Vintage thrifting is more than a hobby for me.
My home is almost exclusively adorned with eclectic vintage items I found at thrift shops.
But I dont just thrift for my own home.
Sartoris scored this vintage Fenton glass candy dish for $3.99. Katie Sartoris/The Penny Hoarder
I also peruse the secondhand stores for deals that can make me money on the retail market.
I sold a big vintage school map for $100.
I picked it up for $8.
Its safe to say I know my way aroundthrift stores.
Want to hit the thrifts for vintage finds but dont know where to start?
Here are my top vintage thrifting tips to tell the difference.
Keep Your Purpose in Mind
Why are you thrifting?
Theres a big difference.
For instance, I recently found a vintage Fenton glass candy dish for $3.99.
It goes for about $15 online, but I bought it as a catch-all for my bedside table.
I wouldnt have bought it to flip because the margin just isnt there.
Its glass, so its heavier and Id have to spend extra for bubble wrap to ship it.
This way youre hitting as many as possible in the shortest amount of time.
As for where to find vintage items: Thrift stores rely on donations for their inventory.
That means that what they have for sale in-store is dependent on what folks donate.
That being said, some stores do have dedicated boutique areas, where they feature vintage and/or higher-end items.
(And their price tags usually reflect that.)
Antique stores are a good place to find vintage items, but again, youll likely pay more.
ID Your Find
I love a good deal, and thrift stores are full of them.
But sometimes, prices for secondhand goods especially vintage stuff are inflated.
This is where you should probably know your product.
An example: My aforementioned Fenton dish has a cursive Fenton stamp on the bottom.
Just snap a photo of your find and similar images come up.
Be Wary of Dupes
Depending on your purpose, this is a biggie.
It does matter, however, if youre reselling.
A knockoff wont be worth nearly as much as the real deal.
There are ways to ID real Murano Glass, and just about everything else.
Keep an Eye Out for Other Items You May Need
Im all about efficiency.
For instance, I found a nearly newBodum pour-over coffee makerfor $4.
(We have been known to break those.)
Ive also found extra plates and serving bowls that coordinate with my everyday dishes, at well under retail.
Evaluate Any Damage
Its a thrift store, after all.
Here are some ways to check for and evaluate damage of vintage items.
Packing tape can absolutely destroy a vintage item.
So now we have two.
(like be careful doing this you dont want to cut yourself.)
This works with other vintage glass things decorative bowls, vases, ashtrays and more.
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The most important thing to me is the condition of the actual record.
Check for warping and scratches.
verify the sleeve is in decent enough condition to hold your record.
If youre selling, though, things get more complicated.
Heresour guideto selling vinyl records.
This one can be a bit trickier.
Furniture repair can be super expensive.
And considering its typically a bigger investment, you want something thatll last.
Check a pieces joints for sturdiness.
Look for stains in the upholstery.
Evaluate the stain or veneer.
Its a good idea to check forbed bugsas well.
And take a whiff, too.
If its just musty, it may need a good airing-out and a few spritzes of Febreeze.
But some smells arent so easy to get out, like pet urine.
I carry around a small black light flashlight to ID stains.
(And uranium glass!
The real stuff glows under a black light.)
On a couch or chair, I typically do the tried-and-true butt test just sit on it.
Does it feel sturdy?
Do the cushions feel worn?
If there are imperfections, youre now faced with a choice: To fix or not to fix.
Depending on your skill set and resources, that is the question.
Ive walked away from many a vintage treasure after discovering irreparable damage.
Some stuff is fixable, though.
I should buy stock inBrasso, a metal-cleaning agent that comes in handy for my extensive brass collection.
It also works on copper, chrome, bronze, stainless steel, pewter and aluminum.
Found some glasses with water spots?
Some come out after a soak in hot water.
Denture cleaners do wonders on water spots.
I get those at The Dollar Tree, too.
you might often buff out scratches on dishes with aMr.
(The Dollar Tree knockoff is effective, too.)
Ive got a few bottles ofGorilla Wood Gluearound the house.
I use it mostly for furniture repair this stuff is strong.
Should You Haggle?
Many thrift stores are traditional retail establishments with set prices and dont allow haggling.
Some also have signs relaying their haggling policy.
If you dont know, its totally fine to ask if prices are negotiable.
But, like with all things, do it politely.
The same rule still applies, though: Be polite.
Register for Rewards and Plan for Discount Days
Many thrift stores have rewards programs.
Sign up for them.
One local thrift shop I frequent gives me $5 after Ive spent a cumulative $100.
All I had to do was give them my phone number.
Lots of places have senior- or student-discount days.
In my area, the Goodwills have a weekly tag color that indicates which items are half off.
Find Your People
My style is all over the place.
Im curating a tiki bar in my home.
I have a collection of creepy cat figurines and a China cabinet chock-full of midcentury cocktail glasses.
Im into sleek, tapered-legged furniture and loud printed throw pillows.
Ive found my people on social media, in groups focused on midcentury decor, tiki culture and maximalism.
I get inspiration, camaraderie and some help IDing items I may not know.
Finding these communities can be crucial for helping you find and understand the items youre into.
Is Your Paycheck Not Going As Far As It Used To?
We get it.Everythingis more expensive than it used to be, but your paycheck hasnt kept up.
When money is tight,these resourceswill help nearly everyone.
Katie Sartoris is the senior editor of freelance for The Penny Hoarder.
Shes an award-winning journalist with a decade of reporting and editing experience.
She formerly was a local news editor for a Gannett newspaper in Central Florida.
