Southern Living: 5 Things You Should Never Buy At A Thrift Store
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While shopping at the thrift store, you may stumble upon some items that you have zero intention of buying and others that feel like the find of the century and land in your cart immediately. However, most times you visit a secondhand shop, you'll likely come across pieces that fit into the "maybe" category—they seem like they could be worth taking home, but you're not entirely sure if they're worthwhile.
Many types of pieces, expert thrifters say, simply aren't good buys, no matter the price. Below are five kinds of items that these individuals always leave behind.
Project Pieces
Not everyone is actually going to make use of project pieces—it's important to know yourself and be realistic while shopping in terms of what you actually intend to fix up down the line.
"Unless you’re a competent DIYer who's handy with tools and has completed several projects before I’d steer clear of pieces in need of repair," says Ellie Christopher, the founder of Ellie Christopher Interior Design in Birmingham, Alabama. "Just because it’s a good deal doesn’t mean it won’t take many hours to complete, add stress, and eventually clutter your house."
Overpriced Pieces
Thrift shopping is all about saving money, so anything that isn't priced fairly isn't going to be the best buy. "Sometimes thrift stores price items based on inflated online listings or incorrectly label things as antiques," explains Hailey Covington, the Seabrook, Texas-based founder of Gulf Coast Grandmillennial.
She recommends taking a minute to do some reconnaissance before heading to the cash register.
"It’s crucial to research the value of an item before buying and ensure that the quality justifies the price tag," Covington says. "Falsely labeled goods can be especially disappointing when you discover they're not as valuable as advertised."
Upholstered Furniture
Reupholstery projects are no small undertaking; even if you hire a pro to help with the labor, that will cost you a pretty penny. For this reason, Audra Samnotra is a proponent of leaving upholstered pieces that are in need of some TLC behind at the thrift store if you're truly looking to save your cash.
"Reupholstering furniture is absolutely a craft for a professional—this is not a DIY kind of project," says the owner of Social Swan Decor in Tampa, Florida. "It would require an investment to transform what you find. Unless you come across a must have item, skip it if a bargain is truly what you're after."
Pieces That Have A Smell
While it is indeed possible to remove smells from thrifted items, there's no foolproof cleaning solution that is guaranteed to work every time.
"If it left wherever it came from and still smells funny, a sun bath and Febreze isn't going to cut it," Samnotra says. "You would need more elaborate (read: expensive) solutions. One musty piece can linger.
Items You Don't Love
We've all made the mistake of buying something solely because it's an incredible deal and then never actually using it. It's time to break this pattern the next time you head to the thrift store.
"If an item doesn’t spark joy or fit well in your home, it’s better to leave it behind," Covington says. "Filling your space with things you don’t like can lead to clutter, and they may never end up being used or appreciated. Trust your instincts and choose items that you absolutely love and can envision using or displaying with pride."
