Fighting is a strong word, but when you’re out for the kill perfect thrifted piece some people are willing to hit well below the belt.
Today I’ll explain the serious thrift shopper fighting techniques I’ve learned through personal experience.
You will see that thrift store shopping is a serious business.
Get your fighting gloves on.
6 Serious Thrift Shopper Fighting Techniques
1. The Snatch & Grab
This happens when you are looking through a double rack of clothing and the person on the other side of the rack pokes their arm through and snatches something from your side just as you are about to take it. Not cool, lady that did this to me at the last 50% off Salvation Army sale. I wasn’t going to argue with her about it though since she stood about three inches above me and weighed about seventy pounds more. You can see a reenactment of this technique in the little funny video Melanie, Sue and I created.
2. The Fitting Room Hover
These are the people loitering by the change rooms in hopes that something sweet is going to be discarded. Not a real nuisance, but it can make navigating the fitting room area a challenge. These people are not to be confused with the fitting room butt-in person who is just damn annoying. Get to the back of the line and wait like the rest of us!
3. The Push & Stand
While I’m trying to go through the racks of clothing in an organized polite manner someone on either side of me is pushing all of the clothing towards me so they can see the items better as the racks are usually jammed with clothing, which of course makes it impossible for me to see anything. They don’t move. They just stand and push. There needs to be some kind of thrifting etiquette established so we are all moving in the same direction, the operative word being, “moving” and not pushing.
4. The Hanger Elbow
This happens normally on sale days when the place is super crowded and there aren’t enough carts. People wind up walking around with loads of clothes in their arms with the hangers sticking out in every direction to stab or “hook” you as you walk by or get too close. One woman kept jabbing me with her hangers while she was trying to do the Push & Stand. I finally had to say something.
5. Possession Is Nine Tenths of the Law Everything
Possession in thrifting is everything. If it isn’t in your arms, cart or basket it is fair game. Don’t make the rookie mistake I did thinking, “My arms are too tired, I’ll pick it up in a second.” Meanwhile the woman pushing her cart beside me picked it up in a nanosecond and popped it in her cart. You snooze, you lose baby.
6. Cart Wars
On certain sale days it is impossible to get a cart. Sometimes you have to leave your name at the door on a waiting list. I have a love/hate relationship with carts and thrift store shopping. When the store isn’t busy they are a blessing, saving my arms. When the store is busy they are a huge hindernace for quick movement within the store. Also, people get ram-happy with their carts. I often “park” my cart at the end of the aisle so I can move freely. Beware though, I have seen people snatch items out of other people’s carts before. (And you thought Canadians were polite!) Try to keep an eye on your cart at all times.
These thrift store fighting moves are most often utilized on sale days when the stores are extra busy and the atmosphere is competitive.
Most often the people I come across while thrifting are friendly and polite.
Estate sales…now that is a whole other story!
I wrote a bit about a bad experience we had here. They are fierce, exciting and extremely competitive.
The last estate sale I was at I picked up some seriously amazing handmade vintage dresses.
At this sale there was another buyer there using a common estate sale fighting move, The Stand and Block. This happens when you can see something you want and there is a person blocking you from getting it. This same vintage collector has used this technique against me in the past. She headed straight up the stairs and then proceeded to stand in front of the only closet blocking anyone else from viewing. She is a bigger woman and used this strategy on me before with her two kids and husband. I have no idea what she scooped up before I was finally able to see inside the closet.
Here are four of the dresses I managed to acquire at that sale despite the Stand and Block…
Handmade Early 1970’s Vintage Maxi Dress For Sale, Size Small
1960’s Handmade Floral Patterned Dress For Sale Size S-M
1950’s Handmade Gold Yellow Patterned Dress For Sale
1940’s Handmade Blue Velvet Vintage Wedding Gown For Sale Size XS or S
These dresses demonstrate beautifully the reason I love shopping thrift or estate sales despite the challenges.
You never know what you will discover.
Do you have any additional thrift shopping fighting moves to share?
Linking up with Visible Monday, I Will Wear What I Like, Shoe and Tell, Turning Heads Tuesdays, My Whims Wednesday, What I Wore, Fun Fashion Fridays, Hat Attack
You advice is always the best! There’s not much fighting in our small city thrifts but I use these techniques in NYC. And your new dresses – fantastic! xox
Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Sadly I’ve seen (and been victim of) some of these behaviors. Plain rudeness. It startles and saddens me to see people act impolite. On a positive note, love the dresses — so pretty.
Secondhand shopping sounds positively lethal in your neck of the woods.
We have jumble sales where intimidation tactics are often used – “that won’t fit you, you’re too thin” and I’ve even been punched in the face for daring to get to a pair of shoes someone claimed to see first. I don’t tend to go to many these days as they’re full of Primark crap.
