Today I want to talk about a thrift shopping mindset and more in particular about thrifting remorse and thrifting regret. I’ve expressed before that it helps to be in the “mood” to thrift shop to have a successful and satisfying shopping experience. What does in the “mood” really mean and what are the full range of thrift shopping emotions? Let’s dive deeper and take a closer look.
Thrift shopping mainly consists of second hand shopping, whether at thrift stores, garage sales, flea markets, etc, where gently used items are sold at reasonable prices. The mentality for shopping these pieces is different than a normal retail experience since the items are preowned and used. Many thoughts and considerations goes into a thrift purchase, making it a more complex process than it would seem.
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The Thrift Shopping Mindset
For Your Consideration
The condition of the merchandise needs to be considered first since we are talking about buying used items. If the condition is acceptable, then the price point also determines if it’s a good or reasonable deal. Plus if you’re buying something you want in multiples like dishes, or napkins, or drinking glasses, the number of pieces comes into play. And the list goes on.
Consequently, our minds need to be prepared and ready, or let’s say in the “mood” in order to process all these thoughts. Sometimes I’m all about sifting through stacks and racks, while examining pieces for rips and cracks and more than normal wear & tear. And other times, I.am.simly.not.in.the.mood. What determines mood?
Mood Boosters
Mood sometimes is just not controllable, since we all have good days and bad days. But beyond that, the thrifting “mood” can be affected by the condition of the store, the selection of items, the prices, and … See what I mean? It’s the shopping experience the thrifting environment creates, which can put one in the mood. Remember thrift shopping requires patience and open mindedness.
Thrifting Pro Tip: Scan the store first to evaluate opportunities. The scan provides a feel for what’s available and it sets the tone for the thrifting experience. This can put you in the “mood” or not.
But it also includes the unexpected, which is why many enjoy the thrill of the hunt. The rush of adrenaline of finding something amazing or the surge of excitement when that long coveted item is discovered are all mood boosters. So sometimes when I am not feeling it at first, can easily be changed around by finding one surprising piece. I shared something about that here {thrifted goodies – insights & inspiration}. These mood boosting experiences promote the thrift shopping phenomenon and keep folks coming back for more.
Non Returnable can be a Deal Breaker
Quality and price also are considerations for regular retail shopping, but, and it’s a big but, thrifted pieces tend to not be returnable. Since the merchandise is not returnable. this is where buying remorse and buying regret come into play. There’s a fine differentiation between the two and both can leave uncomfortable feelings behind. Both are instant mood killers!
Although regret and remorse are used interchangeable and are considered synonyms, there is a fine line of distinction. Regret is a sense of loss, disappointment, or dissatisfaction; while remorse is a deep regret coming from a sense of guilt for past wrongs. Regret brings disappointment and remorse brings guilt. Let’s apply them to the thrift shopping mindset.
Thrift Shopping Regret
We’ve all been there. We leave something behind at a thrift for whatever reason. It was too expensive, we aren’t sure how we could use it or we simply weren’t in the “mood” that day. BUT then we get home and we cannot stop thinking about it, and we think about all the things we could do with it and instantly insert thrift shopping regret. Chances are it won’t be there next time we go to the thrift store since we’re mostly talking about one of a kind treasures. Thrifting regret is a thing, and it’s very real, and it’s totally disappointing!
Thrift Shopping Regret = Disappointment
BUT sometimes the thrifting Gods are in our favor. I had seen a little decor piece for $2, but since I wasn’t in the “mood” and I didn’t find anything else in the store that day, I decided to leave it behind. Two dollars people! But the thing is, it wasn’t about the price. It was about another “thing” in my house. I love thrifting, but I am very deliberate and conscious about what I bring into my home. I either love it or have a purpose for it or it matches something I already own. You get the idea.
Well, a few days later, I had lunch with Mr. M right next to the thrift so I popped in, and the little $2 swan was still there so she ended up coming home with me after all. AND I found the green bucket I’ve shared lately which was only $3 so it was a good regret story with a happy ending. So my recommendation for thrifting regret, if you are still thinking about it after the fact, swing by and check it out. You never know, it might still be there. If it’s not there, then it wasn’t meant to be for whatever reason, and there will be another treasure around the corner.
