THRIFTING 101: Essential Etiquette Tips Every Thrifter Needs

Thrifting isn’t just about snagging killer treasures at unbeatable prices—it’s also about keeping the vibes fun and fabulous for everyone. Cue thrift store etiquette: the ultimate guide to making sure I’m not sending you out into the thrift community blissfully unaware of the faux pas that could turn you into "that person."

If you’ve already caught our last blog, THRIFTING 101: A Guide to Understanding Thrift Store Lingo, congrats—you’re basically fluent in thrift-speak! But knowing the lingo is just the beginning, Bestie. To truly crush the thrift game, you’ve got to master the unspoken rules of secondhand shopping.

From maneuvering crowded aisles without turning them into an unwanted game of bumper carts—to keeping the fitting rooms clean and stress-free. I’ve got all the tips to help you thrift like a pro (and maybe rack up some thrift karma along the way). Let’s dive in and make you the thrift queen (or king) everyone secretly wishes they could be!

1. General Thrift Etiquette: Respect the Space, Score the Finds

• Sipping and Shopping: Mind Your Coffee and Snacks

PRO TIP: Get your caffeine fix before hitting the thrift. Not every store lets you sip while you shop—tragedy, I know.

Ok Bestie, coffee in hand is my absolute favorite way to thrift—it’s a vibe.

That said, it’s important to respect store policy. Stores that take issue with customers consuming food and drinks are usually pretty good about advertising it. So best practice is to double-check for any relevant signage as you enter the store.

If a store openly advertises there is no food or drink allowed, then as reluctant as you might be, comply. Don’t make some middle-aged woman feel like a Karen because she has to remind you.

That said, honest oversights happen. If you find yourself being asked not to have food or drink in the establishment, respectfully comply. You can always leave to finish your drink or return it to your car if available.

Most of this goes without saying because our community would NEVER—But—

When you’re fortunate enough to be shopping somewhere that does allow food and drinks, consume them respectfully and responsibly. Avoid setting them down and leaving water rings on furniture, especially wood pieces. Don’t leave empty cups sitting on shelves like they’re your kitchen counter. And for the love of God, don’t use clothes and other linens as your personal napkins!

Speaking of respect, let’s talk about another small but impactful way to keep the thrift store experience pleasant for everyone.

• Don’t Be THAT Person: Return Items to Their Spot

PSA: Don’t get in the habit of leaving treasures like this vintage Sirocco shelf and pewter candlestick stranded in random places. (Yes, I rescued them.) Bonus tip: Always check every corner—people love ditching the good stuff!

I realize that at first glance thrift stores look like utter chaos out of an episode of Hoarders. So for some people, the idea of putting things back where they were found seems totally arbitrary.

However, as you thrift, you’ll come to a couple of realizations:

1. Thrift stores are actually organized chaos.

2. You definitely appreciate when things lean more toward organized than chaos.

So in the words of Stephen R. Covey, “Be part of the solution, not part of the problem.” Be courteous to your fellow thrifters and help maintain what little organization you can by putting things back where they belong. It’s a small ask that goes a long way.

While you’re helping keep things organized, don’t forget this next essential tip—it’s all about treating those thrifted treasures with care.

• Jenga Shelves 101: Handle with Care

Since we’re already on the topic of thrift store chaos—let’s talk about how difficult it can actually be to handle things with care.

The reality is that most really good thrift spots have shelves so packed with stuff that there’s literally merchandise overflowing onto the floor. So I definitely get that it can sometimes feel impossible to handle things with care. I swear, the store merchandisers pack shelves like an expert-level game of Jenga. You pull one piece, and the whole thing is coming crashing down.

That might even make handling with care feel pointless when the store is clearly giving that ‘carelessly thrown together’ vibe. Even so, it’s important to try and handle things as nicely as possible.

That said, accidents still happen, and merchandise certainly still ends up shattered on the floor from time to time. Speaking from experience, breaking something at a thrift store feels like a much bigger deal than it really is. The important thing is to make sure you let staff know. The priority should always be to get things cleaned up in order to prevent someone from getting hurt unnecessarily. Remember, a little apology goes a long way.

