15 Expert Secrets for Finding Thrift Store Gems

Convenience is key. Most dedicated thrift-store shoppers don't have any more time than the rest of us. They frequent stores closest to their work or home. A quick Google search will help you locate a shop or two you can stop in on your lunch break, on your way home from work, or while doing Saturday errands. 

This is why you need to identify conveniently located thrift stores. Most thrift stores, especially the bigger ones like the Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Saint Vincent de Paul, have a lot of merchandise turnover. So, while you may strike out one week, the next could be a treasure trove. Going often ups the chances you'll find that vintage tulip table.

Make a point of striking up a conversation with management. They can let you know when a new shipment is coming in, when a flash sale might occur, or if that certain item you've been searching for was just put on the shelf on aisle seven.

Did you know some thrift stores have a frequent buyer's club? It's worth it to join. Even just a few shopping trips can score you a coupon worth $5, which is a lot in thrift-store currency.

It's easy to get overwhelmed. Making a wish list of three or four items can help keep you on task. When shopping for furniture especially, always measure the space in your home where you'd like that specific piece to fit, and include those measurements on your list.

While many stores will have a tape measure on hand, don't count on it. The last thing you want to do is purchase a gorgeous desk that is two inches too long for your home office. (Few thrift stores accept returns.)

It's imperative that you're connected to wi-fi or have plenty of data when shopping. A quick online search for manufacturer name can help you learn more about the item's origins—and its value.

Sometimes, the messiest thrift stores can yield the best finds. Stacks of mediocre items can conceal incredible treasures so always search through those piles of paintings, shelves of silver, or rows of pottery. Also, circle back to aisles or rooms you've already been through, but from the other direction. Often you can spot things you didn't see the first time.

The best thrift-store shoppers are like good detectives. They look for clues for good quality. A thick coating of tarnish on a silver teapot can make the maker's mark difficult, but not impossible, to read. Always try your hardest to find it. And don't feel shy about opening up drawers, lifting pillows, or crawling under a table to find a manufacturer's name. Bring a magnifying glass if you need to.

Don't let a poor paint choice get in the way of noticing a piece's solid framework, nice lines, or striking shape. A little sanding and painting can go a long way to get your piece in prime condition. When it comes to art, look past a bad frame job. Sometimes, a lovely wrapped canvas can be rescued from its ugly frame. 

Some damage is a deal breaker, like a lamp with frayed wiring or a dining table that ripples with water damage. But some wear is minimal and can be fixed easily and cheaply with a furniture touch-up kit or a good polish.   

Sometimes, it's that small chip or nick that landed a high-value treasure in the thrift store in the first place. For example, a turn-of-the-century Chinoiserie blue and white vase with a small chip on the back is still a find. Just swivel that chip to the back of your mantel.

If you live in a larger metropolitan area, it's worth your time to decamp to the sleepy suburbs for a day of thrifting. Prices can be dramatically lower, and trendier items that might be more coveted in urban areas—brass accessories, ginger jars, and mid-century modern furniture —may be offered at a fraction of the price.

Always be open to thrift-store destiny. If you thrift enough, a day will come when you stumble on an incredible find that you didn't even know you wanted. Maybe it's a little funkier than your typical taste, or in a color you don't yet have in your design. But it speaks to you. Some may call it an impulse buy, but expert thrifters will see it as a statement piece.

Buyer's remorse is real. Even the best thrift-store shoppers get it wrong from time to time. If you discover your "treasure" is anything but, send it back out into the universe by donating it to another thrift store, selling it online, or giving it to a friend who really digs it.