How are thrift store prices now?

[Joan.of.the.Arch]

It's been a while since I've visited a thrift store. I think I heard prices had gone up noticeably in the last two or three years. What have you seen?

[james.hendrickson]

I go to the goodwill outlet here in Portland, Oregon.

They sell used stuff by the pound - like $1 or $2 per pound for clothing. I bought a bike for my daughter for $4. So, I'm not seeing a huge rise in prices.

Thanks,

James

[myrdale]

I've never heard of buying cloths by the pound. Here they tag them by some color scheme, $2 for blue, $5 for yellow. Its been a long while since I have priced anything though.

[disneysteve]

Thrift store prices have been rising significantly. This is a very common topic in my reseller groups. Things that used to be $.99 or $1.99 are now $3.99 and $5.99 and more. Many thrift shops have started pulling the better items and listing them online either on eBay or their own auction site so you can’t find those things in the stores anymore. Either that or they’re pricing them in the stores with eBay prices.

The thrift shop outlet stores like the one James mentioned, often called “the bins” get all the stuff the regular stores couldn’t sell. Even those have raised prices. They used to be $.99/lb but I think they’re up to $2.99/lb here though I haven’t visited recently.

it has definitely hurt resellers but it hurts regular customers too. When a used shirt is $6.99 it’s no longer a bargain. You can get a brand new one at Target or Walmart for the same price.

[mattbram]

I've spotted a few things in charity shops recently which cost more than buying them online. I think a big rise in resellers are making this type of store drastically raise its prices to meet demand.

It is sad to see as I know a lot of low income people are now having to turn to things like clothes banks as even charity shops are too expensive.

[disneysteve]

I've spotted a few things in charity shops recently which cost more than buying them online. I think a big rise in resellers are making this type of store drastically raise its prices to meet demand.

It is sad to see as I know a lot of low income people are now having to turn to things like clothes banks as even charity shops are too expensive.

I don't buy the argument that thrift shops are raising their prices because of resellers. People have been reselling thrift store items for many years. Maybe it's more popular today but that still doesn't explain higher prices because for the store, it's actually counterproductive. I'm in several reselling groups and higher thrift store prices are a common topic. Many resellers are buying far less than they used to at those stores, or have stopped shopping there entirely, because of the prices. I myself hardly ever buy anything at a thrift shop for resale anymore. I used to do it more but the higher prices have made it no longer feasible. I can't pay $4.99 for something that will only sell for $10-12. It worked when that same item was $1.49.

Thrift stores raising prices is cutting out the resellers, but as you said, it's also cutting out the lower income people (and everyone else) looking for bargains. When Goodwill has Dollar Tree items on the shelf for $2.99, nobody is going to buy them. I understand that thrift stores want to make as much as they can to support whatever their mission is, but they need to remember that they are supposed to be THRIFT stores. They aren't going to stay in business if they keep charging ebay prices for things.

[Bozzdivine]

I've also noticed a bit of an uptick in thrift store prices. It's not universal, but it does seem to be a trend in many places. I think it's a result of multiple factors, including higher costs of operation and an increased popularity in thrifting. Here's a cool article from WSJ about thrift stores becoming less thrifty - it's a good read.

The influence of resellers and online platforms may also be driving up the prices, as items that once flew under the radar are now being scooped up and sold for more online. It's a bit of a bummer for those of us who love a good bargain, but I suppose it's a sign of the times. Still worth checking out your local shops, though. You never know when you might stumble upon a great find!

[kork13]

Still worth checking out your local shops, though. You never know when you might stumble upon a great find!

This is generally my view, not being a reseller -- prices are up, but especially for kids clothes/shoes, I'd still rather pay $3-$8 per lightly used item than $20+per brand new item.

[mattbram]

I don't buy the argument that thrift shops are raising their prices because of resellers. People have been reselling thrift store items for many years. Maybe it's more popular today but that still doesn't explain higher prices because for the store, it's actually counterproductive. I'm in several reselling groups and higher thrift store prices are a common topic. Many resellers are buying far less than they used to at those stores, or have stopped shopping there entirely, because of the prices. I myself hardly ever buy anything at a thrift shop for resale anymore. I used to do it more but the higher prices have made it no longer feasible. I can't pay $4.99 for something that will only sell for $10-12. It worked when that same item was $1.49.

Thrift stores raising prices is cutting out the resellers, but as you said, it's also cutting out the lower income people (and everyone else) looking for bargains. When Goodwill has Dollar Tree items on the shelf for $2.99, nobody is going to buy them. I understand that thrift stores want to make as much as they can to support whatever their mission is, but they need to remember that they are supposed to be THRIFT stores. They aren't going to stay in business if they keep charging ebay prices for things.

Very good points. This is the worrying thing really.

I think another way to look at it is that stores are selling more and more at such low prices that thrift stores just don't seem as good a deal any more.

Honestly, it scares me how cheap you can buy a pair of jeans or a t-shirt for in stores like Primark (in the UK). Like how on earth do they make a profit and what dubious methods of production are they using to make it that cheap?

I like the saying 'everything costs something'. Selling things that cheap has to have an environmental and ethical cost to them that we don't see on the price tag.

[JoeP]

This is generally my view, not being a reseller -- prices are up, but especially for kids clothes/shoes, I'd still rather pay $3-$8 per lightly used item than $20+per brand new item.

Agreed. If all prices go up 20%, that's ok with me, because the thrift store items will still be a better option for me. My visits to retail stores have decreased significantly in the past 4 years.

I was able to find 5 short sleeve golf shirts and a few pants for somewhere around $65. Some good name brands like Under Armor, Chaps, Nike, etc. Just check for damage and give them a good washing with extra rinse.

[BobbySands]

I was at Goodwill and the price of Name Brand donated blue jeans is different than regular pants. Inflation in a thrift store. Good lord. Other items about the same price. Cost of fuel too deliver stuff is passed on too us.

[disneysteve]

I was at Goodwill and the price of Name Brand donated blue jeans is different than regular pants. Inflation in a thrift store. Good lord. Other items about the same price. Cost of fuel too deliver stuff is passed on too us.

Inflation makes sense to some degree. Their overhead is higher. Wages are higher. Gas is higher. But there's a difference between raising a price from $1.99 to $2.49 and raising it to $24.99 because you saw one like it sell for that on ebay.