Get to know the sorters: They can tip you off when good stuff comes in, or even set it aside.
Learn to bargain--especially at flea markets and garage sales. Some local thrift stores may also give you a better price if you ask, particularly if the thing you want to buy isn't in perfect condition. Of course, if the tag says "as is," that means it's being sold in less than perfect condition.
A few tips:
1. Act disinterested. The less you let on how much you want something, the less desperate you seem. And if you're willing to walk away from something, do. As you walk away, the seller may say, "Wait, I can give you a better price."
2. Take your money out; then say, "Would you take x for this?" Or: "Can you do any better than x dollars for this?" Another trick we pull is to take out our money and say, "Oh, I only have x dollars." Then look at them with puppy eyes. When they see the green, it's hard for them to say no.
Labels. labels. labels. If you like something for nothing, or if you are a real entrepreneur, educate yourself about brands and designers from ages past. Many a time I've bought a purse just based on the feel of it, and my mother has said, Oh, that's a fill in the blank...
ONCE YOU'RE THERE:
Look for sales. Many thrift stores offer 50% off on tags with a particular color.
Learn to look for fabric you like. Use your eyes to scan for patterns and colors. Use your hands to recognize quality.
Stay focused if you know what you're looking for. If you want a shirt, forget about the dresses until you've combed through the shirts. It's easy to zone out with all that loot. On the other hand, don't be surprised to discover beauty where you least expect it.
Know your size and be realistic. If something isn't going to fit you, maybe it'll fit a friend; it could make a nice and thrifty present. One way to tell if a shirt is going to fit: hold it by the underarms and line up one to your armpit. Wrap the whole thing from one armpit to the other. If the other underarm doesn't reach your armpit, it may not fit. With bottoms, hold the pants or skirt up in front of you with the zipper closed. If you can wrap the waist around your neck, it should fit. Of course, if you find an item you just can't live without, remember you can always hire a tailor to resize it. But keep in mind, you may end up paying more for the work than you did for the item itself!
Don't forget accessories like shoes, belts, purses, eyeglass frames and costume jewelry. You don't even have to try some of these things on.
Don't be afraid to experiment. Try stuff from a different era--even the '90s... Consider how you might change things or combine them.
Try the boys' department; try any department--people often try the coolest things on and leave them around the store. Especially at the end of random racks.
GENERAL ADVICE:
Learn to look for fabric you like. Use your eyes to scan for patterns and colors. Use your hands to recognize quality.
Don't forget accessories like shoes, belts, purses, eyeglass frames and costume jewelry. You don't even have to try some of these things on.
