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StumbleuponEconomy down, thrift store shopping up
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Laura Kidd found a $10 Halloween costume for her son at the Goodwill store in the Oregon District.
Her friend, Emily Donaldson, emerged from the store with a pair of pants and shirt for her son's school uniform. The price tag: 99 cents each.
"I wouldn't know what to do without thrift stores with today's economy the way it is," said Donaldson, 35, of Dayton, who has five children.
The economic slowdown is giving area thrift stores a bump in sales as customers hunt for secondhand bargains. Sales are up an average of 8 percent across Goodwill's stores compared to last year, while business at the Englewood store alone has shot up 30 percent, said Mari Jo Sellers, a spokeswoman for Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley.
The Salvation Army's Capt. Robert Morrison began seeing a "noticeable uptick" at its Family Thrift Stores in Dayton, Centerville, Middletown and Piqua recently as people have become "really conscious of what's going out of their wallets."
At St. Vincent DePaul's thrift store, manager, Krys Ailshire-Davidson, said customers who may not have considered thrift stores a year ago, are now "finding it enticing or necessary."
For-profit resale shops like Plato's Closet, are attracting customers, lured by the chance to sell used clothing, baby toys and sports equipment. Sales at Plato's Closet are up 15 percent so far this year, said Steve Murphy, president of franchising for the Minneapolis-based Winmark Corp., which operates the chain.
"People just have less disposable income, especially teenagers," Murphy said.
While business is up at thrift stores, donations are down at some. Ailshire-Davidson has seen fewer home pickups for donated items, especially furniture. She thinks people aren't buying new big-ticket items and are holding onto what they have.
The Salvation Army's truck pickup service (1-800-SA TRUCK) had been primarily used for big bulk items, but Morrison said that's changed.
"These days," he said, "a couple of bags of clothes will get us out there."
Comments
By Kris
October 9, 2008 6:22 PM | Link to this
First of all Sherry, it is MRSA. And secondly, as a nurse, I can assure you that had they taken the clothing home and washed it, it would have been safe. Please don’t do the thrift store an injustice by posting things that aren’t correct. Maybe not many people know that the items donated are not washed. Now you know!!! I can’t say anything about the furniture, as I don’t know but as far as the clothes go…it is perfectly safe
By It's Me
October 9, 2008 4:18 PM | Link to this
I just started shopping at the thrift store. Should have done it sooner. No boxers though.
By chris
October 9, 2008 2:48 PM | Link to this
Thrifty at the Grocery??? For all those unaware,,,Aldi rocks!! I make over 90K a year and love to get the good everyday deals at Aldi. The quality is great and the concept is quite unique. Check their website, they are the largest retailer on the planet!! I shop there first for the items they carry, run to Big Lots for some additional snaks etc, then go shop “for real” at Meijer or Kroger. All in all saving some bucks for more gas to drive to all those places :)
By Julie
October 9, 2008 2:22 PM | Link to this
Thrift stores, flea markets, yard sales….shop at all of them. Recently found a brand new fondue set that my daughter has been wanting at a flea market for $3. When people start cleaning out closets and garages, they come across things they received as gifts and never used.
By Poor Person
October 9, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this
Has anyone noticed the how greedy the thrift stores are getting now? I mean do they forget that poor people are typically the ones who shop there? Or are they becoming aware of the upper class people who “browse” and can afford to pay $6.00 for a pair of used shoes. I mean I know it’s better than the store, but back in the day the thrift store was there for people who were poor. I am a poor person, I have 2 kids and take care of my mother, I can’t afford to even look at the mall. Thrift stores
By bargaingirl
October 9, 2008 12:51 PM | Link to this
I do, and I surely do not see anything wrong with it. I have a rapidly growing 11 year old, and if I can go and buy a pair of Aeropostale jeans and an Aero shirt for $3.00, then why not? I only buy things in like new condition that do not appear to be worn many times and noone can tell the difference. Our society has gotten so caught up with who is better and what are you wearing that maybe some people will get back to reality now that they have to. Although, I too, stay away from undergarments.
