When you go into thrift stores, are you a browser or a hunter? I used to be a browser. I would maybe have a list of items I was seeking, sitting in the back of my mind. I’d go up and down aisles, just enjoying the day. Now, though….NOW, I am a hunter. I know what I want, what to look for, and where to go first.
On my list of things to really look for are the following: vintage mason jars, tourist tshirts for my boys, cameras and/or lenses, craft supplies (buttons, zippers, thread, embroidery hoops, YARN, etc.), vintage sheets & pillow cases, and now…train cases. I found a blue one the weekend before last and fell in love almost instantly. I didn’t care how much it was because it was in almost perfect condition. Lo’ and behold, the price was fabulous!
Fast forward to last Saturday and we visit a thrift store we haven’t really had much luck at in the past. I’ve found a few things now and again, but for the most part we always leave empty-handed. AND…the place is kinda messy. It’s by far the cheapest place, but you reaaally have to look to find stuff. Well, it was my lucky day because not only did I find a 3-pack of Polaroid 600 film (for 99 cents!), a Polaroid One-Step Land camera (50 cents!), and a Polatronic 2350 (which I have no use for), but I found another train case! It wasn’t priced, but the guy at the counter sold it to me for…wait for it……TWO BUCKS! A score, indeed.
A few hours later, when we visit yet another thrift store after dinner (there are like 7 thrift stores all within a 10 minute car ride from us), I find an off-white American Tourister Tiara sitting on a table with old VHS tapes and random junk. I immediately snag it up and put it in my basket. Hu-flippin’-‘ZAH!
So, the blue one is in the best condition. The green one is in the worst. By “worst,” I mean the outside is peeling off a tiny bit. There are a few flecks of wood showing through in the two spots it’s been peeled (~1″), so I could just continue peeling and then re-cover it. I’m waiting for the perfect wallpaper to fall in my lap. The inside of the white one smells like cosmetics. That’s better than cigarettes (as most of the vintage luggage I find does), so I’m not complaining!
What kind of thrifter are you? Anything you *MUST* look for when you’re at a store?
I’m definitely a browser. I used to be a hunter. Now Luke and I browse, and it’s just a fun activity.
But OH HOW I LOVE VINTAGE LUGGAGE.
it’s so pretty and textured. One of the train cases is already filled with craft junk. I figure it’s nicer to have it hidden in there than in some plastic bin.
I’m a browser when the kids are with me. They usually want to stay close to the toys. But when I go by myself I spend hours hunting & digging. Most of our thrift stores STINK though.
I always look through the kids clothes & toys then I look for kitchen stuff. Mostly cast iron skillets or fun coffee mugs. I have way too many..so many that I recently cleaned them out.
that sounds like me with glass [specifically various brands of mason] jars. I can see 14 from where I’m sitting. fourteen! 6 of them have buttons. 2 have thread. 1 has pom poms, 1 has yarn scraps, and the rest are empty.
I compulsively hunt for vintage frames to revamp. And mirrors. :)
so cool! I’ve been on the lookout for a frame large enough to transform into a bulletin board.
Hello! Stopping by from My Girl Thursday, those cases are fantastic! I’m more of a browser, I always check out the kitchen stuff, baby goods, blankets and sheets and ladies clothes if the kids aren’t freaking out yet!
Welcome! Hope you stick around. :)
And that is precisely the reason we do our major thrifting on the weekends–daddy is always with us (and on kid-duty)!
I am a hunter at the few thrift stores near us, if I happen to be in an unfamiliar one I am more of a browser. Though my husband always comes running to find me with something I may like!
Can we be mega nosy and ask how much the blue train case was?
I came from my girl tuesday!
Hi!
I think I’ve become a hunter because I have become so familiar with the stores. I do imagine if I’d go into a new one, I’d be more inclined to browse.
The blue case was a steal at under $4! The inside is pretty much perfect. It doesn’t even smell! The green one was $2, like I said, and the white was also around the $3.50 mark. Totallllll thrift scores!
I love looking for super cute skirts…. but those vintage suitcases are great!!
Okay … you got a deal, BUT … here’s mine! A 12 x 18 x 5 American Tourister Tiara in off white with the keys in MINT condition! Price: $.80 Yep,you read it right!
you win!