People Can't Afford Thrift Stores Anymore!

[@TheBlackLotus]

Nothing can escape the grasp of profit seeking capitalists… thrifting became commodified and trendy when it used to come out of necessity…

[@angelabenedict]

It's so upsetting! They're gonna need to call them something else because they're no longer for the thrifty.

[@morrowind750]

vinted is the same way now. worn out black t's are well over 10 when i last looked. and saw a black a hoodie at a store for 15, when wal-mart up the road had them new for 11. like wut

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

I mean... why shouldn't people want to make money? We all want that. Only issue is Good Will being an actual scam 'charity' that treats their employees and managers horrendously. But other thrift stores don't, and tbh I've seen cheap thrift stores go out of business, so it's not like it's as lucrative as you think... some of these stores might have to have higher prices on some of their stuff to make rent and utilities and payrole, you know. Running any kind of business is expensive and profit needs to be made for the owners who are taking that financial risk of running a business to be able to live, too.

[@Violet-qf8dr]

I've seen items with a price from the original store that is lower than what the thrift store is charging.

[@morrowind750]

Update: went to one of the church's thrifts today and got a long sleeve for 3 bucks. Blew me away haha.

[@Nightman221k]

Prices are up so high on everything. I can’t get over how crazy it’s getting.

[@angelabenedict]

It's really getting scary. Something's got to give because at this rate, communal living is going to be the standard.

[@AzhidaReminiec9999]

Angela it looks like you went to a resale store to me The prices at Good Will are much lower there than at any resale retailer

[@richardcrook2112]

@@angelabenedict That's a really good point actually. I was looking up some of my old school friends on this address website, and they're all living in multiple occupation house with none family members.

[@angelabenedict]

It's happening as we speak. No one can afford a house anymore or even rent for that matter so people are having to join forces and live communally in order to survive. It's pretty crazy.

[@thebarefoothobbit]

​@@AzhidaReminiec9999that is not true. Goodwill are like this too

[@elizabethrayne5179]

I heard about this phenomenon getting worse. $20 for a sweater in a thrift store? $20 should get you an entire winter coat!

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

To be fair, inflation is killing the value of the dollar. What you say I'd agree with 20 years ago. Now that $20 for a second hand sweater just comes down to what quality level we are talking about, because I'll def pay $20 for a good quality second hand shirt over a fast fashion shirt that will pill up and come apart at the seems after a few washes. I have cloths that I wear that are ten to twenty years old and worn on a fairly regular basis, seasonally.

[@angelabenedict]

Exactly! The point of a thrift store is for people to shop frugally and for people who are on an extreme budget to be able to clothe themselves in their families cheaply.

[@angelabenedict]

Honestly, I think it's down to context. Traditionally, people thrifted as a form of survival. We managed to do it fashionably because we knew what we were looking for but the whole point was to clothe ourselves and our families while being able To keep the lights on. To that end, $20 for a sweater is utterly ridiculous because if you have someone who is just trying to shield themselves from the cold or buying it to keep their child warm in the winter months - $20 for a used sweater when traditionally $20 in a thrift store got you several items is extortionate However, if you're there just looking for vintage or a cool piece that no one else has And that sweater fits the bill, then $20 is reasonable.

[@moniqueforrester674]

The greed is disgusting in so many places. I shop and donate primarily at a teeny tiny church run thrift shop these days. The volunteers are lovely, they never overcharge, and they do good in the community. I save my heinous clothes for goodwill out of spite😂

[@angelabenedict]

That's awesome! The church run thrift stores are the best and the people in there are always so kind. I'm sure we have more around here than I think, it's just a matter of finding them. They don't advertise.

[@moniqueforrester674]

@@angelabenedict Exactly! I stumbled across it taking a walk in my neighborhood. Only open 2 days, a total of 4 hours a week.

[@angelabenedict]

I really need to keep my eyes open. I might take a drive tomorrow to all the places I know where churches are and see if they have any.

[@bratzliplogical]

Imagine going thrifting for dolls and you see Barbies/Bratz whatever with haircuts for $10 a piece but yet again at Walmart you can get a new Barbie for $8...

[@angelabenedict]

It's insane. It's almost as if it's some sort of plot to force people out of thrifting and into chain stores.

[@wildmarjoramdieselpunk6396]

I just posted the same thing!

