Citizen Journal: Junkin’ for cheap stuff gives helping hand

I am fast becoming an addict. I guess I’ve always had the inclination for “junkin’ ” as my neighbor from Texas calls scouting out all local thrift stores, but now that I’m retired and can work a couple of days a week at our local animal shelter thrift store, I have completely succumbed to the good hunt. I’ve also noticed I’m far from alone in this quiet compulsion.

Many people, most of whom would dare not admit it, love the bargains and the fun of junkin’ every bit as much as I do. People, whom you would never suspect stepping foot in a thrift shop, are lurking behind and around the mounds of clothes and accessories scattered about the stores. We are a growing cult whose mission is to find the perfectly priced parcel.

There are no rules to being a good junker which, of course, makes it way more delectable. You are on your own. But, knowing the stores in your area that either consign or are all-out thrift stores is essential. Picking stores in more upscale neighborhoods will be the dumping grounds for better quality stuff. I’m always floored to find brand new North Face outerwear, Born and Clarks shoes hardly worn, Michael Kors and Coach purses with only a few blemishes, and newer dresses and accessories by many other name brands.

Many local thrift stores are nonprofits that funnel most of their earnings to area shelters for the homeless, disabled veterans or animal shelters for abandoned and orphaned dogs and cats. They also contribute to other necessary community projects. Shopping at these stores helps everyone.

Giving a few hours per week of your time or working a couple of days a week at a thrift store will open your eyes to the generosity of people, as well as, the over consumption of which our society is so guilty. Unless you are a total snob, junkin’ is great fun.

Once you find the thrift stores in your area that you enjoy visiting, it’s fun to frequent them to become familiar with the layout and the merchandise. Some are more organized than others and some smell better, but they all do their best with what they’re given.

Take your time when you’re looking. Soon enough you will start to instinctively know how to browse through the racks to find that perfect top.

As an example, I wanted a lightweight summer dress last year. I checked out the local thrift spots but found nothing. Of course, I got impatient, and bought a dress, on sale, at a “real store.” The very next day I found almost the exact same dress in a shelter’s store. In fact, I like it better. I wear it all the time, and the one I bought on sale is still in my closet.

I have too many clothes now. I’m not one of those people who has a huge walk-in closet stuffed full of the latest fashions, and I certainly am not a shoe person but not being able to resist some of the deals out there is certainly causing quite a renaissance in our wardrobe. I think my husband has made out almost better than I have. I have often found really nice men’s jackets. I bought a beautiful genuine leather jacket, made in Italy, for Tom for the exorbitant price of $7.99.

We live in a very remote location outside of Sandpoint, so we don’t get to town all that often. We don’t require fancy clothing but we do need warm and practical things. This winter I’ve been nice and cozy in my newly bought L.L.Bean long undies, my lovely black Uggs, Head mittens and gorgeous warm coat. I’m one of the best-dressed people in town, and no one has a clue that I probably spent less than $35 on clothing that probably cost a few hundred dollars brand new.

Clothing, of course, is not the only thing in a thrift store. Kitchen items, crafts, housewares, accessories, sporting equipment, toys, personal hygiene items and pet items are just a few of the other items you’ll find.

A very odd thing I noticed working at the thrift store is that people will throw out the same things on the same week. We will get five bread machines in one week. Sometimes it’s sets of dishes, or everyone is tossing out their old vacuum cleaners and clocks.

Every once in a while a genuine antique or collectible will get put through and you can bet those antique dealers are right on it. There is nothing much we can do about those. We have to put a low price on them and send them through but we do our best to be fair. Lovely old baskets go through, as well as those items no one has any clue about. Once we got a sweater with two arms and no hole for a head. We still don’t know what it is. Speculation abounds that it’s not from this world or that what wore it wasn’t.

Enjoy the hunt, save some money buying the very thing you needed and those things you never knew you did, while helping those who may need a leg up in your community. Who knows, maybe you’ll join the ranks of those junkin’ fools, too.