Now that we’ve covered the basics of respecting the store and its items, let’s tackle another key part of thrifting: sharing the space with your fellow treasure hunters. Here’s how to keep things smooth and stress-free when you’re thrifting in a crowd.

2. Thrift Store Crowds: Your Guide to Thrifting Without Drama

• Bubble Up: Respect Personal Space While You Shop

Pro tip: If you’re eyeing a large find, grab it first and immediately run to the checkout. Comeback after and hit the aisles with ease. No need to maneuver crowded spaces with your big-ticket items. Simply come back to work the smaller treasures!

Contrary to popular belief, people really should be entitled to their right to personal space. Hell, not to sound political—but for some of us, the only good thing to come out of the fiasco that was 2019/2020 was the acknowledgment of a personal bubble.

That said, be respectful of your fellow thrifters and give them a wide berth whenever possible. Because speaking from experience, no one loves it when that dreaded reach across plants some stranger's stinky armpit right in your face. Or when someone booty grazes you like they're working the dance floor at a club in the 2000s. Make sure that personal bubble remains intact not just for you, but also for those around you.

On crowded days, it’s perfectly okay to divert from your typical route in order to maintain a comfortable space. Instead of hovering in congested areas, try skipping to the aisles with less traffic. Then navigate your way back to the other areas as they’ve cleared out. Remember, a polite word of “excuse me” is always preferable to the unsolicited touch of a stranger.

Want to avoid the crowds altogether? Check out THRIFTING 101: Best Days and Times to Score Thrifted Treasures for insider tips on stress-free shopping and treasure-hunting success.

While maintaining personal space is key to a stress-free shopping experience, respecting boundaries extends beyond other shoppers—it also applies to staff. Let’s talk about how to handle restocks without joining the piranha frenzy.

• Restock Rush? Master the Art of Waiting it Out

New cart chaos? Hang back and let the crowd clear. But if you spot your dream find—be a flash, grab it, and make your getaway. Thrifting's a mix of patience and perfectly-timed pounces!

Fair warning, thrift store restock carts resemble a piranha feeding frenzy you might catch on Animal Planet. Staff can’t even get these carts all the way through the door before they’re surrounded. In a matter of seconds, arms and merchandise are flailing about.

I know it probably sounds like I’m being facetious, but I’m really not. Restock carts send people into an absolute frenzy. My advice: don’t get swept up in the madness of attempting to get a first look.

A good rule of thumb is to give it 5 minutes. You’ll find that the swarm dies off just as quickly as it came. So after a couple of minutes, you’ll be free to peruse the restock carts in peace. In my experience, there’s always plenty of great stuff left.

Speaking of chaos, restocks aren’t the only times when thrift stores can get a little wild. Sales days often bring the most excitement—and the most opportunities for someone to lose their cool. Let’s keep the vibes fun and friendly.

• Sale Day Survival: Stay Chill and Still Win

Sale day tip: Keep calm, shop smart, and score big—like this vintage plaster set I nabbed for 50% off. A chill thrifter always wins in the end!

Even in the world of thrifting, the first day of sales can be far busier than one might expect. The good news is they’ve got nothing on a Walmart Black Friday sale in 1999, so don’t treat it like one.

Sales are great, and they are a wonderful way to score even bigger discounts—but they’re nothing to fight over. If you thrift long enough, you’re definitely going to see some disagreements. Especially because a good sale will have resellers out in full force, and to them, it equals dollar signs. Don’t get caught up in the competitive side of things. I can promise you it’s really not that serious. Stay polite and keep it fun.

Now that you’re a pro at navigating crowds like a thrifting ninja, let’s turn our attention to another key part of the experience: interacting with the staff who keep the thrift store magic alive.

3. Friendly Faces, Better Finds: Why Gratitude Matters

REMEMBER: Thrifting’s a small world—trust me, you’ll see the same faces often. A little gratitude (and good etiquette) can turn you into a VIP for repeat visits. Just look at my thrifted living room glow-up!

It’s been my experience that if you’re willing to ask, the staff are almost always willing to help to the best of their ability. That goes for anything you need—from accessing the dressing rooms and bathroom to interpreting and understanding sales, pricing unmarked items, or even approving discounts when requested.

