8 Thrifting Do’s and Don’ts for Secondhand Shopping Success

Thrifting 101: Essential Dos and Don’ts To Maximize Thrift Success

Let’s face it Bestie—Thrifting isn’t always as easy as it looks on Instagram. To truly succeed, you need more than just enthusiasm and wishful thinking—you need a plan.

Maybe you’ve dipped your toes into the world of thrifting—or maybe you just devoured Mastering the Bids: How to Navigate Goodwill Auctions Like a Pro and are feeling inspired to score some secondhand steals IRL.

But before you charge into the nearest thrift store and start tossing random stuff in your cart like it’s a game show, let’s have a little heart-to-heart.

Thrifting might be fun and full of surprises (hello, $5 vintage mirror of my dreams), but if you don’t have a game plan, it can also get overwhelming real fast.

That’s where this guide comes in. I’m walking you through 8 thrifting dos and don’ts every beginner needs to know—so you can shop smart, skip the regrets, and actually love what ends up coming home with you. Let’s do this.

1. Don’t: Thrift Cheap Items You Don’t Need

Sure, they're cute—but if you don’t actually want a porcelain prom date on your shelf, maybe let them waltz into someone else’s cart. Not every thrift find is a keeper, darling.

Thrifting is a lot like shopping the clearance rack—It’s full of stuff you probably don’t need.

But just like the clearance rack, it’s cheap, and who can resist a good deal? Especially in this economy!

Except thrifting is a revolving door of never-ending “good” deals. And if you don’t learn to resist the temptation early, you'll be headed straight for an episode of Hoarders.

While there might be a lot of hype around being the main character, I don’t think you’re trying to be the leading lady in that story.

So…heed my warning and don’t let yourself fall into the trap of thrifting things just because the price is right.

Trust me, I wholeheartedly understand the temptation you're about to face. I've been thrifting for years—practically my whole life (depending on how you look at it)—and I’ve got a pretty solid grip on my aesthetic. But that doesn’t stop the urge to buy Fenton pieces, swung vases, and brass candlesticks, even though I have zero intention of ever using them (or needing them, for that matter).

And sure, you could flip the stuff and make a quick buck—but will you? Be honest. Are you really going to deal with the hassle of listing it, packing it, shipping it, and answering a million questions… all for a few extra dollars? Probably not.

Which brings me to my little secret of thrifting—Anytime you buy something you don’t need or actually want, it’s money you shouldn’t spend. I don’t care how “right” the price is. It NEVER was, and will NEVER be, a good deal!

Unless it’s some long-lost work of art, then sure—it’s probably worth reselling. But if it’s not that… maybe just leave it for some other lucky thrifter.

And instead, save your money today. Then allow yourself the freedom to pay a little more tomorrow for the things you do love and need.

It’s tempting to grab every “deal,” but falling into the trap of buying just because it’s cheap leads to clutter—Thrifter’s Trap: Rookie Thrifting Mistakes Every Beginner Should Avoid (coming soon) and No Regrets: Insider Secrets to Thrifting Without Buyer’s Remorse (coming soon) will help you shop smarter, not heavier. Bonus points if you also check out Never Pay Too Much: Smart Thrifting Hacks for Savvy Shoppers (coming soon) for a little extra strategy.

2. Do: Use a Thrift Wishlist to Stay Focused

Proof that a thrift wishlist isn’t just a cute idea—it’s a strategy. These gems didn’t end up in my cart by accident.

Once you’ve mastered the art of saying 'no' to unnecessary buys, it’s time to kick your thrifting strategy up a notch.

A simple way to avoid wasting money on the proverbial good deal is to always know what you’re shopping for. And that makes a thrift wishlist your secret weapon. It’s the easiest way to keep track of the things you need and what you’re looking for so you can focus in on your dream finds.

I like to think of it as a compilation of your deepest wants and desires…for thrifting, obviously. Gosh, get your mind out of the gutter—sheesh.

Your thrift wishlist should certainly detail everything you need. That said, what would a wishlist be without all of the things you want?

Think of your thrift wishlist as a beacon amidst the clutter and chaos. Carefully and strategically guiding you on your thrifting adventures.

