at a price that meets their budgets.

Weiss says that most of these types of stores carry brand new merchandise as well as used, mixed in with the rest of the stock. Some still bear the original price tags.

“Thrift stores appeal to a wide range of customers and offer merchandise at very affordable prices,” explains Weiss. “Shoppers who approach their buying trips focused and expecting to find quality items will be successful. Several thrift stores are operated by charitable organizations, which shoppers help to support financially when they buy merchandise.”

Grace Centers of Hope, one of southeast Michigan’s largest homeless shelters, operates its thrift stores as a major revenue source to help fund its homeless shelter and other services.

Weiss suggests shoppers keep these tips in mind:

1.   Some stores have special pricing signs.  At the Grace Centers of Hope Thrift Stores, there is an everyday, 50-percent-off policy with 75-percent-off on some items.

2.   Customers wanting to buy clothing should check for stores that sort items by size on racks, which is much more convenient than those which do it by color – unless they are seeking a specific color item.

3.   Efficient thrift stores regularly rotate their clothing stock throughout the month and change their inventory often. A savvy customer who doesn’t find a particular item is advised to return in a week.

4.   Customers should seek out thrift stores that not only keep their clothing racks up–to-date by size and/or color based on the stores’ rotation schedule, but which also require their staff to check those racks hourly for items that customers have put back in the wrong place.

5.   Thrift stores that have dressing rooms improve the shopping experience. Their customers can try on items before paying for them, just as they would at other department stores. Because something is inexpensive doesn’t mean it won’t look great on.

6.   Typically, more donations come in during May, June and July, as well as October, November and December. That is when customers can expect to have a wider selection of merchandise to choose from.

Shannyn Caldwell, an experienced thrift store shopper living in the Detroit metropolitan area, who also hosts “The Morning Light” show on WMUZ 103.5 FM, supplies a few more tips:

1.   Shoppers should have a clear idea of what they are searching for. Thrift stores are like mini-department stores and it's easy for customers to get distracted, ending up buying something completely different than the original objective.

2.   Items should be thoroughly inspected several times by the prospective customer, looking for any spots, holes and snags. It's better to find this out before it is purchased.  

3.   Several thrift stores offer half-off and other coupons that are available online or in booklet-type circulars delivered to homes.

Grace Centers of Hope’s Weiss adds, “Thrift stores are not just for customers whose budgets are tight. Because of the variety and quality of the merchandise and the opportunity to discover valuable bargains, a visit to a thrift store can be an extremely rewarding experience.”

About Grace Centers of Hope:
Giving hope to the helpless since 1942, Grace Centers of Hope is one of southeast Michigan’s oldest and largest service provider for the homeless. Today, Grace Centers of Hope is considered one of the leading faith-based organizations in Southeastern Michigan, confronting issues of homelessness, addiction, poverty, abuse and spiritual emptiness on a daily basis. On any given night, Grace Centers of Hope provides transitional and emergency shelter to 150-200 men, women and children, in addition to serving more than 127,000 meals each year. Grace's $4.4 million yearly budget is maintained solely through corporate and private donors.  It does not accept any government assistance.

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About Grace Centers of Hope
Giving hope to the helpless since 1942, Grace Centers of Hope is one of southeast Michigan’s oldest and largest service provider for the homeless. Today, Grace Centers of Hope is considered one of the leading faith-based organizations in Southeastern Michigan, confronting issues of homelessness, addiction, poverty, abuse and spiritual emptiness on a daily basis. On any given night, Grace Centers of Hope provides transitional and emergency shelter to 150-200 men, women and children, in addition to serving more than 127,000 meals each year. Grace's $4.4 million yearly budget is maintained solely through corporate and private donors. It does not accept any government assistance.