This is why I thrift.........

[Frchgrl]

Friday night after work I decided to go to my local Goodwill. That’s what I do love about Goodwill and that’s their hours. They are open until 9pm so usually when the mood hits, they are available. What I DON’T like about Goodwill is their prices. Sometimes I get pretty frustrated, as their prices are higher than department stores. But…that makes it all the more fun for me to hunt for that bargain. And that’s what happened Friday. I don’t expect to find anything too exciting as usually they sift pretty well through what they get and put it in their “higher end” thrift store called Keepers where they charge even more. (Don’t get me wrong I still love it! ) BUT…not this time. I had the upper hand. (insert sneaky laugh. ) I found my all time favorite thing to hunt for……….VINTAGE SHOES from the 40’s and 50’s. And at $7.99, “I” was the winner! I’m walking down the shoe isle where I do see some decent shoes, and many I could sell but they are usually $10 to $20 and that’s too high for me to invest since I like to resell on eBay.  But THESE puppies could have easily been in the $20 range (and should have been in their Keepers store. Neener neener) Ah, the satisfaction of knowing I had found the needle in the haystack. The rush, the high!

This is why I thrift!

What I had in my possession (must protect from lookers nearby, they may ambush me) were original Norman Kaplan’s from Las Vegas. So I researched online and find that Norman Kaplan started in Beverly Hills in the 50’s and became known for selling to stars like Marilyn Monroe, Betty Davis and the like. What? Could these have been Marilyn’s? Hey, you never know.  And yet these were from the Las Vegas store. Ooooh a showgirl perhaps?  The adventure my mind takes me on is what makes thrifting so exciting for me. The nostalgia I’m lucky to have come into my day is like a high I can’t explain.

I think you true thrifters probably understand.

So they are mine for just a little while (not my size, surprising a size 7 though! ) and then onto eBay where someone else can feel the excitement too. And hey maybe make a buck or two.

And then onto more thrifting…………………………..ah.

[Emerald31]

Nice Score Frchgrl, since I have a shoe fetish those shoes are right up my alley. Vintage shoes rarely appear at my local Goodwills. If they do appear they end up at Shopgoodwill.com.

[valleythriftshopper]

Great shoes, I am a 7 1/2 so I would probably try to stuff my feet into those!  I have never seen shoes like that around here, great vintage clothing is a rarity, and the Salvation Army here doesn't sell online so I don't know where all the vintage clothes are hiding, not at yard sales either for the most part.  I heard that the Salvation Army has a vintage store down in Springfield MA which is kind of a far drive, I am sure it is all overpriced anyway.  What I find the most of is pottery & glass, vintage sewing stuff & odds & ends antiques.  I would like to get some really great clothes & jewlery- maybe someday!

[Big Daddy Audio]

Friday night after work I decided to go to my local Goodwill...What I DON’T like about Goodwill is their prices....they put [their best stuff] in their “higher end” thrift store called Keepers where they charge even more.

BUT…not this time. I had the upper hand. (insert sneaky laugh. ) I found my all time favorite thing to hunt for……….VINTAGE SHOES from the 40’s and 50’s.

And at $7.99, “I” was the winner! Ah, the satisfaction of knowing I had found the needle in the haystack. The rush, the high!

What I had in my possession (must protect from lookers nearby, they may ambush me) were original Norman Kaplan’s from Las Vegas. So I researched online and find that Norman Kaplan started in Beverly Hills in the 50’s and became known for selling to stars like Marilyn Monroe, Betty Davis and the like. What? Could these have been Marilyn’s? Hey, you never know.  And yet these were from the Las Vegas store. Ooooh a showgirl perhaps?  The adventure my mind takes me on is what makes thrifting so exciting for me. The nostalgia I’m lucky to have come into my day is like a high I can’t explain.

I think you true thrifters probably understand.

I do understand. 

At one time, thrift stores were the "Happy Hunting Grounds."  No crowds, low prices, and plenty of swell stuff.  Things are more tough nowadays, but we true thrifters still have the upper hand, as the thrift store processors (the folks that price the stuff) can't possibly be experts in all areas, and will let these treasures through.

