Thrifty is Nifty
29 Jan 2011
Secondhand shopping is a great pastime, if you crave thrills, deals and green deeds.
By Wendy Underhill When Shirley Jenkins stopped off at Boulders new Goodwill store, she thought shed pick up a few things to decorate her daughters dorm room. After two hours of scrutinizing the jam-packed shelves, Jenkins (not her real name) came away with some things for her daughter and a few finds for herself: a blue pitcher, a metal candlestick and a framed map.



Whichever secondhand shops you visit, keep these tips in mind:
Stores that sell used furnishings generally dont take returns, although stores may allow you to take things home on approval. Dont think of secondhand furniture as settling for second best, though. This is furniture that has stood the test of time, says Vicky Boone, owner of Serendipity Vintage, a Longmont consignment shop. Furniture from a few decades ago was built to higher construction standards than todays offerings, and is usually made of hardwood. If you know what to look for, you may easily get more than what you pay for. And if you shop carefully, $300 may get you an excellent sofa, whereas $300 at a retail furniture outlet wont buy you squat. Thats because thrift-store donations often come from middle- and upper-class households that can afford to toss out furnishings in pursuit of newer home trends. And to make things even more affordable, most thrift stores offer sale days with hugely discounted items. Boulders Savers, for example, offers seniors days, managers-special days, 99-cent days and other daily discounts. An $8 dish set is cheap, but when its $2, its even better.Visit Often, Be Wallet-Ready

LETS MAKE A DEAL


