Luck at the thrift store!

I always advice new comers to fill out their gear lists by buying good, used gear.
What successes have you had at the local thrift sores?

I am going way back for this one - Army surplus Mountain cook set (two nesting 2 qt pots w/ frying pan lid) -still in service 50 years later

Also Army surplus bear paw snowshoes - price $7.50. Worked great right

As a young student, i haunted surplus stores and got a lot of items that worked, some adequately, some extremely well. Thrift stores still have bargains, but you have to know your stuff.

Actually, most of my sores have been pretty expensive.

Found a nice down camping blanket.

Thrift shops have been very good to me over the years. The charity shops are by far the best, although Value Village has established itself here (a more expensive, for-profit chain).

The trick is to walk through regularly. To be efficient with time and gas, I have a "trapline" of errands in different areas, and a quick tour through the local thrift shops is SOP. (I also think it's cheap entertainment, though some consider that weird.)

I have found good US-made folders (Buck 110, Gerber Gator, original Schrade), a Grohmann boat knife, Swedish filleting knives, assorted SAKs in great condition, and even the occasional multitool.

There's car-camping gear too, like Coleman stoves and lightweight pots. Campfire guitars, too, needing only minor repairs.

For those who suffer the misconception that these stores are intended for poor people only, ask the managers: they will tell you that the world is drowning in "stuff" and they are converting it back into cash for programs that truly help those trying to escape poverty and addiction. (While incidentally keeping perfectly good stuff out of the landfills.)

I have found some bargains in UK charity shops, but it sounds as though the USA stores may carry a better selection.
Many UK charities are anti-knife and wont sell multi tools or SAKs and the like. And even if the charity has no such policy, individual staff might.
There is also a general reluctance to handle "hazardous" goods including camp stoves or fuel burning lanterns.

I have obtained several pocket knives and multi tools "via the back door" of a local charity shop. I know well one of the volunteers at the shop and they save for me certain prohibited items that would never appear in the shop.

Aha! You have cracked the code. The keyword is "trust." If the volunteers know you and trust that you aren't bent on mayhem, an arrangement can be made. They don't want these items sent to a landfill; they don't want them as street weapons either. Chat them up, be a regular donor of things they can sell, and always donate a few dollars when they provide you with items they can't put on the shelves. It works.

People skills

Agreed, people skills; and building positive community connections.

I would add: work on positive interactions with the store manager. When there's a policy in place, volunteers and front-line staff often don't have the authority to make these kinds of grey-area decisions. The manager has some latitude to make judgement calls.

Yes, be nice, introduce yourself.
Let them know what you are looking for.
(Bring in donations)

Just picked up a hammock quilt...for $10

This is one of my favorite hobbies! I started this after my kids joined scouts.

100% wool blankets for 2.99 to 6.99 dollars.

Nalgene bottles. 99 cents to 2.99 dollars I always keep an eye out for stainless steel bottles, but most are el-cheapo with small mouths, kinda useless....

Sleeping bags. 1.99 to 6.99--- (the 6.99 was a 20 degree bag that still had the price tag on it- well worth the trip)

Camping stoves- found many, but most of the time they are very worn...did find one butane model that looked brand new.


We even have a computer- focused goodwill in our area- 17 inch Lcd monitors for 15-20 bucks, gotta love it!

A 30l daypack. Gonna live in the car for hikes and such

A Brooks Brothers suit that fits me exactly for $12.

OK, my story is different.
First, there are no thrift stores in my corner of the world.
So, why am I here in this thread ?

Well, I did one time get something of great value while visiting our charity office. They usually take anything in whatever condition. They sell the stuff to recycling companies and the money is spent on charity purposes.

So, one day I was donating stuff (paper, plastic ..etc.) and saw a few boxes full of books. After closely examining one box, I went to office and offered them (the equivalent of) $30 for that box, which they accepted. It was full of medical books and safety manuals. I took the box home to my daughter who is a doctor. She was extremely happy.

Hey, Chisel, would you mind explaining why there are no thrift stores in your part of the world? Is it considered too embarrassing to buy second-hand clothing? Or are people so frugal that they always find another use for old stuff? Or are people very wealthy?

I´m not sure we have any in Finland, either. Perhaps in the capital Helsinki. Flea markets we have a lot of but that is not the same as I understand it.

We have flea markets. And you can find everything there. New or used, and mostly used. But there are no shops that are dedicated to selling used stuff.

Why ? It isn't one reason, Bingley

Generally speaking : if you scan any region of the world, you will find types of businesses and establishments that you will not find in other countries/regions. Societies are different. Globalization is melting corners of the world into one pot, but things aren't completely identical.

Regarding wealth, not everyone around here is wealthy. You get almost the same mix in the U.S., Europe, Asia , and about anywhere else. There are people (either low income, or used to thrifty lifestyle) who may buy used equipment (especially in business) or a used car ..etc. But, not personal items like clothes and such.

Regarding embarrassment, there are off course cultural differences. A few decades ago, we had many more American expatriates here (compared to more Asians now), and they held garage sales ..etc. I bought from them tools, books ..etc. But honestly, we were shocked to see them selling their underwear. This was a cultural shock. LOL.

This is what comes to mind right now regarding buying used stuff.
And off course, you will find all kinds of people in any society. I am the kind of practical, simplistic type of person , so I bought a used car before, and may go to flea market to find tools ..etc. and have bought a used desk from a closing company ..etc. But there are other people who will never go "cheap" like this.

Not exactly a thrift store, but the local Walmart had five pairs of size 13 Chuck Taylor All-Star knockoff shoes for $3.00 each. They are now in my closet! Sometimes being big-footed works to my advantage.
-Blast