How to Source Better at Thrift Stores

Thrift store sourcing has gotten harder. The combination of mainstream awareness of reselling, apps that make it easy for store staff to check prices, and the growth of "boutique" thrift stores that price closer to resale value has compressed margins significantly compared to five years ago.

That said, thrift stores are still one of the most reliable sourcing channels for resellers who know what they're doing. The key is approach.

Shop the stores others aren't

The most competitive thrift stores are in densely populated urban areas with large reselling communities. These are picked over quickly and priced aggressively. The stores worth going to are the ones that serve working communities, rural areas, or older demographics who donate items that younger resellers don't recognise. A Goodwill in a rural area that serves farming communities will have very different inventory than one in a gentrified urban neighbourhood.

Go on the right days

Most thrift stores restock on specific days, and the best inventory moves within hours of being put out. Find out when your local stores restock and be there early. Many experienced thrift shoppers know the restocking schedule of every store within driving distance and route their week accordingly.

Sale days can be useful but attract more competition. You'll often do better on a regular weekday unless you're there early enough to beat the crowd.

Know what you're looking for before you walk in

Unfocused thrift shopping is inefficient. Having a specific list of items you're actively hunting for helps you move faster and make better decisions. Build your list based on what you know sells well and what's currently trending. Check r/flipping and relevant Facebook groups regularly to understand what's moving and at what prices.

The Goodwill Outlet (the bins)

Goodwill Outlet stores — where you buy by weight — represent both the best and worst of thrift sourcing. The margins when you find something good are excellent. But the experience is physically demanding, competitive, and requires extensive knowledge to work efficiently. Go once on a weekday and observe how experienced shoppers work the bins before committing to it as a regular channel.