[@enterlinemediavisual]

@@angelabenedict the same thing is happening to resellers on ebay with certain products as the retailer doesn't want people to sell or resell certain items that brand deems exclusive

[@joylastname3035]

I've seen dollar tree glass vases priced at $2.99 at Goodwill. I knew they were dollar tree cos I bought them for my plants back when things were still $1 at the tree. I guess the CEO needs more money. There's no way you're taking merch you get totally free and up charging it that much. It's greed.

[@seabreeze4559]

we need laws against the huge resellers who take all the good stuff in one fell swoop, like how ticket touting is illegal @@enterlinemediavisual

[@insightfulchannelplus]

Corportations and flippers have fucked it for basically everyone.

[@angelabenedict]

A-FREAKEN-MEN! You hit the nail on the head. I can't believe the prices. You reaaaaally have to look to try and get a deal in there.

[@insightfulchannelplus]

​@@angelabenedict and universe fobid if you are 1/3rd of america and basically can't shop at 70% of thrift stores OR fast fashon places and have to rely on Walmart, Amazon, or importing. I have to get shit from specialty stores and its 20 dollars for a low quality shirt and it's upsetting. All people deserve to be able to shop.

[@angelabenedict]

@@insightfulchannelplus I can't tell you how much that burns my biscuits. People are out here just trying to survive. If they had the choice they would be doing the most ethical thing possible but sometimes survival and ethics don't live on the same street and you have to bend it a bit. I've been in situations where if I didn't have fast fashion, I wouldn't have clothes. Yet you have these privileged snots running around calling for your cancellation and shaming you simply because work tends to be a bit finicky about you showing up naked.

[@insightfulchannelplus]

​@@angelabenedict I need to learn how to sew, because i aint paying 40 dollars for more pants

[@jennoscura2381]

​@@insightfulchannelplusLearning some basic mending is a good idea. As a goth it doesn't matter if something looks a little jankey after mending because it just adds to the style. You could even fix the rip with a cool patch or bit of fabric.

[@ae744]

A lot of the time I end up cruising the clearance rack in department stores, the items are new, and a lot of the time cheaper than thrift store..

[@angelabenedict]

Isn't that side? It's been the other way around since the invention of thrift stores.

[@joylastname3035]

True!

[@mandaroberts4596]

I work at the Salvation Army, and our prices are INSANE!! My district manager is CONSTANTLY telling me to price up!!! I'm getting in trouble all the time for trying not to prove things even as high as Walmart!!!!

[@angelabenedict]

That is terrible. That is freaking awful that they at the salvation army which at Christmas time stand outside ringing their damn bell to collect money for the needy would Price the very people who rely on their store to clothe themselves and their family as well as the homewares that keep their houses functioning.

[@danic2514]

They have such audacity to run a charity and try to increase their profit margins that much

[@seabreeze4559]

The person who told them to charge more to attract "better" people (read: richer) was Mary, Queen of Shops. She had TV shows TELLING them to do so, some are on YT right now. @@angelabenedict

[@mariekitty]

Cool outfits love your style

[@teijaflink2226]

So why are they pressuring like this, who is picketing all this money? I bet most of it goes in the pockets of the rich people who own and lead those places, makes me sick.

[@Phengophobia]

Yes, it's become more affordable to buy from fast fashion (!!!) than thrift stores. Second-hand shops nowadays are full of "entrepreneurs" buying off pieces to later sell for double/triple the price, so the stores have upped the prices. We even have some "high fashion" thrift stores that are basically glorified outlets with insane prices. And because of all the tiktok hauls, most of the things that are left in thrift shops end up the fast fashion we're trying to avoid. I'm so tired.

[@angelabenedict]

Too true. I can't tell you the amount of fast fashion I come across in thrift stores. The amount from SHEIN is insane. Shopping has become a fun TikTok trend and unfortunately it's landed themselves in thrift stores when they realize they can make a buck. Sucks for the rest of us.