Directing you to all the things you’ve been hoping to find, while simultaneously helping you steer clear of all the unnecessary junk you don’t need—junk that’s sure to waste your money and do nothing more than gather dust.

Easily distracted by shiny objects? Same. That’s why we put together How to Create the Ultimate Thrift Wishlist—your go-to guide for thrifting with purpose (and way fewer impulse buys).

While a wishlist keeps your eyes on the prize, clinging to brand names might have you missing out on even better finds.

Your wishlist is your thrift wingwoman—keeping you on track and out of the “what even is this?” section. Need help crafting the perfect one? Head to 7 Must-Know Tips to Create Your Perfect Thrift Wishlist and give 11 Reasons Thrift Shopping Feels Overwhelming (Tips To Fix It) a peek while you’re at it. Or dive into 8 Thrift Tips for Beginners: Secondhand Shopping Made Easy for a broader getting-started guide.

3. Don’t: Let Brand Loyalty Ruin Your Thrifting Success

Love you forever, Kate and Coach—but buying just for the label would have my closet looking luxe and feeling… unused. Lesson of the day: brand-name doesn’t always mean your style.

Armed with your thrift wishlist in hand, you’re well-equipped to navigate the cluttered aisles of chaos. But don’t let the allure of flashy brand names throw you off course. Brand loyalty can certainly work against you.

There are a lot of myths and misconceptions about shopping secondhand. One of which is the idea that everything is low-quality.

Except defining something as “low-quality” is subjective. Everyone has a preconceived idea about what they may or may not find in a thrift store, especially where branding is concerned.

Walking into a thrift store and seeing brand names you consider “high-quality” might cloud your judgment.

There is a chance you’ll feel tempted to buy things you don’t necessarily love because it’s a brand you never expected to find. You might also worry that it's a brand you won’t find again.

This scarcity mindset can sometimes make you feel compelled to purchase items you wouldn’t ordinarily bother with.

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times…any time you buy something you didn’t need or want, it’s money you shouldn’t have spent.

It’s important to recognize when that little voice nudging you to make a purchase is just brand loyalty talking.

Just because something has a brand label slapped on it doesn’t mean it won’t end up kicking around and collecting dust, just like anything else you buy for surface-level reasons.

Trust me, with a few thrift trips under your belt you’ll quickly begin to realize how common some of those brands you never thought you would find really are. More than that, you’ll start to see designer brands you never could have imagined pop up from time to time.

Let go of brand bias, and you’ll open the door to discovering hidden gems you never knew existed.

Don’t sleep on lesser-known gems just because they’re not on your usual roster—Thrift Myths Exposed: Debunking Secondhand Shopping Misconceptions breaks down why that big-name bias might be holding you back. Pair it with 8 Thrift Tips for Beginners: Secondhand Shopping Made Easy to expand your strategy.

4. Do: Research Unfamiliar Brands to Find Thrifting Treasures

Did I know I needed Sam Edelman in my life? No. Did these boots change my mind? Absolutely. A little research = a lot of hidden gems.

Some of the best thrifted treasures come from brands you've never even heard of.

So I’ve noticed something really interesting about thrifting.

As quickly as someone will buy something out of brand loyalty, they’ll just as quickly leave something for lack of brand recognition.

Most thrifters can admit to a time when they didn’t buy something because they didn’t recognize the brand or manufacturer. Maybe the price seemed high, or the item was more of a want than a need.

Either way, the lack of brand recognition contributed to them walking away from the purchase.

Eventually, curiosity will get the best of them (because it always does), and they’ll decide to look up the item. That’s when the realization sets in that they left a treasure behind.

That, my darling, is how thrifters everywhere find themselves haunted by the thrift finds that never were.

I’ll let you in on a little secret. Anytime you leave one of those gems behind, it’s never there by the time you go back. Your fumble becomes someone else’s blessing from the thrift gods.

So as much as I encourage you to avoid purchasing out of brand loyalty, I equally encourage you to research any unfamiliar items you’re on the fence about.

It can be easy to talk yourself out of buying something you want when you don’t know its value. Lack of awareness can quickly leave some things you love feeling like a frivolous purchase.

However, a quick Google session can turn those frivolous gems into a worthwhile investment.

Take the time, perform the image search—you can thank me later!

