Episode 5: TOP SECRET Thrifting Tips. 

It's finally time to start shopping for your design project! At the start of this episode, we describe exactly why we believe in shopping secondhand as our first option to furnish a home. It's sustainable, the items are higher quality at a lower cost, and it's the best way to find unique pieces.

Here are a few articles we reference that discuss the sustainability piece in general: 

‘Fast Furniture’ Is Cheap. And Americans Are Throwing It in the Trash.
Your stuff is actually worse now.

Here are tips from the four categories of secondhand stores that we highlight: 

Thrift stores/flea markets:
*Location can really inform what you see on the shelves (urban, wealthier zip codes = designer items, better fashion, rural = homespun, handmade pieces like quilts and baskets etc).
*Find out when they restock and go on the following day.
*Always be on the lookout for off-season items (coats in the summer, etc).
*Ask about savings programs and discount days; befriend employees for the best deals.
*Keep an open mind!
*Take multiple passes through store.
*Haggle if an item is damaged or priced too high.
*Avoid anything broken unless you’re willing and ready to fix it.
*Look for natural fabrics, high quality details (metal zippers, lining).
*Search for stamps and markings that show authenticity and age.
*Make sure you know the store's policies (especially its return policy).
*If you like something, buy it. Don't pass it up because it won't still be there!

Antique malls + consignment stores:
*Look for the vibe of a booth (you can generally tell pretty quickly).
*Don't be afraid to haggle because many of these items sit for a long time.
*Look up and down (lighting and rugs).

Facebook marketplace:
*Put app on your phone for easiest local searching
*Search every day and save anything you like to train the algorithm
*Make an immediate offer and offer more or less depending on how its priced and how much you want it
*Join local buy/sell/trade groups as well as Instagram subscription groups that share good listings amongst themselves (The Makerista, House Friends (a design club for design enthusiasts)
*Find a buddy who loves design and is always hunting too.

Estate sales:
*Estatesales.net is the best site to find local sales.
*Look at photos and descriptions ahead of time. If you see something you want, go early on the first day and beeline to the item.
*If you're browsing or just looking for deals, go on the last day and offer less.

Here are the 3 takeaways from this episode:
1) Be prepared: Dress for easy try-ons (leggings and a tank top) plus a cross body bag so your hands are free to shop. Pack hand sanitizer, a tape measure, and make sure you have your phone for photos and to Google items.
2. Educate yourself on the store: Consider location, store policies, whether you can haggle or not, the overall vibe and prices, which are the best days to go (generally early in the week).
3. Keep an open mind! You might pass up pieces that could really work for you. And don't get too discouraged that you give up. Thrifting is a game of frequency and having fun, even when you don't score big.