5 Thrift Store Hacks That Are Genius Cyber Monday Alternatives
Written by
Laura Beck
Edited by
Molly Sullivan
Commitment to Our Readers
GOBankingRates' editorial team is committed to bringing you unbiased reviews and information. We use data-driven methodologies to evaluate financial products and services - our reviews and ratings are not influenced by advertisers. You can read more about our editorial guidelines and our products and services review methodology.
20 Years
Helping You Live Richer
Reviewed
by Experts
Trusted by
Millions of Readers
Cyber Monday bombards you with “deals” that aren’t really deals. Thrift stores offer actual savings year-round if you know what to look for.
These five hacks turn thrift shopping into a better alternative than waiting for online sales.
1. Shop the First Week of January
Everyone dumps their holiday decluttering donations in early January. Thrift stores overflow with good stuff from people who got new things for Christmas and need space.
You’re shopping the same timing as post-holiday clearance sales but paying thrift store prices instead of marked-down retail. A sweater that was $60 on Cyber Monday and $30 on clearance costs $6 at Goodwill in January.
Arrive early on donation drop-off days (usually weekdays) to catch newly shelved items before other shoppers grab them.
2. Focus On High-Quality Basics, Skip Trendy Stuff
Thrift stores are goldmines for basics that last forever. White button-downs, black pants, denim jackets, leather belts and classic coats wear the same at 10 years old as they did new.
Trendy items age badly. That 2019 geometric print dress looks dated now. A plain black dress works forever.
Check labels for materials. 100% cotton, wool, linen and leather outlast polyester blends. These fabrics cost more new, making thrift prices especially good deals.
Brand names matter for quality items like shoes, coats and bags where construction affects longevity. A $15 Cole Haan leather bag beats a $40 Target purse that falls apart in six months.
3. Learn the Color Tag System
Most thrift chains rotate discounts by color tag. This week green tags are 50% off, next week it’s blue tags. The colors rotate on schedules you can learn.
Ask staff which color goes on sale next. Then shop that color today at full price (still cheap) knowing it hits 50% off soon. Come back on discount day if the item is still there.
Some stores let you hold items until sale day. It’s worth asking about.
This beats Cyber Monday “doorbuster” tactics where you fight crowds for limited inventory. Thrift store color sales apply to everything with that tag, not just three loss-leader items.
4. Check Housewares for Kitchen Upgrades
Thrift stores overflow with kitchen stuff people got as wedding gifts and never used. Think, Le Creuset Dutch ovens, KitchenAid mixers and quality knife sets. They’re all sitting unused in someone’s cabinet until they donated it.
These items retail for $200 to $400 new and rarely go below 30% off even on Cyber Monday. Thrift stores can price them much lower because they don’t specialize in kitchenware and just want inventory moving.
Inspect carefully for chips, cracks or missing parts.
5. Go To Thrift Stores in Wealthy Neighborhoods
Location matters dramatically for thrift store quality. Stores in expensive ZIP codes often get donations from people who bought expensive stuff.
A Goodwill in Beverly Hills, California, or the Upper East Side of New York might receive designer clothes, premium electronics and high-end furniture.
The pricing is often identical across locations within the same chain. You’re paying the same $8 for a shirt whether it’s Target or Brooks Brothers — the wealthy neighborhood store just has more Brooks Brothers.
This applies to furniture especially. Wealthy people might donate barely used West Elm couches and Pottery Barn tables when redecorating.
Drive the extra 20 minutes to shop rich-area thrift stores. The upgrade in donation quality is massive.
More From GOBankingRates
