Thrift Store Guide | ResellMode

Best Times to Thrift

Days of the Week

Monday/Tuesday: Weekend donations processed and stocked
Wednesday: Often a restock day at many chains
Saturday AM: Fresh items but more competition
Sunday: Color tag sales at Goodwill (50% off certain tags)

Best Times of Year

January: Post-holiday decluttering = massive donations
Spring: Spring cleaning brings quality donations
May-June: Estate cleanouts, moving season
Back to school: Parents clean out kids' stuff
Post-holidays: People donate to make room for gifts

💡 Pro Tip: Ask employees when they restock. Build relationships. Some will hold items or tip you off to incoming donations.

Types of Thrift Stores

Store Type	Pros	Cons
Goodwill	Consistent, color tag sales, many locations	Prices rising, picked over in cities
Salvation Army	Often cheaper, less picked	Fewer locations, less organized
Local/Church Thrifts	Cheaper prices, hidden gems, less competition	Limited hours, smaller selection
Habitat ReStore	Tools, furniture, building materials	No clothing, specialized inventory
Goodwill Bins/Outlets	Pay by pound = lowest prices	Chaotic, dirty, competitive
Consignment Stores	Pre-curated, higher quality	Higher prices, smaller margins

What to Look For

Clothing

Check labels - designer brands mixed in with basics
Feel fabrics - quality materials (cashmere, silk, wool)
Look for vintage indicators (single stitch, union tags)
Men's section often less picked than women's

Hard Goods

Electronics section for vintage/valuable items
Pyrex, CorningWare, vintage glassware
Cast iron (Lodge, Griswold, Wagner)
Tools - Snap-on, Craftsman, Milwaukee
Sports equipment - golf clubs, skis, weights

Books & Media

Textbooks (check edition dates)
Non-fiction niches: medical, technical, art
Video games, especially retro
Vinyl records in good condition

Tools for Thrifting

eBay app: Scan barcodes, check sold listings
Amazon Seller app: Scan books, check FBA prices
Google Lens: Identify unknown items, brands, patterns
Portable charger: Phone is essential, keep it charged
Tote bags: Better than carts for moving fast
Comfortable shoes: You'll be on your feet for hours

Pricing Psychology

The ROI Test

Before buying, quickly calculate: if this costs $5 and sells for $20, that's 4x ROI. Worth it. If it costs $10 and sells for $15, probably not worth the effort. Use our Tape Calculator to keep a running total while sourcing.

When to Pass

Stains, holes, or damage that's hard to fix
Items that will sit for 6+ months
Heavy items with low margins (shipping kills profit)
Anything you can't confidently price

When to Buy

You know the brand and it sells
Clear 3x+ ROI potential
Rare or vintage items (even if you need research)
Complete sets (more valuable than singles)

Building Your Route

Use our Sourcing Planner to save locations and plan efficient trips.

Map your area: Note all thrifts within reasonable distance
Track inventory cycles: Learn which days each store restocks
Suburban > Urban: Less competition, better prices
Wealthy neighborhoods: Better donation quality
Efficient loops: Hit 3-5 stores per trip for efficiency
Track what works: Note which stores yield best finds

💡 The 30-Mile Rule: Drive 30 minutes from a major city and thrifts are less picked, cheaper, and have more vintage items. Worth the gas.

Speed Tips

Start at the back of the store, work forward
Scan racks by texture/color, not one by one
Check labels while items are still on rack
Use cart as staging area, final decision at checkout
If unsure, grab it - put back later if needed
Set a time limit to avoid analysis paralysis