By Hugh Jass
October 9, 2008 12:42 PM | Link to this
I buy used under clothing from the stores. I like knowing that someones dirty skin and lice-infested body hair has touched the clothes.
By Sherry Miller
October 9, 2008 12:26 PM | Link to this
I don’t. With a MERSA scare that happend because of t-shirts from a thrift store I stopped buying there. I only did that one time. You also need to be REAL careful buying furniture there because I’ve heard stories where people brought things home and vermon or cocroache where in them. Save some money in the short run and loose big in the big run.
By Judy
October 9, 2008 11:26 AM | Link to this
Yes, I have been shopping at Thrift Stores for years; especially the one on Linden Avenue. There are not just “old” clothes, but some department stores donate their clothing to thrift stores. Plus, I have found really good furniture at thrift stores. Inspect the items thoroughly before you buy, wash them thoroughly. Those people who are losing money because of AIG, etc. WELCOME TO MY WORLD!
By Roger
October 9, 2008 9:34 AM | Link to this
Yes.
By Cinti
October 9, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
I seldom shop at thrift stores; however, I have started buying clothes at Wal-Mart & Target, as opposed to department stores. So, I do save money. My boss does 90% of his shopping at thrift stores, & he always looks good. He finds a lot of good clothes, whereas the few times I’ve shopped there, I find very few. It’s hit or miss; I think if I went more often, I probably would find clothes there that I liked. The secret to good deals at department stores is to shop during inventory in January/February & July; I have often gotten 75% or more off during those times.
By NiftyThrify
October 9, 2008 9:11 AM | Link to this
Been thrifting since I was a teenager. And I’m one of those darn Xers. And I live in Oakwood.
Just bought three bags of clothing for my family for $36. Woot! Score!
I draw the line at undies, though.
By QueenThrifter
October 9, 2008 9:00 AM | Link to this
I can get an entire weeks worth of like-new, name brand clothes for what my friends pay for one pair of jeans. You bet I shop at the thrift stores, even when I’m not hurting for money!
By Thrifter
October 9, 2008 8:58 AM | Link to this
I’ve been doing thrift store shopping for years. We have a family of 5 and can’t afford to pay big bucks for brand new wardrobes. You wouldn’t believe the brand names you can get or clothes that still have tags on them. I see people pulling up in their cadillacs to shop at these stores. No shame in the thrift store game!
By Ihaveacoupon 4 that
October 9, 2008 8:37 AM | Link to this
Hey East Dayton : you are not white trash ! I do not live but I have worked in Oakwood for 25 years. And most residents here are cheaper than any of us ! Most Oakwood families barely get into a home here for the schools and then they can’t afford to keep them up. I have just started exploring thrift stores recently because some friends and relatives have gotten some great bargains but I know that you have to have the time to really look and come back often to find thr right stuff,right size, etc
By X'er
October 9, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this
Faith, At least you admit you created these X’ers. Barney Frank won’t take any responsibility for lowering the leading standards and creating the mortgage crisis. Save America - vote against a liberal. Oh BTW, DDN how about some in depth reporting on anything. Who cares about the car wreck and the fire or the cat up the tree. Did any of you go to journalism classes?
By Meg
October 9, 2008 8:12 AM | Link to this
I losta lot of weight so I started visiting them while I was on a diet. I got hooked and now I buy most of my clothes at thrift stores.
By faith supporter
October 9, 2008 8:04 AM | Link to this
Hey Xers - Listen to faith. Many of you are going to have to “suffer” through this just like the rest of us. That may mean not getting the new Coach bag, or going out to eat every meal. You may have to make choices such as rent or food in the refrigerator versus designer clothing…
By faith
October 9, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this
ALways have, it has always been beneath so many, of the X’ers we have created. Funny how they may have to learn some basics. EXCEPT the rich get richer and the middleclass are equal to poor. TWO LEVELS IN AMERICA
By East Dayton
October 9, 2008 7:39 AM | Link to this
Sure I do, I am a white piece of trash.
By Thrify1
October 9, 2008 7:07 AM | Link to this
sure do, they are a great value. I have found some great deals and keep myself in vry nice clothes for next to nothing.