[@middleofnowhere1313]

For real. It costs less at Shein. I've seen some places selling old used items for more than you would pay for a new on on Amazon or Ebay. In my location, rescue mission stores are the best prices and best selection. All the stuff at Goodwill seems to be very large and only like office clothes. Rescue mission seems to get nice new items from Target that someone got as a gift, it didn't fit and they donated it. We're talking 2 or 3 dollars and then when they have too much stuff they do a half price sale. XD

[@angelabenedict]

That's actually where I did my price calculation to see the cost of fast fashion being put up against thrift stores. Nowadays with resellers, inflation and coupon codes for fast fashion sites, fast fashion has become the thrift stores. Given the fact that their stars are extortion it we can't exactly be calling them thrifty any longer. At the moment, places like Poshmark and depop are a bit more comparable to a thrift store.

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

Those Chinese companies will sell you awful quality, though. Shit, a lot of stuff coming from those companies tests positive for dyes containing stuff like lead and arsenic. I think sometimes the stuff at thrift stores really is still better quality than that. If they try to sell donated Shein or Temu for these prices, though, that will be ridiculous.

[@angelabenedict]

I can't tell you the amount of items from fast fashion stores I find and thrift stores nowadays. They have tons from SHEIN in there. You can get good quality items from fast fashion You just need to know what you're looking for. You need to pay attention to the fabric content and you really need to pay attention to the fact that they allow people to review items they've purchased. No one has more to say than someone that is pissed off at a crappy item they purchased. They're more vocal than the ones who are happy. Also, I have a lead testing kit and laundry detergent specifically designed to scrub out lead. You can get them all on Amazon. Relatively cheap and the detergent goes a long way.

[@maximumvio1et677]

$20 for a Wild Fable sweater? I know someone got that on clearance for $5 at Target. I wouldd honestly be surprised if the orginal retail price as even $20. That's so ridiculous, I would've laughed.

[@nebulonha3983]

This is happening even in the Balkans, there used to be fewer thrift stores in every city and the clothes were super cheap, but now there are more thrift stores than regular stores, and they are selling at the same price. It breaks my heart because a lot of people used to rely on thrifting (including my family) but now thrifting is like a luxury.

[@angelabenedict]

I can't believe that this is such a universal thing. Everywhere has their own version of thrift stores or charity shops and those are the stores that people rely on to keep themselves clothed. For people to take advantage of that resource is just cruel.

[@seabreeze4559]

The middle-class staff REFUSE to drop an unreasonable price, that never sells, ESPECIALLY if the person looks poor. Rank classism.

[@lunav5759]

I've never donated to thrift stores, i do donate my stuff to charities, homeless shelters and clothing closets so people that use those places can get great outfits for free. In past years I've worked at thrift stores and know how ridiculous their pricing is.

[@SingBlueSilver-m7t]

About 15 years ago there used to be SO MANY thrift stores in my area. Now we're down to two. One is just crazy with their prices and the other labels everything as vintage so they can charge more. It's literally cheaper to buy brand new online. I remember when I was a teenager you could go into a thrift store and get BAGS of clothes and it would end up costing you like $20. Those days are gone. It's even harder for someone like me that's plus sized. There just isn't anything in the thrift stores for me anymore. I miss thrifting. It used to be such an adventure!

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

I suspect your area might have high cost of running retail businesses. That is usually what destroys low end retail of any sort, because why shop in person when China ships for free? A lot of people blame loss of physical stores for the success of online stores, but I think it's the other way around to an extent, and now it is just a self enforcing loop. Running a storefront is risky and hard work. I work at a small retail business and can attest to how bad of an impact Chinese online stores have had on us. If my boss' parents didn't own the property we run out of, I don't think the shop would be able to survive some of the hardships we've seen. People forget that running a physical shop is difficult and expensive. As to the stores not having interesting stuff anymore... probably due to donations getting flooded with fast fashion. All the cool old stuff is a needle in a haystack, and some stores have a high turnover rate where they are bailing up and disposing of unsold stock constantly.

[@seabreeze4559]

property taxes, must be a Democrat area - Social Security for the Boomers needs funding!

[@thehealthanarchist]

I've noticed in thrift/charity shop especially in city centres where second hand shops are seen as hip or bohemian the prices are ridiculous like a worn-out pair of DM boots for same price as a new pair , I support charity's but this just isn't a logical way to shop . Also they seem to put the best items up on eBay these days ,. I find second hand shops in small towns and villages the best these days in general.

[@angelabenedict]

I didn't realize that they were doing this in the charity shops in the UK as well! I remember that their items at least back when I had lived there were always the newer the better. There was nothing more than 5 years old and certainly no vintage to be seen but like you said they always put the best stuff up front. I'm really sad to hear that their shops have gone the same way.