That said, remember that thrift store staff are often juggling a lot at once. They’re restocking shelves, sorting donations, managing sales, and trying to keep some semblance of organization amid the chaos. So while they’re usually ready, willing, and able to help, it’s imperative to approach them with kindness and patience.

Here’s the golden rule: interacting with thrift store staff is no different than interacting with anyone else—respect and politeness go a long way.

Now, in the interest of transparency, the help you receive might not always quite measure up to your expectations. It’s important to remember that their help can fall short for a number of reasons. Maybe they’re not sure about a specific policy, or they can’t immediately assist with a request. In these moments, it’s important to keep your cool and remember that these stores often rely on a small, hardworking team. A little understanding and gratitude can make the experience better for everyone involved.

If you’re a regular thrifter, it’s even more important to build a good rapport with the staff. Not only does it make for a more pleasant thrifting experience, but building good relationships ensures you get the help you need, when you need it. Consider the difference between being asked for a price adjustment by a rude customer vs. one of your favorite regulars. I think you’ll quickly realize that it costs nothing to be kind, but it certainly comes with its advantages.

Now that we’ve talked about interacting with staff, let’s touch on a topic that can sometimes feel a little tricky and anxiety-inducing: pricing. Whether it’s spotting an item without a tag or debating whether to ask for a discount, navigating pricing at a thrift store poses its own set of challenges.

4. The Price Is Right: Navigating Thrift Store Pricing with Integrity

There are certainly some dos and don’ts surrounding pricing etiquette. Here are a few rules of thumb to approach it the right way, so you can keep things fair, respectful, and drama-free.

• “No Tag, No Problem?” Handle Unmarked Items Like a Pro

Unmarked items? Don’t stress—my Goodwill doesn’t mark most items under $3, especially dishes. So unmarked items like these vintage Italian espresso cups? Just $.99—Remember, it never hurts to ask!

Let’s face it: stumbling across unmarked items at thrift stores is pretty common. It happens for a variety of reasons—sometimes items are overlooked during pricing, poorly applied stickers fall off, tags on clothes get ripped off during try-ons, or some stores simply don’t tag items below a certain price. And yes, shocker, some people even have the audacity to pull cheaper tags to put on more expensive merchandise.

The solution? If you come across an item you’re interested in and it doesn’t have a price, politely ask an employee for assistance. It’s always better to clarify than to assume. For instance, I’m no stranger to asking the employees about pricing at my local Goodwill. They’re always kind enough to run the item to a member of the pricing team and bring it back to me. Easy peasy.

Speaking of pricing drama, let’s move on to a practice we absolutely don’t condone: tag switching.

• Don’t Be a Tag-Switching Scoundrel: Play Fair, Score Big

Don’t be tempted by tag-switching—play fair! This marble cake plate was $4.99, but the next week I found one for $9.99. Don’t let discrepancies in pricing lead you down an unethical path. Ask an employee about a potential discount instead.

Speaking of bad apples, let’s address the audacity of the few bad seeds who are running around switching tags. Some are even bold enough to post video evidence of their shady behavior on social media. What can I say? Not everyone was raised with the same moral compass.

Don’t let anyone else’s poor decisions influence YOUR behavior. Switching tags isn’t worth the headache of what might happen if you get caught—whether it’s as minor as being asked to leave or as serious as legal action. Plus, the growing popularity of this behavior always results in stricter store policies, which negatively impacts everyone.

You’ve heard the proverb, "one bad apple spoils the bunch," right? Don’t be the bad apple, Bestie—our community here at The Thrifted Touch doesn’t roll like that!

Now that we’ve talked about staying honest, let’s discuss why understanding store-specific policies is just as crucial.

• Know the Rules: Mastering Store Policies Like a Pro

Want to score treasures like this ornate frame and pewter candlestick regularly? Know the store policies! From unmarked items to sale rules, mastering the details helps you shop smarter and snag gems.

Over time, it’s important to familiarize yourself with basic store policies. For example, some stores won’t allow you to purchase an item that’s missing a tag—thanks to a few bad seeds who started removing tags to try and score better deals. In other stores, it might be as simple as asking an employee who can go in the back to obtain a price.

Every store operates differently, so knowing their specific rules will save you time and frustration. It’ll also ensure you’re shopping with integrity. And always remember what we discussed in part three—be polite to employees. They don’t make the rules, so berating them about store policies you don’t agree with or high pricing you refuse to pay isn’t going to get you anywhere. So don’t be that person.

