How to shop for expensive brand name CLOTHES at Thrift Stores and Consignment shops

If your looking for great name brand clothes and accessories but don't want to pay those ridiculous retail prices, visit your local thrift shops and consignment stores. Wealthy people are ALWAYS getting rid of their lightly used items. You will learn how to get a list of stores near you, get good daily traveling tips, and tips on what to look for and what to stay away from.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. You need to know where the stores are first. Get a listing from Google (search: thrift stores or consignment shops) in your state or county. For example: I search Thrift Shops in New Jersey and a website with hundreds of listings came up and they were in order of town.

2. Plan your route. Look at the list and choose at least 5 - 10 stores that seem to be somewhat near your home. A person can visit more or less, but this depends on different factors. If you are unfamiliar with the location of some towns, mapquest them. Route out which stores you will start with and which stores you will end with. Try to form your route in a circular pattern to save gas and use your time effectively. I highly recommend you have a GPS for your venture.

3. Pre-planning. Choose a Day (Saturdays work best), find a babysitter for your kids, find a partner to spend the day with, and make a list of ideas of things/brands you may be looking for (cashmere sweater, Oshkosh for the kids, coach purse, Tommy Hilfiger, Sean John, Men's Sportscoat, women's business pants, kids jackets, etc. This is your treasure hunt, psych yourself to scavenge for these items

4. The BIG day but before you begin driving. Take some cold drinks and snacks for the ride. Make sure your route mapped out on paper, the addresses of the stores, and the you have your GPS in your car.

5. Understanding Stores by Location. Real Examples: A store called Second Glance in suburban Hawthorne, NJ would be considered a high end consignment shop. Very wealthy people who frequently spend THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS on clothing and accessories drop off barely used (sometimes new with tags) to this store just to get rid of it. Shirley (the owner) sells them at almost nothing to her customers. You may not have to look hard to find the "Diamonds and Jewels" of clothing in these types of stores. On the other hand, many stores are in urban poorer areas and will require more scavenging to find what you are looking for.

6. This can be very exciting and you may not want to stop but if you start to become overwhelmed, go home. There will always be more clothes and more stores to hunt at. Happy Hunting!