The definition of Thrift

[Zed Simon]

On another forum, somewhere deep in my galaxy, there occasionally crop up conversations about things people buy in thrift stores. Inevitably, one person will complain about the price of something, saying, "Wow, that's high for a thrift store." That comment gets countered by something like, "Well, it's a charity. So what if they price it at what it sells for on eBay?"

That forum might be starting that same debate again. I just posted a comment that I guess aligns with the first comment in the last graf.

My contention is that it's a THRIFT store. Things in thrift stores are SUPPOSED to be low- or fairly-priced, because that's the whole point. Thrift = frugality. Direct synonym. If a store charges an eBay price for something that's not mega-collectible or super-rare, they destroy the very definition of a thrift store and become more of a secondhand store. They don't have to charge insane prices because their merchandise is usually donated to them for nothing.

Besides, there are people directly assisted by the charities that run thrift stores. These people shop thrifts by necessity and can't afford to buy things anywhere else. I say they're entitled to have nice things beyond their daily needs once in a while. Why price them out of something they really want just because the store takes eBay as pricing gospel?

On the other hand, I understand the stores' need to raise funds for operating costs. Light bills and store rent don't pay themselves, and the money does have to come from somewhere. Most stores are non-profit and like I said, have most of their items donated to them, so 100% of the money they get from the sales of those items can go right into the organization. eBay pricing can help stores get the most for their donations, and in turn more money for stores and programs, so what's a couple extra bucks here and there? It goes to a good cause!

I sure hope I don't start a war here, but I'm truly curious...which side of this argument are you on?

[Good Buddy]

VERY well put, as usual brother!

[Jay2TheRescue]

Ebay gets their prices because its a world market.  A thrift store only sells to whomever walks into the door.  It is not a world market.  One should not have to pay a high price because a particular item is hot in Japan or Germany.  Plus, if the stores are not selling to a world market, they should price their items to allow a reasonable profit for the person who will buy the item and find the right buyer for it.

[valleythriftshopper]

I totally agree with both statements.  In addition to having a worl market, auctions are totally different than selling in a storefront.  There is a whole psychology to auctions.  There was a show on PBS just the other night that was about  people's perception of money and they did an experiment where they auctioned off a $20 bill and the bidding went to $28.00.  Many people go on Ebay to bid for entertainment as well as to find items they are looking for. 

The thing that irks me the most is that most thrifts stores don't take condition as a factor when they price things either.  Their item with a chip on it probably wouldn't even get a bid on Ebay.  Also selling counterfeit handbags for 20-40 dollars as my local Salvation Army does, is illegal in addition to being stupid.  Knock-off designer good support all kinds of crime and the "charity" thrift stores should know better.  I have thought about reporting the one Sal Army that sells alot of knock-off bags, but haven't looked into who I should report it too. 

I could go on all day about this topic.  It is sad because I am really only going to one thrift store now, the Sal Army in the next town that has not been corrupted yet.

[anastasiabeaverhausen]

when I worked a DV thrift store, we received funding for rent, lights, payroll etc FOR a time, then when the store was self sustainable we lost our funding but I didnt push my prices up, because like everyone says my merchandise was donations it was FREE so it was all profit, and I got so much, I had to turn it around quick. These thrift stores now are getting horrible, marking up prices...checking ebay etc I notice now more stuff sits around longer, then they will gradually go down in price, but Im just wondering what is sitting around in the back of the stores waiting to be put out... none of the stores here do half price days or give coupons  just not as fun or thrifty as it used to be...but you are right..if it helps the store raise money for a good cause, its ok right? Even yard saling I wont try to bargain at a church sale or relay for life sale etc...but a regular joe schmo yardsale I wanna barter all the time, I'm cheap..errr thrifty by nature!

[Jay2TheRescue]

The thing that irks me the most is that most thrifts stores don't take condition as a factor when they price things either.  Their item with a chip on it probably wouldn't even get a bid on Ebay.

I have a thrift in my area that does the print out the ebay auction and tape it to the item thing.  Many times the item its attached to is in poor condition, or in some cases is a reproduction, but the people in the store don't know enough about the item to know its not the same.

[valleythriftshopper]

The Ebay printout is the most annoying thing in the world!  I have only seen it done at yard sales, it so stupid, no one going to a yard sale cares.  My local thrifts haven't sunk that low yet, they probably don't want to draw attention to the fact that half of them are selling on Ebay, leaving only crap to choose from at the store. 

[Jay2TheRescue]

Agreed.  If I wanted to pay Ebay prices, why would I even walk in their store?  I'll just sit back on my couch with my laptop and buy it.