[@thehealthanarchist]

@@angelabenedict Yeah sadly virtually all the city centre ones have gone this way, There are good ones in smaller towns with vintage and antique items sometimes , animal rescue charity shops seem good still on the whole here , I'm going to visit a cat shelter with a 2nd hand shop next week that my friend works at, she said its good for vintage , plus I'm happy to support animal charity's and will bring them some treats regardless 🖤🐈‍⬛

[@wildmarjoramdieselpunk6396]

I used to get really good deals at Oxfam in the 90s!

[@seabreeze4559]

The staff are middle-class and price it as middle-class. They hate the poor and openly sneer at them in the shops. I was told they look online to check the average price and then ADD SOME because it doesn't need shipping.

[@maddie1998ily]

Can confirm, they do exactly this! Spotted a jumper I liked the look of in a white rose shop but it didn't have a tag on it. Took it to the till, they googled an average price on ebay and wanted £85 for it!!!!!!!!!

[@xkidmidnightx]

I’ve seen insane prices all the way down in Alabama and Georgia. It’s crazy how expensive they’ve gotten.

[@angelabenedict]

That's crazy! They need to call them something else because they're no longer thrifty.

[@xkidmidnightx]

@@angelabenedict yeah, even the religious charity stores have prices comparable to what you’re showing. I’m just going to go back to army surplus and western wear places to get black stuff that will last forever. If it starts wearing out I’ll just mend it with boro patchwork

[@angelabenedict]

That really sucks. I was beginning to think that the church thrift shops were really the last hope. I really hope they don't go well the same way. Well, I remember the days we used to shop army Navy surplus stores!

[@thebarefoothobbit]

Soon its going to get to a point where the resellers wont even pay those prices, and i hope that happens soon so the theift stores realize no one will pay those insane prices.

[@antoniostrina82]

Same situation in Italy. Secondhand shops sell their products at a relatively high prices, in fact not many youngsters buy from them, whereas it was the opposite back in the day. Sometimes it is also a matter of area. In Northern Italy prices are higher because there is more well-being than in Southern Italy. I think that is the same in other countries. Some of my Australian friends told me that their Salvation Army stores have also raised their prices lately.

[@angelabenedict]

I can see that. I have family in both northern and Southern Italy. Mostly Southern Italy and Southern Italy tends to be less financially well off than those in northern Italy. I can't believe this is happening the world over!

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

I would definitely suspect that the operations costs in expensive cities is a factor in higher merch pricing even for thrift. Just like housing is more expensive, so is floorspace for businesses, and some cities also really pile on the fees and fines to squeeze more blood out of dying retail.

[@antoniostrina82]

@@angelabenedict In Italy, the cheap shops, generally called "Chinese shops" (because many Chinese started this business, I say sorry in advance if this term could be offensive for someone), raised the cost of their products. They started selling clothes and household goods as an outlet, with lower cost. Recently, they sold the same products at only two or three euros less (for the ones who are unfamiliar with euros, they are similar to the US dollars). I think that this is like they're mocking their customers. These cheap shops still sell low cost clothes, but the material is rubbish. The majority is almost polyester without cotton, that is itchy and it is so bad in summer and in warm/hot places. They're "skin killer". Other materials are faux leather that tatter in less than a month, and a strange material that looks like plastic, maybe the same of the pink dress that you showed in this video.

[@antoniostrina82]

@@ANPC-pi9vu Yours is a good point. The governments should help the charity shops, in order to avoid any speculation over the beggars and the weaker part of the citizens (workers, labours etc.). On the other hand, I don't know what to say if we speak about private secondhand shops (anyway, the video talks specifically for charity, so I think I can leave the marketing subject apart for now).

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

@@antoniostrina82 I do think it would be great if there's some way to make things easier on them, but the reality is that the government gives tax exemption to charities, but a lot of thrift stores, charity or not, are still housed on private property that costs money and also cost money for utilities and payrole for workers. The only way the government could intervene further would be to give these groups tax benefits, but that's not really fair to tax payers, then. But I'm of the opinion that the government's role should be extremely limited in all things.

[@GabrielleTollerson]

glad someone else is talking about this!! It's ridiculous!!