Those dresses are fabulous, I love the print on the pink maxi, I’d be tempted to refashion it into a skirt – hence why I’ll never make my fortune selling vintage clothes, I keep stealing the stock! xxx
Those intimidation tactics are crazy! I’d tell whomever to piss off! LOL
And getting punched in the face? Totally NOT worth it. Plus I’d be pressing charges.
That is what I love about estate sales. Mostly it is treasured clothing they have kept through the years.
I debated hard about keeping this maxi. I love all the pieces I picked up from this sale.
Secondhand shopping can be lethal. I’ve been punched in the face on at least one occasion. Most of the time though, as I live in a deeply unfashionable area, I’m doing the shops a favour for buying all the weird shit!
Love those dresses. the print on that pink one is fabulous. xxx
Hahahahaha! I’m going to say that the next time I go into a shop. I’m doing them a favour : P I’m taking the weird shit off their hands. LOVE it!
I’m going to fly up to Toronto to go with you for my first thrift shop outings. I had no idea how competitive it was! I think I need a little training first! You could start your own thrift-shopping gym and train the likes of us lightweights how to get the job done. Sort of Rocky-goes-shopping.
Your finds at the estate sale — wowsa!! And not just that, but how you pair things up–like the medallion maxi with the blue boots! It looks *so* *chic*!
As you contemplate your thrift-boxing…er…shopping classes, add “pairing cool items with other cool items” to the syllabus. You have a knack for this that I would love to learn from. Like, how you see that yellow dress and just know cheetah-print shoes will look amazing with them.
So cool….
– Sherry
http://www.petiteover40.com
You MUST come up and I’ll put you in intensive training : ) You will get the estate sale shopper’s high. I *think* I’m addicted. I’m sure I could convert you.
You have some pretty cool pairings of your own lady.
Whoa – hold everything! – those dresses are SPECTACULAR! Seriously, your opening photo is jaw-dropping. I would have liked to see you and Vix wrangle for it, well, and me too! That’s a whole different kind of training. A face mask with a biohazard symbol printed on the front of it is a good technique for maintaining your personal space – although I’ve never tried it, I’ve been tempted. Excellent tips, Suzanne. You’re a pro.
I WANT that face mask! LOL It might take more than that to deter these hard core estate sale junkies though.
I could just go in wearing a full on Trump mask. That might work!
Great finds! And I love giving names to some of those thrift store maneuvers! (Unsure of how well I’d handle a snatch and grab, but I’ve experienced most of these behaviors.) I live in Florida, where it’s hard to predict the slow times, since there are so many retirees (like Patti) out shopping. 🙂 I’ll avoid a busy aisle if I have to; there’s always another place to look.
I also try to avoid busy aisles but when I get in a thrift store I’m pretty determined to make sure I check through every rack, so I’ll wait and come back. Yeah…I’m obsessed. I’ll admit it.
I keep thinking that Chanel piece is in the spot that I haven’t looked yet.
That green dress is so fun! All of the thrift stores I used to shop at mostly seemed completely deserted. I have very fond memories of crazy Black Friday shopping techniques, however…
Oh yeah. Black Friday. Nope. Not for me. Even with all my thrifting moves : )
You always look so gorgeous…you were seriously born to wear vintage. And the best part? While you may look like a lady you have mad Ninja fighting skills and that makes you even hotter!
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
Well I think both you and I have a bit of fire in our bellies, determined and a bit stubborn ; )
I loved that video you all made. It was funnnnnnnnn. That blue velvet dress is the bee knees!
We had such a blast making that video. Sue and Melanie are the BEST.
The use of small supermarket type baskets has been recently introduced to some charity shops here – the idea of using carts/trollies is hilarious! Some of our charity shops are so small it’s like being in someone’s living room! One day perhaps we’ll reach the size of yours…
I’m ashamed to admit I’ve followed people around the shop hoping they will discard the item they managed to grab before me!
The dresses you bought from the estate sale are fabulous. I loved the yellow print dress and as for the blue velvet wedding dress – I’d consider getting married again for the chance to wear that. (Luckily that will never happen I’m not a small or an extra small!)
Enjoy your weekend
Veronica
vronni60s.blogspot.com
I’ve also done the hover, but in a regular retail store. I managed to get the item I was coveting too. My patience paid out.
I wrote about my “Big Girl Handbag” story here http://suzannecarillo.com/big-girl-handbag/
Fab dresses first of all, particularly the gold one. Am on a clamp down currently on all spending otherwise…
Am truly grateful for all the tips and think I have to agree that a training course would be ideal to set us up for the fray. I’m always so surprised at some of the sneaky tricks people can use – small children and dogs have been used as a diversion in my experience – shocking! (Have you tried that? I would, only I don’t have any of either to hand)
Have a fab weekend x
Anna
Oooh diversions! Nope…never had that experience. But it would be a reason to bring my pug to the sale, although I fear she would be trampled.
