by Liz Sinclair

Created on: September 11, 2009   Last Updated: September 15, 2009

The obvious reason for a shopper to frequent thrift stores is to save money. Thrift stores are full of donated clothing, shoes, accessories, household goods and furniture - generally used - all selling for a partial cost of what these items would cost new. Savvy buyers can stock a wardrobe and furnish an apartment or house with a small budget and a good dose of patience and flexibility. Thrift store shopping is also good for the environment, as the goods in them won't end up in landfills.

The Encarta World English Dictionary defines the word, thrift, as 'the sensible and cautious management of money and goods in order to waste as little as possible and obtain maximum value.'

Thrift stores re-sell donated goods, usually to benefit a charity, such as the Salvation Army or the Brotherhood of St Lawrence, and support their social programs. Volunteers often staff such shops so the only overheads are rent and utilities.

All used clothing at thrift stores is pre-cleaned because of health regulations. It is not unusual to find new clothes, with store tags still attached. A common sight in thrift stores is new infant and toddler clothes, perhaps given as gifts, which have never been worn.

Thrift stores may also provide a place for merchants to donate new goods, and claim a tax write-off. Often, a thrift store may have a standing arrangement to accept clothes, shoes and household goods from clearance centers and outlet stores. The benefit to the shopper is to get a new item at a fraction of the original price.

Although charities will accept all donated items that are in reasonable condition, many thrift shops make an effort to keep stock on the sales floor seasonal, that is, to stock warmer clothes in winter and lighter clothes in summer. Usually, shoppers have no limit to the number of items they can take into dressing rooms, unlike regular clothing stores.

There are other, less obvious reasons why it is good to support a local thrift store. The store is a vital member of the community, and its volunteers are usually people who live there. For these volunteers, who are often elderly or retired, the store provides a wider social network. Salvation Army thrift shops provide part-time jobs for recovering addicts or alcoholics to help them get back on their feet financially, and improve their people and work skills. These people may also attend support groups or live in housing provided by the Salvation Army, services provided by funds raised through thrift store sales.

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