Head to These Atlanta Thrift Stores to Find Some New-to-You Goods (2024)

FAQs

How do you find rare and valuable items at thrift stores? ›

Go for Unique Items

Another way to identify a valuable item is to see if there are others like it on the shelves. If there are, it might be a sign that it's not highly sought after, and thus would likely sell at a lower price point.

Hesitate to Bargain

Thrift store prices are low, but that doesn't mean they can't go lower. If you think something is priced too high for what is, ask if they're willing to take less for it. Just be polite in doing so and don't be discouraged if they're not open to bargaining.

Look for typically high-value items

Once inside a thrift store, you can search for items that may be ideal for flipping. These items may include collectable items, such as trading cards and action figures, or clothes and accessories, such as shoes, purses and watches.

1. Increased popularity: Thrift store shopping (thrifting) has gained popularity in recent years greatly due to social media, content creation, environmental concerns, and a desire for unique or vintage items. This increased demand has driven prices up as thrift stores capitalize on the trend.

Whether you plan to sell it or wear it yourself, it's always a good idea to skim through the clothing racks for name-brand finds. Even better if it's vintage! Keep an eye out for designer shoes, purses and accessories, too.

Clothing. Clothing is an item that sells best in thrift stores. Accounting for 31.8 percent of industry revenue, clothing is the largest revenue generator in the Thrift Stores industry, according to IBISWorld. Instead of paying higher retail prices, many people are switching to thrift stores for their clothing needs.

What's the best thing to resell? ›

It's not uncommon to find thrift store flippers making close to $100k every year from thrift store flipping. It, however, still depends on how much you put in. If you're willing to put in enough time to learn about flipping and carefully research the items to sell, you can make a comfortable living.

Wealthier people have begun to frequent thrift stores, shopping for the same items as low-income people who were the original customers of the secondhand shops. In addition to wearing the clothes themselves, many thrifters in recent years have also started reselling the clothing on websites like Depop at a higher rate.

Others do accept credit/debit cards. If you're planning to visit only one store, $30 ought to be enough if you're only going to buy a few things, and those few things cost less than $10 on average. However if you're going on what I call a 'thrift run,' i.e. visiting a number of stores, I'd bring at least $100.

It's best to work with a professional certified by the Appraisers Association of America, the International Society of Appraisers, or the American Society of Appraisers. After completing the appraisal, the appraiser will give you a written report explaining the item, the valuation procedure, and its current value.

Look for signatures on pieces, which can mean a work of art is either original or part of a limited series. A signature can also give you a sense of a piece's potential worth or provide you a breadcrumb for finding out more information about the artist.