That time I met a stranger at a bus stop who changed how I think about thrift shopping

I was waiting for the 22 bus on Foster Avenue last month and this older lady started chatting with me about my jacket. She told me she finds all her best clothes at a church rummage sale on Belmont that only happens every 3 months. I was skeptical because I usually just go to Goodwill but I went to the next one and scored a vintage wool coat for $8. Now I check their calendar religiously and have saved over $200 on clothes this year. Has anyone else found a hidden gem like that where you least expect it?

3 comments

3 Comments

fiona_murphy4d ago

Used to think thrift stores all had the same stuff and church sales were just old ladies selling junk. Glad I was wrong about that. My neighbor dragged me to a VFW hall sale last fall and I walked out with a cast iron skillet for five bucks. Changed my whole view on where to look now. That bus stop lady did you a solid, honestly.

patriciah514d ago

Oh honey, I gotta disagree - Goodwill's hidden treasures are way more consistent if you know which locations to hit.

williams.jenny5d ago

Funny you mention that church sale. I've had the same luck with hospice thrift stores. They're small and nobody thinks to check them, but the prices are way better than Goodwill. Found a pair of barely worn Red Wing boots for $15 at one last spring. Also try estate sales on the last day. By then most people have come and gone and they'll practically give stuff away. You just have to be willing to dig through a lot of junk to find the good pieces.