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Thrift Store review
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After receiving quite a few favorable emails about my article on Pawn Shops, I’ve decided to follow it up with a review for something along the same lines: The Thrift Store.
Much like my Pawn Shops review, I don’t really have any specific Thrift Stores in mind...other than a few of the larger chains(Goodwill Industries, Christian Community Action, Salvation Army, etc). With that said, any Thrift Store will work for the purposes of this review; after all they basically all operate under the same premise(reselling charitable donations).
Essentially it works like this: The Thrift Store receives donations, resells the items and puts the money towards those in need. It’s an all-around wonderful idea that ensures that everyone who participates comes away with the knowledge that they did something to help out a fellow human being.
Though it’s easy to see what these stores have in common with the typical Pawn Shop, what I wanted to focus on was what makes them different...but still such a great place for the retro gaming shopper to hit up.
1. Reasonable pricing: I rarely run in to a Thrift Store that’s trying to get $69.99 for a Super Nintendo, or something as equally ridiculous. Much like the Pawn Shops, most Thrift Stores don’t have any real idea as to what to charge for most stuff...but that doesn't stop them from almost always start it at something reasonable. A friend of mine picked up a Sony Playstation for just $4 during one of our trips...
2. Store size: Most of the Thrift Stores I’ve run in to are taking space where a grocery store, or some other sizeable business used to be. This gives you, the retro gaming shopper, a *huge* amount of space to explore in. Remember, Thrift Stores aren’t the most organized places out there, and a lot of time they just simply throw stuff on the first available shelf found. Though you may not see this as a benefit immediately, trust me...at some point you will. I happened across a Microsoft SideWinder Force Feedback Wheel(complete with the pedals) on the back of a shelf in the Kitchen and Appliances section. Had that of been in the correct section, how long do *you* think it'd of lasted when it was priced at just $5? I'm thinking less than 5 minutes.
3. Fresh stock. Every time I pull up to one of the larger Thrift Stores in my area there are *lines* of cars waiting to donate items. This means that even though you may have only found a brand new 32X unit this time around, there's *definitely* going to be more(and different) stuff available on your next trip. I don't know that I've ever walked in to a Thrift Store to find the exact same stock I walked in to during my last trip.
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4. Sales! As I just mentioned, the massive amount of stock flooding through the doors has to be sold in order to keep things moving. What’s the best way to get stock out of the store? You got it: A sale! Thrift Store sales are unlike anything else you’ve come across because when they want to get rid of something, they will drop it down to a point where they are almost giving it to you for free! Hitting a store that’s having a sale is euphoric, there’s no other way to describe it. How does 70% off of Nintendo 64 games, that were only $3 to begin with, sound?
5. Insane variety: Though Pawn Shops will take virtually anything, even they have their limits...or what they are offering is so low, that not even the most hard up of individuals will take it. With Thrift Stores, there are no restrictions...they really will take *everything* people offer up. Where as a Pawn Shop has no desire to take in Nintendo’s R.O.B., a Thrift Store will not only take it, but then turn around and sell it for just $5 to get it out of the store.
Reasonable pricing, insane sales, continuously fresh stock and the utter thrill of the hunt...plus add to it that every time you buy something from one of these stores you’re helping out someone who could really use it. There’s no downside for anyone involved, what are you waiting for!?
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