When people go shopping, they need a lot of wisdom in order to find the greatest deals. This applies whether you’re seeking the best Christmas gift ideas for infants or searching for secondhand clothes. If you’re looking for the latter, it’s wise to buy the right garments from the right people for the right price, to avoid being ripped off. In this article, we’ll provide some good advice on what you should avoid when buying used clothes.
Contents
Forgetting Good Causes
Don’t just buy from stores that are designed to keep all the profit. There are all sorts of charity shops that support good causes, such as:
- Salvation Army
- Food for the Poor
- YMCA
- Feed The Children
- AmeriCares Foundation
- United Way
- American Cancer Society
- Catholic Charities USA
They all have different purposes, but they share one thing in common: they want to help those in need. This means people who don’t have the means to support themselves.
It’s worth pointing out that some charity shops only sell new items. Also, there are regular stores that sell new items and that apportion some of their profits to worthy causes. It’s possible to find an apparel company supporting veterans, and that sells clothing, hats, and accessories to both men and women. A portion of every sale goes towards raising awareness for veteran and first-responder suicide prevention.
Forgetting To Donate
When people are checking their stock of clothes and considering shopping, it’s an ideal time to give some away. There may be things you’ve only worn once, don’t like, or can no longer fit into.
There are a few different types of places that accept donations of used clothing. Consignment shops will typically only take items that are in good condition, and they’ll only sell items for a limited time before they’re donated or thrown away. Most consignment shops won’t accept undergarments due to health concerns.
Charity organizations, on the other hand, will usually take any type of clothing donation regardless of condition. Recycling facilities will recycle fabric and clothes into new products. When deciding where to donate your used clothes, consider what type of donation each organization accepts and whether you want your clothes to be resold, given to someone in need, or recycled.
Not Trying Them On
Firstly, you want to make sure that the item is actually your size. It’s all too easy to fall in love with a piece of clothing, only to find out later that it’s several sizes too small or large. Secondly, trying on the clothing will give you a chance to check the condition of the item more closely. Once you’ve put an item on, you’ll be able to see if there are any rips, holes, or stains that you hadn’t noticed before.
Trying on clothes in a changing room is the best way to get an idea of how an item will look on you. Will that dress flatter your figure or make you look frumpy? Is that shirt too short or long? Many online retailers have size charts that you can consult, but it’s still important to check you can return the item for a refund if necessary.
Not Checking Their Condition
As we previously said, it’s important to check the quality of the items before purchasing them. This is strongly recommended, even if you’re in a hurry to go somewhere! Here is a beneficial list of things to look for:
- Stains
- Rips or holes
- Missing buttons or broken zippers
- Pilling fabric
- Fading colors
- Odors
If you don’t check the quality of the items before buying them, you could end up with clothes that are in poor condition or even unwearable. You might have to replace them sooner than if you’d bought them new. This defeats the object of buying secondhand in order to save money.
Ignoring The Price
If you do this, you might end up paying too much for something that isn’t worth it. There are a few things to keep in mind when considering the cost – and the first is that the item is used. It’s not going to be perfect, and it may not last as long as something that’s brand new.
Second, compare the prices with similar secondhand items before making a purchase, to ensure that the cost is realistic. Finally, don’t be afraid to haggle. If you’re comfortable negotiating, try to get a lower price on an item by offering less than the asking price. Secondhand clothing stores are often willing to negotiate, so it’s worth a try. If the proceeds are going to a good cause, however, you may be happy to pay more as a token of your support.
Not Cleaning Them After Purchasing
What’s the problem with not washing secondhand clothes before you wear them? Well, for starters, you don’t know who wore them before you or what they did while wearing them. They could have been to some pretty unhygienic places in the recent past. And even if the person who wore them before you was meticulously clean, that doesn’t mean the clothing itself is clean. Think about all of the places that piece of clothing has been – on the floor, in a dressing room – and all of the hands that have touched it in its current location.
How you should best wash your secondhand clothes will depend on the items concerned. If it’s something delicate (like a blouse) you’ll want to hand-wash it in cool water with a mild detergent. For more durable items, like jeans or a sweater, you can machine-wash them on the delicate cycle with cold water. And always hang-dry secondhand clothes instead of using heat, which can damage the fabric.
This article has covered all the things you shouldn’t do, as well as what you SHOULD do when buying secondhand clothes. By applying these tips, you’ll be able to find bargains that are perfect for your needs. They’ll be well within your budget and admired by everyone who sees you. At the same time, you may have provided much-needed funds to a vulnerable person.
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