True high-end swag will go unnoticed by the processors.  They don't know what it is, and have no reason to price it higher.  A few years ago (could it be that long?) Jay2TheRescue gave us a crash course in shirts.  I had mentioned that it was crazy to see "Cherokee" and "St. John's Bay" shirts on Goodwill's better quality rack while Arrow, Hathaway, and LLBean sat in the regular section.

At that point, it became abundantly obvious that the processors were largely without a clue.  This was confirmed a little later when I found a Nakamichi BX-2 cassette deck for $7.99, while on the same shelf sat a Sanyo for $11.99.  Both worked fine.  Aside from that, there's no comparison between these decks.  The processor simply had no idea what the prices should be.  So, not only does this apply to "department store cast-offs" but to donated things in general.

The fact that the processors have no clue is what keeps me going back.  The idea that I never know what I'll find next is what prompts me to put the keys in the car and head out.

SYNT
BFN       

[oceangurl]

Ah BDA well said! I couldnt agree more, especially in the little hideaway (usually non-profit) stores where the workers are ummmm "older" and have no clue as to the value of something. Ex: a few yrs back I was in the Catholic thrift (before thrifting was popular and nobody knew the value of stuff) and up at the counter was a vintage bottle of "Gucci" parfum (which if anyone knows perfumes and colognes "parfum" is the best and highly concentrated) never opened and still in its original box for $1.00, I bought it and still have it on my dresser except I let my curiosity get the better of me and eventually opened it to "smell" it, but it still is full and in original box. Now this parfum would go for well above $100.00 simply because of the name of "Gucci" so I do relate and agree with you!

[Monimania]

amazing shoes!

[dewdrop_me_a_line]

I've taken so many 'friends' who envy my finesse. They are excited, yet they walk around with their arms tucked under . . . wondering why they can't find anything. My Darlinks! These wonderful people are from another planet. I thank God for them. They do buy when they are at the mall and when tired of the item . . .  send it to us thriftlings!

Hugz
dew

[FleaQueen]

LOVE 'em. 

Dig these shoes I got at Thrift World a few weeks ago -- they had FIVE pairs of the top pair, all NOS, and one of the bottom pair. 

I paid $2.95 per pair. 

[valleythriftshopper]

The bottom pair are really cute, nice find!

[Punk Glam Queen]

You guys both found some beautiful vintage shoes! They are my weakness... I lost count at 100 pairs, and that was 8 years ago...  I actually still have bins of vintage dead stock from when I had my shop, one of these days I will get myself together and get them sold to someone who will give them a good home and love them!
Cheers!
Suzanne

[genuineimitation]

flea - those shoes. incredible. i am amazed...

[Frchgrl]

First off, hello all.......been sidetracked with internet marketing junk...........

Wow those shoes are awesome! They look new. I would definitely had some major heart pumping finding those.

[el rojo grande]

Growing up as a middle child I had a life of hand me downs and I hated it. In 9th grade I discovered that ties, especially the thin 50s style were cool in and of themselves, but also popularized in punk and new wave bands. I had a huge collection of said ties from the Goodwill, and ever since, I have been hooked. I have a wonderful set of friends who love thrifting runs on Saturdays, so it's a real social wing-ding when we travel.
For many years I worked in the garment business (cantract t-shirt printing) until it all shipped out to Honduras, and from that point on I only wear t-shirts of my own designs, usually under thrifted Cuban and camp shirts. Haven't bought a suit or pants that were not "previously enjoyed" in over a decade.
To me it's all the serendipity of the hunt. One never knows what one will find.

[Jay2TheRescue]

You'd love the ties I found last week.  My local Goodwill had about a dozen narrow 50's ties - Most of them Wembley(s).  I picked out the 3 I liked most, for $2.98/ea. 

[Frchgrl]

You'd love the ties I found last week.  My local Goodwill had about a dozen narrow 50's ties - Most of them Wembley(s).  I picked out the 3 I liked most, for $2.98/ea. 

ooh nice. Ties of one of my faves.