Non-scientific study....

[Big Daddy Audio]

I've been thinking about a few recent threads, and wanted to have people come up with their own non-scientific rating system (say out of 10, with decimals) or out of 100 (with or without) as to how good the pickings are right now.

As for me, it would be in the 40's or 50's (out of 100) because while the stores have lots of stuff, most of it is real dreck.  The shelves are packed with worthless stuff like off-brand VCRs and chinese made no-name small electronics.  It seems like anything of value is snapped up immediately, or isn't being donated at all.  I might be tempted to knock a few more points off for the insane pricing policies that many stores I frequent have adopted.

I'd love to hear what you guys think.

[Skip]

Firstly, I just want to say that it is an honor that you'd love to hear what we think.

"Dreck", wow, you really are from NY!

In any case, this doesn't really answer your question but I'll tell you what my mother said.  My mother who is a seasoned pro in thrift stores, garage and rummage sales etc. Told me just two weeks ago that during this time of the year (spring,summer) she stays away from the thrift stores and sticks to the garage sales. She also said it it the same up north in Toronto as where you are.

That said, I gotta run to the GW for a pair of Panasonic speakers for my HK 330i that I saw there last week for $10.

[brianrhc]

Agree with BAD "while the stores have lots of stuff, most of it is real dreck."

[valleythriftshopper]

The thrifts here go up and down constantly.  The most aggravating thing is the two Sal Army stores here are always out of sync.  If one goes downhill, the other one will get better, then if the lesser store starts to improve the better one will suddenly get worse- very weird.  I have to admit though I have a short term memory for thrift scores since I am always looking for the next best things.  I would give the thirfts here a score of 6 out of 10 at then moment, although I do find some good things.  Now that yard/church sale season is starting up I am not as worried about bad thrifting.  That summer season is off to a pretty good start so far. 

[Good Buddy]

As for me, it would be in the 40's or 50's (out of 100) because while the stores have lots of stuff, most of it is real dreck.  The shelves are packed with worthless stuff like off-brand VCRs and Chinese made no-name small electronics.  It seems like anything of value is snapped up immediately, or isn't being donated at all.  I might be tempted to knock a few more points off for the insane pricing policies that many stores I frequent have adopted.

I think what you think.
For those of us who have been thrifting for decades I can remember a time when you could go to a few shops and completely furnish a home in super cool 50's to 70's things.
Now 70's is rare.
80's and 90's stuff is mostly low quality junk.
I've been relegated to being thrilled to find a CD that I'd once owned but sold as a poor college student.
Luckliy for us, we live in a town of 50% retirees. Thrift thrifts in Florida and Arizona for that matter are some of the best for retaining older merchandise.

[Big Daddy Audio]

As for me, it would be in the 40's or 50's (out of 100) because while the stores have lots of stuff, most of it is real dreck.  The shelves are packed with worthless stuff like off-brand VCRs and Chinese made no-name small electronics.  It seems like anything of value is snapped up immediately, or isn't being donated at all.  I might be tempted to knock a few more points off for the insane pricing policies that many stores I frequent have adopted.

I think what you think.
For those of us who have been thrifting for decades I can remember a time when you could go to a few shops and completely furnish a home in super cool 50's to 70's things.
Now 70's is rare.
80's and 90's stuff is mostly low quality junk.
I've been relegated to being thrilled to find a CD that I'd once owned but sold as a poor college student.
Luckliy for us, we live in a town of 50% retirees. Thrift thrifts in Florida and Arizona for that matter are some of the best for retaining older merchandise.

And the thing that gets me is the pricing.  You used to be able to outfit a small apartment for under a hundred bucks or so - now you're lucky to get a couch for that -and the quality isn't all that great!

Things are being donated that have no business being donated - contemporary small appliances that have gone completely round the twist (It's really easier and cheaper to buy a new hot plate than it is to buy one with a non-functioning heating element and replace the coil); Off-brand clothing that is permanently soiled and stained; unplayable (due to extreme warpage and scratching) vinyl records without the jackets no less.  What are these people and stores thinking?  I guess you can craft with anything, but to put a $1.99 price on a record that would only be used in a cannibalistic fashion is out of line.  Charge a dime and clear them out.

Insane.   

[Good Buddy]

Things are being donated that have no business being donated - contemporary small appliances that have gone completely round the twist (It's really easier and cheaper to buy a new hot plate than it is to buy one with a non-functioning heating element and replace the coil); Off-brand clothing that is permanently soiled and stained; unplayable (due to extreme warpage and scratching) vinyl records without the jackets no less.  What are these people and stores thinking?  I guess you can craft with anything, but to put a $1.99 price on a record that would only be used in a cannibalistic fashion is out of line.  Charge a dime and clear them out.

Insane.   

Holy rant Batman!
But pretty much true. Many thrifts will put out anything and hope they sell it, even broken items. Sometimes people buy junk and it's ok with them.

The times they are a changin'.

[FleaQueen]

My mother who is a seasoned pro in thrift stores, garage and rummage sales etc. Told me just two weeks ago that during this time of the year (spring,summer) she stays away from the thrift stores and sticks to the garage sales.

I gave up on garage sales in this area years ago.  One year I kept a list of all the garage/yard sales I had attended, and ranked them 'worth it,' or 'not worth it.'  Over 90% of the garage/yard sales I went to were not worth the time and gas.  Practically all of them around here (NE Philadelphia) are done by people getting rid of kids clothes, beat-up toys, and junk they purchased from Walmart two years ago.

www.fullservicebohemian.blogspot.com

[Big Daddy Audio]

My mother who is a seasoned pro in thrift stores, garage and rummage sales etc. Told me just two weeks ago that during this time of the year (spring,summer) she stays away from the thrift stores and sticks to the garage sales.

I gave up on garage sales in this area years ago.  One year I kept a list of all the garage/yard sales I had attended, and ranked them 'worth it,' or 'not worth it.'  Over 90% of the garage/yard sales I went to were not worth the time and gas.  Practically all of them around here (NE Philadelphia) are done by people getting rid of kids clothes, beat-up toys, and junk they purchased from Walmart two years ago.

A friend and I were garage saling about 2 months ago (they start early in Arizona because of the weather) and it seemed like everyone we went to had HUGE FREAKING SIGNS to advertise it with the words "HUGE (GARAGE/YARD) SALE" and we'd invariably pull up to a home with three Rubbermaid bins of baby clothes and a worthless high-chair and porta-crib.  Every one of them.  There was nothing of value to me.

Except one sale.

I pulled up because something caught my eye - something you don't see everyday.  There was no price on it, but I had to inquire.  It was something I had been looking for, but really had no idea I'd find one in Arizona.  It was in fair to good condition, which was fine for what I wanted it for - I wouldn't be using it for what it was first designed.  I was going to use it to add a little character to my minivan.  My completely-lacking-in-character minivan.

I pulled away from the yard sale with a $5 green Australian surfboard.

Score.

To this day, it's still on the minivan, and we get thumbs-up wherever we go.  The minivan now has elan.