25 years shopping thrift stores, estate, garage, rummage, flea markets and tag sales. 10 years in interior design. Current DIY projects have been renovating two turn-of-the century brownstones and commercial/residential property development. 
(4.33 out of 5)New Phenomena: Thrift Store Chains
June 11th, 2008 by markdownmom
A new style of thrift store is responding to the economic and popular need of bargain hunters to find items both practical and decorative at great prices. MDM has found that in the larger cities like the Twin Cities, one entity manages several thrift stores under one non-profit umbrella similar to a department store chain. Valu Thrift, and Valu Stores are some of the names that belong to the same nonprofit entity.
Pricing is uniformed within a category. For example, a pictures, prints, regardless of size and quality will be priced the same unless it is a true antique. Designer purses such as Coach and Gucci are priced from $19.99-$24.99. Glassware from a handblown apple to an antique liquor bottle will run you $1.80.
If you find a spectacular buy, you could buy it at the time, or wait for the weekly Customer Appreciation Day that varies from store to store and save an additional 25% off all purchases. The inventory is extensive and includes both new and used merchandise. MDM found beautiful gowns and suits in the apparel areas, rugs and area rugs, jewelry, furniture, electronics, accessories, home decor items, and more. Plan on spending 1-2 hours, depending upon the size of the store and an organized attack plan of shopping the stores. Items for sale go first to a central location and then evenly distributed among the stores, but due to supply, you will not see the exact same merchandise at each store. MDM recommends that you make a list of each store according to their customer appreciation day and shop them on that day to maximize your savings.
Tip: Come across an item you are not sure about, put it in your cart and edit your selections right before checking out. It’s easier to discard an item than it is to retrace your steps to find an item you have reconsidered.
These stores do not provide a complimentary wheelchair, but generally have doors that open automatically.
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Tags: designer bargains
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