Re: Ripoff Thrift Stores, Was: New Apple II BBS

[Byron Desnoyers Winmill <wbdesnoy@ucalgary.ca>]

On 7 Feb 2004, Sandra Warnken wrote:
> One is that the stores can't afford to store slow moving items on
> their selves.  The other problem is that people steal things from the
> item or the doner is dumping a system that malfunctions or is missing
> parts to begin with.

I tend to avoid the botique type thrift stores, since I could care less
about old stock (few people share my interests) and broken equipment
(you learn what can and cannot be fixed with time).

Besides, I think that quick moving items are a big problem for thrift
stores.  Sure it is great to moving things out the door.  On the
otherhand, you have to have lots of good merchandise on the shelves or
customers will not come back.

> I've also bought things by walking up the the cashier with the item
> and cash in hand.

That depends on the store.  Warehouse and junk style thrift stores tend
to give their staff more leeway.  The botiques are pretty tight fisted
about prices.  It also helps if you have a good rapport with the
staff.  It helps if they know you won't give them headaches if it
doesn't work.  It helps if they know that you don't resell the stuff.
It also helps if you know the staff (sometimes you are better off
leaving without bargaining, and hoping that it is there the next time
you come around).  So there are a lot of variables, but most of them
are common sense.