6 Thrifting Tips All Beginners Should Know, According to Pros

If you’ve always been curious about secondhand shopping and are wondering how to make the most of your first trip to the thrift store, keep reading.

Here, thrifting experts weigh in with six of their top tips for thrifting like a pro, no matter where you live or what you’re looking for item-wise. These insights are guaranteed to set you up for success.

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“I always start my thrifting journey before I even leave the house,” Virginia Chamlee, the author of Big Thrift Energy, says.

She likes to spend some time viewing her favorite high-end resale sites, as well as Pinterest and Instagram, to familiarize herself with specific types of pieces as well as how they can be styled. Saving images allows Chamlee to visualize what items might look like in a space that’s not the thrift store.

For example, if she sees a brown velvet couch, she can recall an image that may have a similar item to get a better idea of how it can be styled with other decor styles and accents.

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Bring a Large Bag or Two

If you’re going to be thrifting at an outdoor flea market, you will want to be sure to bring a large tote bag or even a folding wagon with you, Chrissy Hunter, the founder of Harlowe James, says.

“It makes transporting things back to the car a million times easier,” she says.

Bringing your own bags to an indoor thrift store can prove helpful, too. Kaitlyn McAlpine, the founder of Brown Paper Thrift, explains how many stores have gone bagless or have bags to purchase so it’s easier to have a few reusable ones ready to be used.

“It can be helpful to also keep an old newspaper in the bags to use to wrap up breakable items to ensure your finds get home safely,” McAlpine says.

Ask About Discounts

Even at the thrift store, you don’t always have to pay full price. Whitney Conard, the founder of Thrifty Whitney, explains how her local stores often offer coupons when you donate items.

“I always keep a bag around the house for donations so I can save even more at the thrift store,” Conard says.

Brown agrees and says how many thrift stores offer discounts on various types of items during the week or on items that are tagged with a certain color, so it’s worth checking out.

Repeat Your Steps

If time allows, it’s always worth making a few laps around the thrift store or flea market. Laurel Harry, the founder of The House That DIY Built, recommends making sure to go down every aisle of the store more than once.

“I can’t tell you how many times there has been a true treasure hidden on a shelf that I didn’t notice on my first trip or sometimes even my second trip down an aisle,” Harry says.

In general, aim to go thrifting when you’re not in a hurry to make the best decisions possible. Chelsey Brown, the founder of City Chic Decor, suggests giving yourself plenty of time to scour through the shelves and racks.

“If you’re rushed, you’ll end up purchasing something just to solve your immediate need instead of finding the perfect match,” Brown says.

Do make a habit of visiting the same thrift store on a regular basis. McAlpine explains how she will often go to the same store on different days and will either end up leaving with a big haul or a completely empty cart.

Do a Quick “Cart Edit”

McAlpine likes to do what she calls a “cart edit” prior to checking out at the thrift store.

“I ask myself if all the items in my cart feel cohesive and true to my style,” McAlpine says. “Doing a quick cart edit ensures you are purchasing items that you are truly going to love.”

Use this time to inspect everything you plan to buy one more time before bringing it up to the register. Since most thrift stores don’t have a return policy, it’s important to double-check your items for any chips or scratches before purchasing them, McAlpine says.

Brown suggests considering what she calls the “one dollar rule” before committing to an item.

“It’s easy to buy everything you like due to the low prices, but the goal is to fill your home with items you’ll love and cherish,” she says. “If you’re unsure about a $15 item, ask yourself, ‘Will I use this at least fifteen times?’ If yes, go for it. If no or unsure, pass and move on.'”

That said, if you really are on the fence about an item, Brown advises purchasing it rather than leaving it behind. When it comes to unique items, Brown often buys them knowing she can potentially resell them to avoid living with regret.

Keep an Open Mind

You truly never know what you might come across when you set foot inside a thrift store. For example, if you’re looking for a coffee table and come across a vintage trunk, it can be transformed to fit your needs, Chamlee says.

“Rather than limiting yourself to a list of must-have items, keep an open mind,” Chamlee recommends.