Thrift Store Steals by Kimberly Danger

Love bargain shopping?  Get a kick out of finding the ultimate deal?  Well, there are ways that you can actually make money shopping at thrift stores.  You can save big for your family, as well as earning a little pocket cash.  How?  Here are some ideas:

Restoration     Buy old furniture, frames, or household goods and add your own special flair.  Give that old chair a new coat of paint, or decorate a frame and what's old is new again.  Your costs are minimized, and you have created a one-of-a-kind work of art! Now you are free to market your items at craft sales, consignment shops, or even on online auction houses such as e-bay.

Consignment    You would be surprised how many people keep their clothing for one season, then discard it for a new wardrobe. Thrifty moms know that these items are still completely wearable, and most of the time still in style!  Look for this type of merchandise at thrift stores!  Take it home, launder it, press it, and consign it with your local clothing consignment shops.  Most consignment shops will give you half of the selling price.  This means the shirt you picked up for $2 at the thrift store could sell at a consignment store for $16 or more, giving you a clear $6 profit. Not bad.  Be sure to look for all types of items, not just the ones in your size.  

Nationwide Consignment  Stores  Once Upon a Child is a Nationwide retailer specializing in children's apparel, furniture, and toys.  They pay you cash on the spot for your items, so you don't have to wait for them to sell to profit.  Try Play it Again Sports if you have quality used sporting goods that are in workable, solid condition.  They'll buy them from you for cash. 

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Online Thrift Stores   Whether you're in the market to sell your goods online, or take advantage of some great prices, online thrift stores are a fun way to go.  Resaleguide.com features a consignment mall with online auctions and catalogs from consignment, resale and thrift stores.  This site also has a Virtual Tour of Consignment Stores, the easiest way to locate a consignment store online and it's free to join!  An online auction and catalog storefront can be found on theclothestree.com.  Buffaloexchange.com offers trendy, brand-name items at great savings.  Pieceunique.com offers a classified section of new and pre-owned luxury designer garments and accessories offered by some of the best resale boutiques in the world.  Secondhand.com is a great link to thousands of resale businesses.  From antique stores to thrift shops, consignment to flea markets, find all types of secondhand, surplus and salvage businesses around the country ... even around the world.