Brands -- Should they mark up the price?

[conversationviaradio]

I know most have the section of big brand names -- with the pants suit by liz clayborn or something from the 80's. Which was fine I just didn't shop that section; because a) they were clueless about what was "in style" and b) it was usually twice as much. I loved the good old days when there was a sign at the end of the aisle "Jeans-.99" or what ever the price, all of them, no questions. That was nice.
I went into a goodwill the other day and guided by God I stumbled onto my all time favorite brand (Mossimo -- its a target brand but not a household name or anything) of jeans in my size. Great.  I looked at the price $5.99 and thought wow talk about inflation. I looked at another pair of jeans to price match, similar size and quality but a brand i had never hear of, it was $2.99. So I have to ask.. Do you think they are getting smarter about brands. And if so is that fair to mark up the price that much?
Hope you enjoyed my rant.

[goodaim]

Hi Conversation and welcome to the forum! I agree with you, sometimes the price tags at thrift stores don't seem to be justified when the garment was moderately priced to begin with at its original store. I've seen this often with Old Navy as well as various Target, Kohl's and Wal-Mart labels.

When I see something that I think is marked up too high for the label, I just pass it by. Fortunately, I've made up for such times by what often seems to be ridicuously low thrift store prices for pricier labels. Go figure!

goodaim

[Other People s Junk]

Welcome!

I don't think they should mark up the price, just because of the brand.  I could care less what the brand is, so long as it fits and I like the style!  When I thrift shop, I like consistant prices, so I agree with you, all jeans should be such and such price!

[Silversuess]

I generally don't think thrift stores should be raising the prices of certain items they consider "designer".

I mean come on!! Items you find in these places are either donated or items that didn't originally sell from Walmart, Target, etc.

They shouldn't just go and try to inflate prices!!!  Items are often secondhand (preworn), typically out of style (sometimes many styles ago!), or items that were unwanted in the first place (but still unused and basically new) and donated to the thrift store.

So....basically thrift stores have no business marking up items that are NOT new.

People pay good money to buy the latest, in-style, brand new jeans (or shoes, jacket you get the idea). By the time you see it in the thrift stores, it is usually no longer the latest style...therefore it should be of low price.


But thats my opinion.  Yeah I hate it when thrift stores seem to jack up prices because they realized it was of a  brand name or designer and thought they could get away with pricing it what a lot of people consider to be a high amount for being secondhand.

[ChrisMiss]

I totally agree that brands should not determine the price...unless of course it's some really expensive designer stuff like a Chanel or something.

[Jay2TheRescue]

I generally don't think thrift stores should be raising the prices of certain items they consider "designer".

I mean come on!! Items you find in these places are either donated or items that didn't originally sell from Walmart, Target, etc.

They shouldn't just go and try to inflate prices!!!  Items are often secondhand (preworn), typically out of style (sometimes many styles ago!), or items that were unwanted in the first place (but still unused and basically new) and donated to the thrift store.

So....basically thrift stores have no business marking up items that are NOT new.

People pay good money to buy the latest, in-style, brand new jeans (or shoes, jacket you get the idea). By the time you see it in the thrift stores, it is usually no longer the latest style...therefore it should be of low price.


But thats my opinion.  Yeah I hate it when thrift stores seem to jack up prices because they realized it was of a  brand name or designer and thought they could get away with pricing it what a lot of people consider to be a high amount for being secondhand.

Time to inject some of my professional knowlege here.  There is a guide to determine a used garment's value.  I uploaded it here:  http://members.aol.com/jay2dresq/ebay/Depreciation_guide.pdf

If the depreciated value is above what the thrift has it priced, you are definately getting ripped off!

-Jay

[foutchie]

Thanks for the guide, Jay!  I carry the list you gave a while back of labels whose clothing is made well and those who aren't in my purse and pull it out all the time!

[hollidais]

Jay is it possible to get that list again about the brand names.  Or can it be found somewhere on this site?

Thanks
Hollidais

[Jay2TheRescue]

Jay is it possible to get that list again about the brand names.  Or can it be found somewhere on this site?

Thanks
Hollidais

The list starts at post # 6 of the following thread, and continues...

http://www.thethriftshopper.com/forums/shopper/index.php?topic=634.15

-Jay

[hollidais]

Thanks for the list.  I have not bought alot of clothes but plan to look alittle.
hollidais

[Krisathome]

I might disagree alittle.  I would be willing to pay more for a brand I like and know.  Now I would prefer to pay the smaller price, sure.  But if it's something I really like I will pay more. 

[dukek9]

I think certain brands should be priced a bit higher than others. I mainly feel the Wal Mart/Kmart kid of clothes should be priced a bit lower.

One thing is the price.  Say a tee shirt at Walmart costs $10 and it's $2.00 at the thrift store. Another tee, of better quality and I will argue will last longer, costs $20 new. Well, even if I pay a higher price for that tee, say it's $3 rather than $2, I still feel I have made a better bargain.

And I think having a slighter higher price on some items, may encourage some people to donate good items to a thrift. If someone brings in an expensive item and finds them priced as low as the cheaper items, they might feel that the thrift obviously doesn't value their items, so why bother to donate?

On the other hand, I do love to find a brand I like at the lowest price . . . .
Dee