I’m only a few shelves away from having all of the books I need! It’s really hard to believe, yet also crazy to think how much time I’ve spent on this. It hasn’t been as expensive as I had thought it might be, but it also hasn’t been as easy. A few years ago I would have gone straight to Red Racks and bought loads of their books for a quick fill, but that just wasn’t an option this go around. You want to know why?
Because my local Red Racks now charges $4.98 for a hardback book. $4.98?!? At a store that got that Danielle Steele book that everyone and their uncle ok, maybe aunt has for free. Just a few years ago those same books would have been $1.99 (and quite often 50% off of that) but thanks to thrifting loosing it’s stigma everyone is darkening the doors, and these stores are getting corporate and seeing dollar signs.
Thrift stores used to be a place I would go when I didn’t have much money to spend. There’s no guarantee of finding anything good, but the time was worth the investment if you came across something of value because you knew you were getting a great deal. But when you search and search and find some nice drinking glasses that cost more than buying a set new, you start to question the use of your time. So, I’ve been getting my secondhand fixes in other ways. Estate sales are still on my list for 2016, and Craigslist will always be a favorite for larger items.
For these books I found quite a few at estate sales and the rest through stretching my thrift store boundaries. A reader mentioned that a locally owned thrift shop a bit outside my usual stomping grounds had a large selection of books. I had been there before, but didn’t frequent it. It was walking in that I realized why I had never really looked through their books: they had too many to spend time on in my pit stops between errands! Aisles of books for 50 cents a piece, displays of glassware for 25 cents to $1, furniture for $15-30 and almost always half off. THIS is what thrifting is supposed to look like.
I’ve been back three times, and every time I learn something else about the place that makes me want to keep coming back. They really are a true charity shop, started as a clothing drive that grew into a store offering prices almost anyone can afford (all clothing is $1.98) and vouchers for those who can’t. In need of diapers? They’ve got a pantry. Need some food? There’s a pantry for that too. It’s simple and humble and filled with people trying to be a light in the dark.
I love knowing I’m putting my dollars into a place that’s directly impacting our community…not some C.E.O.’s pocketbook. It’s a bit out of the way, but I plan to take our no-longer-needed items to Frugal’s from now on and will definitely shop there first. If you’re in Kansas City, I recommend checking out Frugal’s Family Thrift Store in Independence. As a thrifter, it’s a really refreshing experience.
What’s your take on thrift stores? Please tell me I’m not the only one who feels this way. Do you have some gems you frequent?
Whitney Shortt says
Those shelves look gorgeous and your styling of them is just right on,
Cait Fore says
Omg I totally feel you on this. I too LOVE a great estate sale! I love the Goodwill on 135th in OP and the Salvation Army on Metcalf. Glad to see you're filing up those gorgeous bookcases the right way! Xo
Betsy Cobb Gordon says
Gwen, your library is coming along reallynicely. It looks wonderful with all your fabulous books!! Congrats!
I'm outside Atlanta, Ga and I tend to frequent the St. Vincent De Paul thrift stores here. Their prices are really good , selection is always different each time I go and I know the money is going to a great cause. There's a few others I go to and they are the smaller thrift stores, not big ones goodwill and salvation army.
Can't wait to see what's next for the library! You've really transformed it to something spectacular.
Betsy Gordon
West of the Square Designs
EGolden says
Garage saling is lots of fun and a cheap morning experience. Most libraries have a book sale a couple times a year of donated and worn library books. At the end of the sale you can fill a bag for a nominal fee. Most Goodwill's sell their hardbacks for around $1.99 depending on which state you live in.
I have been thrifting, yard saling, auctioning since I was four. My mother and grandmother took me with them all the time. I started collecting things at 5. Over the years the collections have changed as I have grown and changed. It takes time to truly put together something you love. I am sure through the years you will find other books to replace some of the books you have found. First editions. Leather tooled with marbled papers. Classics. A Nancy Drew or two. That will make your room a little warmer, a little more you. Rome was not built in a day. You have the bones. Fluffing the nest is next.
I understand your frustration over the price differences. Remember everyone is out to make a buck, get a deal. Set your price in your head, don't go over it. You might find it somewhere else for less. Is it a heart stopper you have to have it? Most people are able to deal a little on price. Most of all just have fun with it.
I do enjoy your sharing and pictures of your home. I can tell you put a lot of thought and love into it. Thanks for sharing with all of us.
EGolden says
Garage saling is lots of fun and a cheap morning experience. Most libraries have a book sale a couple times a year of donated and worn library books. At the end of the sale you can fill a bag for a nominal fee. Most Goodwill's sell their hardbacks for around $1.99 depending on which state you live in.
I have been thrifting, yard saling, auctioning since I was four. My mother and grandmother took me with them all the time. I started collecting things at 5. Over the years the collections have changed as I have grown and changed. It takes time to truly put together something you love. I am sure through the years you will find other books to replace some of the books you have found. First editions. Leather tooled with marbled papers. Classics. A Nancy Drew or two. That will make your room a little warmer, a little more you. Rome was not built in a day. You have the bones. Fluffing the nest is next.
I understand your frustration over the price differences. Remember everyone is out to make a buck, get a deal. Set your price in your head, don't go over it. You might find it somewhere else for less. Is it a heart stopper you have to have it? Most people are able to deal a little on price. Most of all just have fun with it.
I do enjoy your sharing and pictures of your home. I can tell you put a lot of thought and love into it. Thanks for sharing with all of us.