Of course, knowing a good brand is one thing—but thinking you can fix every “project piece” is another story.

A little research can turn a $3 “who made this?” into a “wait, this retails for HOW much?!” moment—Talk Thrifting to Me: A Beginner’s Guide to Secondhand Lingo is a great place to start brushing up. You’ll also want to bookmark Mastering the Bids: How to Navigate Goodwill Auctions Like a Pro (coming soon) for leveling up your secondhand knowledge.

5. Don’t: Take on Too Many DIY Repairs from Thrift Stores

Thrifted this beauty with big DIY dreams… and months later, she’s still topless. Know your limits—unfinished projects pile up fast.

Sometimes, even the most exciting finds come with a catch—an unfortunate reality of thrifting.

For every perfectly good item you find, there is an abundance of items begging for TLC. Things that require a little something extra to breathe new life into them. This might include mending rips and tears, stain removal, parts replacement, and, in some cases, a complete and total overhaul of the item.

So before you dive headfirst into a DIY project, let’s talk about why taking on too much can lead to thrifting burnout.

It’s easy to get sucked into the DIY trap of thrifting, especially if your social media feed is plastered with self-proclaimed DIYers and their thrift flips.

It won’t take long to find yourself committing to things as simple as replacing a button and as complex as restoring an antique china hutch.

Before you know it, you’ll have an apartment full of half-finished thrift projects screaming for your attention.

Inevitably, there is only one sure way to get out from under these death piles of chaos. Unfortunately, it generally involves dumping the unfinished mess back on the doorstep of the thrift store from which they came—or straight into a dumpster.

To avoid this level of thrifting defeat, you need to be brutally honest with yourself. Consider how much time, money, and effort an item is worth relative to your skill set.

I’m all for challenging yourself and developing new skills—But I also like to keep things grounded in reality.

So avoid overcommitting to repairs. Consider whether or not the item is still functional as-is. Limit the number of projects you have at any given time. You can also evaluate the cost of having repairs performed by someone else.

It’s important to avoid wasting time and money on things you’ll never finish so you can focus on things you will. My blog, The Truth About Actually Repairing Secondhand Items, provides more information on things to consider before committing to repairs.

Instead of piling up fixer-uppers, channel that creative energy into reimagining pieces that are already practical and ready to use.

Unless you moonlight as a furniture restorer, pick your projects wisely—Fix It or Skip It: Essential Considerations for Secondhand Treasures (coming soon) has tips on when to walk away, and Furniture Finds: Smart Tips for Thrifting Perfect Secondhand Pieces (coming soon) will help you focus on what’s worth it. If you're buying bedding or linens, don’t miss Dream Deals: Practical Tips for Shopping Secondhand Bedding (coming soon) either.

6. Do: Get Creative with Practical Thrifted Items

Not just a cake stand—it's a drip tray with a flair for the dramatic. Practical doesn’t have to mean boring, darling.

Don’t overlook the everyday essentials—practical thrifted items can be both functional and surprisingly stylish with a little creativity.

So instead of biting off more than you can chew with repairs, why not focus on embracing the practical potential of thrifted items? A little creativity can go a long way toward turning ordinary pieces into extraordinary finds.

Think of creative yet practical projects like turning silver-plated serving trays into a gallery wall or chalkboards. Repurposing serving dishes or chafing stands into planters. Collecting baskets to organize your cupboards and linen closets. The options are limitless.

Focus your attention on the practical potential of thrifted items. It will help keep you from feeling overwhelmed and from getting buried alive under mountains of unfinished thrift projects.

If the ability to see potential in used items doesn’t come naturally, I encourage you to read my blog, Promising Tips That Will Make You See the Potential in Secondhand Items.

While thrifting can be a fun and creative outlet, timing matters just as much as what you buy—so let’s talk about when not to thrift.

Think beyond decor—some of the best thrift finds are practical pieces that just need a little imagination. Decor on a Dime: Top Reasons to Thrift Your Apartment Decor (coming soon) will help you see everyday items in a new light, and Cheap Thrills: Inexpensive Must Thrift Apartment Decor Ideas (coming soon) is full of budget-friendly inspo.

7. Don’t: Thrift During Busy, Stressful Times

My living room didn’t come from battling sale day chaos—it came from skipping the crowds and thrifting on my own time. No stress, just style.