Oh wow, Suzanne! Before I consider shopping at the Salvos in your neck of the woods – and, it seems, many other places, I’ll need to do a course with you! Seminars! Perhaps you could run seminars for the uninitiated!!
I have only had one instance and that was at our Bello Market when I snared my gorgeous denim jacket (which I’ve shared on Instagram recently). Another woman had been admiring it, discarded it on the pile and I picked it up – it definitely “had my name on it”. After wandering around the stall for a few minutes she was none too pleased that I was about to pay for it -and $5 less than she was told when she asked! So yes, Possession IS Everything!!
The pink maxi dress is amazing, you look gorgeous in it.
xx
Ha ha! Good for you : )
It sounds like a boxing match, Suzanne!! Do you ever come home with bruises??
You have such an eye for interesting pieces!!
I probably have done a few of these moves in the past, although I think I’m at the point where I figure if someone else wants it that bad, then they should have it.
I do love how you paired your blue velvet booties with that maxi—just amazing!
jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
Some of the estate sales can get rather tight and I’ve been pushed for sure. I’m claustrophobic so those small houses with loads of people squished together like sardines are a nightmare.
I don’t like those sales and often will leave early.
Great finds Suzanne! Love the print dress and that maxi you opened with! The velvet is stunning, too.
The video is hysterical and really well done! Pulling an Christmas tree out of a mink coat is a very cool trick!
Since i am a late riser I never get into any problems; serious shoppers are there first thing, and that is where the tension is..and the thrift stores I shop at get donations, in daily so there is always something.
XX, Elle ( cowering in NYC)
http://www.theellediaries.com/blog/
Too true. I’ve gone to sales near the end to pick up larger pieces I’d already bought and there were just the dregs left over.
You did so well!! I would love to go with you to estate sales. They don’t have them here. Pity.
And you gave me a good laugh with these stories. I can just hear you haha.
Greetje
I think you’d love an estate sale. When you come for a visit we’ll fit one in okay?
How would a bogger meet in Toronto be?? ???. By the way: are you going to LA? To spygirl?
Oh my, I don’t think we have that sort of situations in Dutch thrift stores. ( in other situations we DO) Because I Always see you wear these stunning items I decided to shop in a thrift store the next time I am in the UK. The Dutch stores don’t appeale to me. I already know which shop it’s going to be!
Oooh! I’m excited for you. You must let me know how you find it and if you discover any treasures.
Hahaha, dear Suzanne, I had to laugh! Not only about thrifting, but it also happens on normal days – I mean, not only sales – and I have seen the Fitting Room Hover situation, but I must confess that I was already the one with the elbow hanger 🙂 It happens… OK, though not so drastic, but once in a while I have done that, maybe 3 times in my life? Anyway, the tips are great and the dresses you got amazing! My favorites are the wedding blue velvet gown – I loooooved that! And the first one with the fuchsia mandala panels! Fantastic and you look amazing! Hope you have a lovely week! Bisous, hugs!
DenisesPlanet.com
Yes, I’m very sad that the blue velvet gown doesn’t fit me.
I know what it means, I have seen on your shop the black velvet gown with embroidery and I was eager to buy it, but it won’t fit me 🙁 I tell you, I got very sad, cause I loved it!
You are SO. SPOT. ON. with the perils of thrift and Estate shopping! Those dresses you scored…BREATHTAKING!!!
I love Sherry’s idea of “Thrift-boxing” as a training/workout class. Then we could all go out thrift shopping afterwards and test our skills. I haven’t had any real conflicts with other shoppers when I’ve been thrifting, but I have had unpleasant experiences at Auctions, which is why I gave up on them – I take losing out on something I wanted waaaay too personally.
The black and pink dress really is gorgeous, and the gold print one looks smashing with your hair.
I’ve never noticed these techniques in our local thrift stores – but maybe I’m just oblivious – and missing out on some good items :)! Love the dresses – the colors are so beautiful!
Your dreams most definitely do not exceed your grasp Suzanne!
Your fellow thrifters are pitifully ignorant of the sartorial commando in their midst. Your professionality demands a keen sense of “reasonable” decorum until another treasure hunter breaks rule and rank. Your alpha thrifter status can’t be denied or restrained.
Your talents are enviable Suzanne. The evidence is overwhelmingly clear. Without your thrifter influencer role, Toronto would succumb to vintage shopping anarchy.
Ha ha! Yep…gotta keep everyone in line ; P You could come with me Jude and be my enforcer!