Thrift Shopping Remorse
Thrifting remorse in this case is the opposite, when you get home and instantly wish you had not bought whatever it might be. It can be right away or maybe a few days later or even months, but you realize it was not a smart purchase for you for whatever reason. Hopefully it was not an expensive mistake, and you can donate it back to the thrift or gift it to some one who might appreciate it. But the guilt is heavy and an uncomfortable feeling.
Thrift Shopping Remorse = Guilt
Part of the thrift shopping experience is weighing all the factors and determining if something should come home with us. The purpose for this is to avoid thrift shopping remorse. The feeling of guilt actually defeats the point of thrifting. Thrifting is all about being environmentally conscious and economically smart to yield extraordinary finds, and thrift shopping remorse defeats all of this. The silver piece below with the glass insert is one of those pieces I had high hopes for and I have never used it. I think I need to get creative or send it back to a thrift for someone else to enjoy.
How to avoid thrift shopping remorse? Create a check list of questions to hopefully prevent a remorseful purchase. How will I use it? How often will I use it? Where will I store it when not in use? How much does it cost? And so on. These questions should help you assess the purchase and prevent thrifting remorse. No plan is fool proof, and it will happen then and again. Just pay it forward and move on.
Thrifting Pro Tip: Make a list of items you would like to find while thrifting on your phone, and you will always have the list with you whenever you pop into a thrift. Update the list regularly as you find treasures and seek others. Have fun!
Thrift Shopping Trend
Thrift shopping has become a trend and consequently it has actually hiked up prices. Remember when thrifting was looked down upon? Well now it’s hip, and I wish it would go back to the days when it wasn’t all that. Unfortunately sometimes these prices don’t make sense. Another experience I had lately was leaving an item behind because I found it to be overpriced. This small concrete statuary piece was priced at $10 and although I liked it and it spoke to me, I wasn’t willing to pay the price.
Price Point Perspective
This experience caused thrift shopping regret without me even realizing it. Then next time I was in the same thrift store the piece was still there. It was still marked $10 so there it stayed. I figured everyone else thought it was overpriced too. Then, then…… I saw a styling online or catalog or something with a similar piece and all of a sudden I really wanted it. Yup, cue in thrifting regret.
So next time I was in the same store, the wonderful piece of statuary was still there. It was still priced at $10 and this time it came home with me. “What the market will bear”. I learned about this in business school and this is a perfect example. Now that I wanted the item the $10 price tag was not as offensive. I saw other similar new options which were priced higher, and this suddenly became a good value. Well, I still don’t believe it was a good value, but I was willing to spend the money.
Thrifting is a Thing
As I also mentioned in the last Thrifted Goodies post, the thrift trend has caused prices to spike. I attended an annual vintage sale at a local thrift shop and it was a crazy scene, unlike previous years. The prices were spicy to put it nicely but there were some treasures to be found. This was my haul from the sale and the little handkerchiefs were $3. Earlier in the year I had paid $8 each at a Junk Fair so this was a deal in my book.
You saw the swan planter in my Fall Styling the other day. I have plans for all the other pieces and you will be seeing them here first. Most pieces will be used in unexpected ways, which is part of the fun. Styling thrifted finds in unconventional ways is another layer to the thrift shopping mindset.
Closing Thoughts on the Thrift Shopping Mindset
There’s a lot to unpack here, and I shared more than I anticipated today. I hope some of it speaks to you or helps you navigate the highs and lows of thrift shopping. You are not alone, they are normal emotions and we all go through them.
Just remember to have an open mind, have fun and embrace the unexpected. If thrift shopping is not working for you, walk away. Thrift shopping should be rewarding, offering treasures and unpredictable surprises. There’s always the next thrift shopping adventure around the corner. See you next time friends.
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Industry, thrift and self-control are not sought because they create wealth, but because they create character.”
Calvin Coolidge