Now that we’ve tackled pricing etiquette and how to shop with integrity, let’s talk about another hotspot of thrift store drama: the fitting room. Believe it or not, what happens behind those curtains can make or break someone else’s shopping experience. Let’s dive into how to keep it tidy and stress-free for everyone.

5. Fitting Room Etiquette: Tidy, Quick, and Considerate

Let’s be real—fitting rooms have their own level of chaos. They’re a hot spot for try-ons, drawn-out decision-making, and, unfortunately, messes. Honestly, being mindful of your fellow thrifters and practicing good housekeeping etiquette doesn’t get more important than in fitting rooms.

Here are my recommendations for how to be a fitting room MVP:

• NEVER Leave a Mess: Return Unwanted Items Like a Pro

Treat thrift store clothes like a pristine closet—if you don’t want it, put it back on the return rack! A little courtesy (from each of us) goes a long way in keeping up the appearances of our favorite thrift stores.

After trying on clothes, it might be tempting to leave the rejects in a pile on the floor. Except, to be a truly respectful thrifter, you should avoid putting clothes on the floor altogether. Floors are filthy, and no one wants to try on something that’s been kicking around on it. Instead, make it a point to get in the habit of putting things back on the hanger as soon as you’ve taken them off.

Now, you might also feel inclined to toss your unwanted items on the nearest rack. Resist the urge, Bestie! Instead, use the designated return racks that are provided for you. This small courtesy keeps the fitting room area organized for everyone and saves the staff extra work.

Remember, just like you don’t want to trample over a pile of clothes when you enter the fitting room, no one else does either. It’s not just about you or me—it’s about the community. Future thrifters will thank you when they can enter a tidy dressing room or find items in their proper places!

Speaking of being considerate, respecting others’ time is just as important as keeping things tidy. Let’s dive into the importance of moving efficiently in the dressing room.

• Respect Time Limits: Everyone Deserves a Turn

Respect the time limits—everyone deserves a turn! Just like this neatly organized rack of tops, let’s keep the shopping experience smooth for all by giving others a turn.

Thrift store fitting rooms are often limited, and long waits can lead to a lot of frustration among customers. Not that anyone’s time is more valuable than yours, or anyone deserves priority over you, but it is a common courtesy to try and be mindful of your time in the dressing room. Try on what you need, make your decisions efficiently, and keep it moving so others can have their turn.

Fitting rooms really aren’t the place to have lengthy deliberations over what to buy, to take extended phone calls, or to film your next long-form YouTube video. I always recommend doing your part to free up space and keep the fitting room flow smooth and stress-free.

BONUS TIP: Seasoned thrifters often wear outfits that allow them to try on clothes over top of what they are already wearing. This cuts down on the stress of waiting for a dressing room. I recognize that as a beginner, you might not feel comfortable taking this approach, which is perfectly fine. That said, I wanted to make sure and put it out there for those who might feel so inclined.

By following these simple fitting room guidelines, you’ll make the thrift store experience better for everyone—and maybe even earn a few good karma points for your next thrift haul!

Wrapping It Up: Etiquette for the Win, Treasures for the Taking

Mastering thrift store etiquette = one step closer to your dreamy, budget-friendly apartment. With a little respect and a lot of style, treasures are yours for the taking!

Congratulations, Bestie! You’re officially on your way to becoming a thrifting superstar. With these etiquette tips in your back pocket, you’re not just shopping—you’re contributing to a positive and respectful thrift community. Who knew good manners could look this good?

But we’re not done leveling up your thrift game just yet! Want to know when to hit the stores for maximum treasure-hunting success? Don’t miss the next blog in our series: THRIFTING 101: Best Days and Times to Score Thrifted Treasures. You’ll get the insider scoop on the perfect timing to snag those elusive thrifted gems before someone else beats you to the punch.

Now it’s your turn: What’s your top thrifting pet peeve or best etiquette tip? Drop it in the comments below and let’s chat! Whether it’s a funny fitting room faux pas or a golden rule you swear by, let’s share the love (and the laughs). After all, the thrift community is stronger—and so much more fun—when we learn from one another!