Sarah Rojas says
I'll never forget the (pregnant) rage I had directed towards Goodwill the time that I found a maternity dress with Target tags still on it that indicated it had been clearanced for $2 cheaper before it made it's way to Goodwill's $9.99 rack…
But I hear you, even though I live in a small town, and all the thrift stores I frequent are run by charitable organizations, there still is frequent price gauging. Apparently they are looking up comparables online and pricing according to the highest value. You would think that the orange and brown pastoral scene sofa was all the rage with a $120 price tag…
Jennifer@The Chronicles of Home says
The built-ins are looking so great! I actually don't think there is a single truly good thrift store near me. Lots of consignment shops that are overpriced but no really great authentic thrift stores.
Julianne Chavis says
The bookshelves look great. You should try Everything but the House (EBTH). I only do local because the shipping would get out of control but they have good stuff. Some stuff is super expensive and collectors snatch those up but I have gotten 2 pictures and two brass sconces for a $1 (25 cents each!!) and a solid wood table for my living for $15. I still want to do a real life auction (I don't know why it intimidates me so much) but I will settle for the online bidding at EBTH for now. I live in the Washington DC area and the thrift shops are super expensive and the collectors take anything of value from them and the auctions and mark it up drastically for their antique shops and showrooms.
Julianne Chavis says
* living room
Libbi Vynalek says
I am LOVING this project – and has me feeling so inspired! My apartment has built-in bookshelves on either side of the fireplace, and I'm wanting to thrift my way through the city and find all kinds of gems so it will look like yours! Can't wait to see the final reveal!
Anita says
In the past I would go to all of the thrift stores in town aprox. once per week. Since the prices have gone crazy I rarely stop at a thrift store. I don't need to go home and spend 30 minutes cleaning the pc. (including crevices with a Q-tip), fixing it, touching up the nicks and scratches,taking the chance I might wreck it in the process for almost as much money as a brand new item or even MORE money than a brand new item. It's not worth it. Like you said, thrift stores have competition now with Craigslist and local buy and sell groups. If I do go to a thrift store I go to one that TRULY helps the community….one where the majority of the money goes to help the less fortunate. That is also where I donate my items. I think the strangest thing I ever saw was a thrift store that gave like 1 percentage point to a charity, had all their stock donated for free, the parking lot was always full of customers and the store went out of business! How does that happen? How bad of a business person do you have to be for that to happen? lol
Anita says
Goodwill: I found a blouse that I liked at Goodwill which had a tear in a seam. They wanted like $6.99 for it. I asked an employee if I could get a discount because it would have to be sewn up and nobody would probably buy it because of that and he said no, they never lower the price and if it doesn't sell they bail it along with all the other clothes that don't sell and sell the bails for a pittance.
Lesley T says
THIS THIS THIS! Could not agree more. Here in Birmingham, AL I'm finding the same price increases. $10 for a pair of used pants. Are you kidding me? I miss St Vincent de Paul shops in Atlanta, they were just trying to move merchandise to fund their services for the poor.
Amanda @ Warm Fuzzy Home says
You are spot on!! I've had a lot of conversations here in Dayton, Ohio about how the thrift stores (goodwill specifically) is 100% more expensive than a few years ago. My Mom is our family's custom picture framer, and she always bought frames at goodwill, and now she can hardly find a nice wood frame for less than $15-20, which is crazytown because you can do that at a hobby store with a coupon. I'm not sure what is going on because for me as a DIY person, it's super frustrating, but for somebody who is thrifting because they can't afford to buy new, how disheartening it must be. I do love auctions and my hubs and I have gotten some furniture at great prices there, but auctions also attract the ebay-sellers and antique-shop owners who will buy up a ton of stuff for resale. But anyways, those bookshelves are PHENOMENAL and I can't wait until I have a house where we can build something like that:)
Caroline L. says
I thought because I lived in NY that it was just in this area that price gouging in Thrift Stores was happening. I swear sometimes I want to march to the manager and say, You do know this isn't Saks Fifth Avenue?! It seems anything in my local GoodWill that is a well known brand gets a price bump, regardless of condition. There's not much of a margin between a Thrift Store and a Home Goods anymore, too bad.
Kathleen C. says
I frequent two thrift stores locally, both for their decent prices and their charity support. One has great clothing selections and good furniture for okay prices (not great but at least the items are never damaged or dirty). The other is a real mixed bag…. I've found great stuff, but you have to go back frequently. But their prices are amazing ($1 every clothing item), and they support a local domestic crisis center. I always give them our cast offs as well.
I almost never go the Goodwill or the Salvation Army. Especially the SA store… outrageous high prices for barely okay furniture.
This Woman's Work says
thriftbooks.com is a great place to find used books too. I've actually found quite a few "newer" books on there for about $3 a piece, and shipping is free over like $10 or something like that.
Ordinette says
I liked this post and especially the social focus you put into your purchases! Great tip for everyone!
Kim Price says
I totally agree! The point of a thrift store is that people DONATE stuff for free so that it can be sold for VERY LITTLE. Honestly, people with limited incomes can hardly afford some thrift stores these days which is ridiculous!!!!!
Betsy says
I have been getting my books from the local library where there is a shelf of books donated for sale. $1.00 for hardcover and $.50 for soft cover. The Goodwill is charging to much for used items now. I have seen dollar store items for double there.
Estate sales are the best for me.
I love your book shelves and how you have the books arranged so nice.
Amy says
I used to haunt the Wornall road thrift stores weekly years ago. They had good stuff and it was cheap. Year after year their prices got higher and higher. So I started loving Catholic Chairities on 87th in Overland Park. And then, once again the prices became outrageous. So I just stopped thrifting altogether. I still walk into Savers now and again but I've come to realize like you that those good ol days are gone. I'll check out Frugals though for sure.
Linda K says
I’d like to know the color name of your book shelves. Your library is gorgeous.
themakerista@gmail.com says
Hi Linda! It’s Radicchio Leaf by HGTV Home by Sherwin Williams for Lowes. Thanks!