Thrift or false: Debunking myths about thrifting
Have you made the new year’s resolution of living more sustainably and helping our planet? Have you decided that this will be the year where you would be more mindful of your expenses? What about making this year as the year where you tried something new?
Good news! If you’re looking to achieve one, two or all three of these goals, we think you’ll love thrifting!
What is thrifting?
Thrifting is the act of buying gently used items from second hand stores, often at discounted prices.
It’s a fun activity that allows you to save money, help our environment, and practice sustainable shopping habits since you are giving pre-loved items another chance to be used and loved again.
However, there are a series of thrifting myths floating around that may deter you from trying it out in the first place! In this article, we’ll tackle some of the most common misconceptions about thrifting and highlight its benefits that will prove why these myths aren’t true!
5 common myths about thrifting
Myth #1: “Thrifting is too much of a hassle.”
If you haven’t been to a thrift store recently, your brain might conjure up images of disorganized racks, items strewn about, and a space that looks like it was hit by a tornado. However, thrift stores nowadays have upped their organization game, resulting in a more efficient shopping experience.
Some thrift shops are solely dedicated to certain categories of items while those who choose to carry a wide variety usually segregate these by category and price point. Other thrift stores take it even further and meticulously separate items according to brand, fabric, or newness.
Myth #2: “Thrift stores are only for those buying clothes.”
While clothes and accessories are the most common items you will find in a thrift store here in the Philippines, this statement is far from the truth!
Both physical and online thrift stores alike can have a wide assortment of items ranging from apparel, furniture and home decor, office supplies, and even electronics. There are even shops dedicated to niche interests such as those who carry vintage cameras, restored and upholstered furniture, and rare pre-loved books.
Part of the joy of thrifting is stumbling across unique finds! With a little bit of patience, you’ll surely discover a treasure that you probably didn’t even know thrift stores had!
Myth #3: “Thrift stores don't have high end or brand new items."
Oh, trust us, you’d be surprised!
When individuals make an impulse purchase and realize that they don’t really like what they’ve bought, sure they might give it to friends or family, but a good portion of those brand new items are possibly donated to thrift stores.
Similarly, a lot of pre-loved designer and branded goods can end up in thrift and consignment shops. What’s great about these places is they also evaluate the quality and authenticity of the items, ensuring that buyers only get the best. Some stores will even go as far as repairing and restoring higher-end products, returning them to a “good as new” state.
Myth #4: “Items at thrift stores are outdated.”
Thrift stores are always welcoming new inbound items whether it’s from donations, a series of overruns, or excess stocks of their partners. While there are certainly dated or vintage products at thrift shops, you can count on an equal amount of items that are currently in style and might even be brand new.
If you’re struggling to find a particular style or model of a product, take a deep breath, roll up your sleeves, and have a little patience as you dig deep and sift through the store’s selection. You might just find the particular item you’re looking for or perhaps discover something you didn’t even know you needed.
Myth #5: “You can’t trust thrifted items. You don’t know where they came from.”
Thrift stores get their supply from different sources. While a good portion of their inventory may be from personal donations of individuals, a lot of second hand shops most likely partner with a network of credible suppliers, companies or organizations.
In addition, it’s common practice for employees of thrift stores to sift through and organize their items before putting them on display. This ensures that their items for sale are presentable, usable, and of course, clean and sanitary.
The wonderful world of thrifting
Thrifting is a great way for mindful consumers like you to explore a variety of one-of-a-kind items you may not encounter at other stores.
It’s also one of the best activities you can do if you want to live a more sustainable lifestyle. When you buy from thrift shops, you’re giving their items a second chance and saving them from ending up as waste in landfills. Thrifted goods also don’t use up any additional and unnecessary resources in comparison to clothes from the fast fashion industry or other items made under unethical working conditions.
Overall, thrifted purchases are decisions that you, your wallet, and our planet can feel good about.
Aside from the individual benefits of thrifting, it’s also beneficial to members of the community through the provision of employment and promotion of local entrepreneurship.
Setting up a thrift store requires a minimal amount of capital and second hand items are easily purchasable in bulk and with wholesale prices – all attractive features that make for a viable business.
Speaking of business, companies can also benefit from thrifting especially small to medium-sized enterprises whose limited budget prevents them from buying brand new tools, machinery and equipment.
If you want to learn more about the wonderful benefits of thrifting, check out our blog post: Thrifting in the Philippines: Part 1!
Introducing Thrift by Humble: A thrift shop at your fingertips
All the wonderful benefits consumers, organizations, and the environment can reap from thrifting are what fueled us to launch Thrift by Humble.
Thrift by Humble is a digital thrift shop that offers you high quality and brand new products, low prices, and the same wide variety of items as your local thrift store. The difference? Shopping from Thrift doesn’t require you to leave the comfort of your own home! All the items we carry have been quality checked, guaranteed to be authentic, and covered by our unique return and refund policies.
Learn more about Thrift in our blog 15 things you need to know about Thrift by Humble or check out our Lazada and Shopee stores where we upload new products weekly!
Happy thrifting!
