Club Chronicles: Try thrift store treasure hunting
Columnists, Opinion
 By  Staff Reports Published 
1:42 pm Thursday, July 1, 2021

Club Chronicles: Try thrift store treasure hunting

Thrift stores offer a triple-win: Shoppers can find unique items – such as clothing, shoes, furniture and décor – and score those items at reduced prices, plus people who donate unwanted or unneeded items may be able to get a tax deduction before the year ends, if that store supports a charity.

Treasure hunting captures the imagination of the young and old. Most treasure hunters scour the shelves and stalls of local thrift stores and flea markets in search of attaining the fame and fortune attached to the finding of something of high value at little cost.

You often see these treasure hunters on popular television shows, such as Antiques Roadshow and Flea Market finds.

For example, an antique dealer discovered a painting in a thrift shop in Anderson, S.C. He was drawn to it because of the pricey-looking frame. So, he paid $3 and went home – and later discovered the picture was from 1650 and extremely valuable. It was auctioned off for $190,000.

There are plenty of thrift stores, antique malls and flea markets in our area for people to spend countless hours looking for fabulous finds. Treasure hunting may even become a hobby or a business for people who spend weekends or vacations shopping. Part of the adventure is never knowing what you might find.

However, before you start your hunting expedition, you need to make a plan.

1. Take your time. If you’re willing to put in the time and visit the same shop casually but regularly, your purchases will add up to a collected home that you love and fits your budget.

2. Check the store’s schedule. Ask the store owner if there is a day of the week when sales are held or a day of the week when new donations are rotated in. Mondays and Tuesdays are good times to shop, after yard sale leftovers are brought in on the weekend.

3. Buy within your ability to fix. A low price tag on a piece of furniture might seem tempting, but consider the feasibility of rehabbing the piece before you buy it.

4. Look for bulk pricing. When it comes time to clear shelf space, thrift stores often offer bulk pricing, such as 10 cents apiece for all dishes or cups.

5. Be discerning. Don’t buy things simply because they’re bargains.

6. Carry a measuring tape.  This tool helps to determine whether a larger item will fit in your house – or car – before you buy.

7. Bring cash. Not all thrift stores accept credit cards, so make a quick stop at an ATM before shopping.

8. Don’t haggle. Thrift stores often send proceeds to charities, so haggling down prices is frowned upon. The only exception might be if you are buying multiple items, especially whose purchase would clear out space in the shop.

9. Visit stores in new places. Check out shops in other towns, especially when on vacation, to see new selections – plus, whatever you pick up can double as a souvenir.

Also on Franklin County Times
Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 16, 2025
You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
Lifestyles, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
European travel builds bonds across cultures
Lifestyles, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
King becomes elementary curriculum director
Lifestyles, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELVILLE — Molly King says every child can learn, though not necessarily in the same way or on the same day — a belief she plans to carry into her ...
New Junior Leaders begin their training
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Forty-two high school students from across Franklin County are beginning 10 months of hands-on leadership training and community ser...
Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
R U S S E L LV I L L E – Jason Gist leaned against the wall of his home with a look of disgust while dozens of firefighters worked to extinguish a fir...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Stories
July 4, 2025Augusto Simon Diaz, 42, of Russellville, passed away July 4. Visitation and funeral were held at Spry Memorial Chapel on July 12 from 2pm ...
July 16, 2025
July 8, 2025Jamie Kerby Cummings, 41, of Russellville, passed away on July 8. Visitation took place July 13, at Spry Memorial Chapel from 1 pm to 3pm....
July 16, 2025
July 11,2025Julie “JuJu” Welch Black, 63, of Russellville, passed away on July 11.Graveside service was held at 1pm on July 13, at Belgreen Cemetery w...
July 16, 2025
July 9, 2025Scott Noel Benford, age 58, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on July 9. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville on July 1...
July 16, 2025