Once you’ve learned to spot practical potential, timing becomes your next big challenge.

Seasoned thrifters know that success depends almost as heavily on when you thrift as where you thrift. Here’s why avoiding the rush can transform your thrift trips into stress-free treasure hunts.

Thrift shops and secondhand stores have busy times just like anywhere else. If you’re intent on increasing your odds of being blessed by the thrift gods, learn to frequent stores when the crowds are small and the competition is low.

Take it from someone who’s spent a lifetime hunting for a good deal. I’ve mastered the art of stretching a buck. Thrifting is never more stressful and less successful than when you attempt it during rush periods. That goes for both busy days and times.

People can say what they want. Personally, I’ve never seen anyone more savage or impatient than an elderly woman down the glassware aisle who spotted a half-off color tag on a senior discount day.

It’s in your interest to learn the optimal shopping days and times for the thrift market in your area. If you need help deciphering the most optimal times to thrift, I encourage you to read my blog, 6 Best & Worst Times to Go Thrift Shopping.

Once you’ve nailed the right timing, consistency becomes your secret weapon—because frequent visits are key to scoring the best finds.

If you’re already stressed, thrifting can go from fun to full-blown meltdown—Conquer Thrift Anxiety: Your Guide to Secondhand Shopping With Confidence. Also, 11 Reasons Thrift Shopping Feels Overwhelming (Tips To Fix It) is a must-read for anyone struggling with decision fatigue or sensory overload.

8. Do: Visit Thrift Stores Often to Boost Your Success

This didn’t come together in one lucky trip—I popped in often, even just for five minutes. A quick browse here and there adds up to big style wins.

If timing is the icing on the cake, then consistency is the cherry on top.

Thrifting is a game of patience and persistence, and the more often you show up, the better your chances of uncovering hidden gems.

As sure as a gambler knows they’ll never win it big on a bet they didn’t place, a thrifter knows they’ll never score the find of a lifetime on a stop they didn’t make.

Thrifting is a numbers game, through and through. If you want to increase your odds of checking things off your thrift wishlist, you should be shopping frequently and effectively.

Shopping frequently increases the amount of merchandise you see and sort through. It also allows you the opportunity to pick from recently priced items.

How you shop is even more important than how often you shop. Shopping effectively will help you spot the diamonds in the rough. You’ll never check anything off your wishlist if you can’t see past the piles of junk to the potential within.

If you need help understanding how to navigate the world of organized chaos that is secondhand shopping, then I highly encourage you to read my blog, Surprisingly Simple Ways to Spot Hidden Treasures While Thrifting.

The more you show up, the better your finds—it’s that simple. Use Where to Thrift: 12 Options For Secondhand Shopping (pros & cons) and Rookie’s Roadmap: 4 Nationwide Chains to Kickstart Your Thrifting Adventure to map out your regular stops. And if you’re pressed for time, Treasure Hunting Hacks: Quick Tips for My Busy Thrifting Besties (coming soon) has you covered

Master the Art of Thrifting with Confidence

When you thrift with confidence, your space starts to actually feel like you. This coffee bar? 100% my vibe—and almost entirely secondhand.

With these essential dos and don’ts in your toolkit, you’re ready to thrift smarter, not harder.

From creating a focused wishlist to embracing creative potential and staying consistent, these tips are your foundation for building thrifting skills that’ll serve you for years to come. Remember, the key is to shop smarter—not harder—stay selective, and always embrace the thrill of the hunt.

But wait—there’s another crucial element to mastering the thrift game: timing.

The next blog in our Thrifting 101 series, “Best Days and Times to Score Thrifted Treasures,” dives into the insider secrets of timing your thrift trips like a pro. Whether you’re curious about the best days of the week or how to dodge crowds, this guide has got you covered.

Click here to uncover the perfect thrifting schedule → “Thrifting 101: Best Days and Times to Score Thrifted Treasures.”

And don’t forget—your thrifting adventures are even more fun when shared. Join our community of thrifting besties by commenting below with your favorite thrifted finds, or sign up for our newsletter for exclusive tips and inspiration.

Here’s to your next thrift haul, Bestie—happy hunting!