[@angelabenedict]

I wish I'd done it a lot more in depth with more research behind it. I hadn't done a thrift haul in quite a while so that's essentially what this was. However, I was confronted with an even more exaggerated and out of hand reality of what I'd been seeing And that's thrift stores not living up to their intended purpose. So as I was going around the thrift store, you were kind of seeing in real time me coming to that realization and reacting. I think this is something I want to touch on a little bit more but really do the price comparisons with fast fashion to really show people who shame those who have no choice but to rely on fast fashion in order to close themselves. They always parrot the same mantra, Thrift, why don't you just thrift? Shop sustainably! The thing with that is if we had the choice we'd all be ethical, all day everyday but unfortunately when it comes to survival - being ethical and surviving don't often follow the same path. I think resellers have quite a lot to do with it but at this rate something needs to be done because places like SHEIN Are the new thrift stores since their prices rival the actual thrift stores.

[@skellingtonization]

On sale days, they remove the items with the color tags and store them away as a tactic to get more people to look through every thing till the inevitably give up and leave or just get the normal priced items

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

I doubt it if we're talking about the big chains. Those only keep stock for a certain number of days before baling it to be sent to whatever the lower tier is... sometimes destines for poor foreign countries. So if you see something you liked but thought you'd wait for the sale, well... it might just be off in a cargo hull destined for a foreign landfill. Most donated cloths end up in landfills.

[@Pumpkin_Underground_BPV]

Great explanation and details about Thrift stores/shopping! Sadly it’s getting expensive these days! Also! Love those outfits!

[@angelabenedict]

Thank you! I'm hoping that things get a bit easier and thrift stores calm down a bit with the pricing. One of the best pieces of advice I can give is to rip the tags off of anything that you want to donate, Even cut out designer labels. They will mark anything up for any good reason.

[@thatexcalifornian6124]

It sucks because I’m trying to avoid fast fashion, but this is more unaffordable. And even when they go on sale, it’s the prices they used to be. Total scam!! 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻

[@let.itbleed]

Thrift stores were amazing for a goth teen in the '90s. I got so many incredible things between thift stores and my hoarder grandmother's storage. Some of my favorite thrift finds were old slips, cool platform shoes, and old lingerie (not the underwear 😂). I got the most beautiful antique white victorian dress, cool '60s mod dresses, and amazing scaves from my grandmother as well as costume jewelry. I wish thrift stores were more affordable now.

[@angelabenedict]

You hit the jackpot with your grandmother's storage! That's the dream right there. To have an older relative that collected things throughout the years, I used to have dreams about that sort of thing coming to fruition. Were you able to hold on too much of it?

[@let.itbleed]

@angelabenedict It really was awesome! I always brought a friend with me to her storage, and we'd both rumage through everything and pick what we wanted. My grandmother was happy for it to be worn again. I lost a lot of it over the years when I moved. I still have all the scarves and jewelry, though. I wish I still had the victorian dress. It was really special. I have often thought about trying to have it recreated from the pics I have of me wearing it. I do sew, but I am not skilled enough with my machine to do it. I'm sure it could be done, though.

[@megmcguigan3857]

The thrift stores here are the same. I up-cycle clothes I get off of the clearance racks of New Look. It's cheaper. Contempo Casual was such a cool mall store. They had really cool freak friendly clothing that lasted forever. I had a black pair of crushed velvet leggings from there that lasted me through most of the 90's and a cross bracelet that lasted even longer than that.

[@angelabenedict]

That's insane that you find more of a bargain in a high street store than a charity shop.

[@wintersvixen1983]

Ugh I so miss Contempo

[@geminigrrl66]

Before Express jumped the shark, they used to carry clothes that with a some accessories were perfect for goth looks. I had a long black dress that was relaxed fit that I kept for nearly ten years. I could wear it every weekend with different accessories and it looked different each time. I also had a long velvet dress from the Spiegel catalog.

[@electrodesification]

It's similar in Britain. If's often cheaper to buy at H&M or online then it is in charity shops.

[@angelabenedict]

Wow, isn't that crazy?! It's cheaper to shop in h&m than it is a thrift store or charity shop.

[@seabreeze4559]

Middle-class people hiring one another, they told me they look online for the average price of the item it's selling for (reseller sites, mostly depop) then ADD some money because it doesn't need to be shipped. They also openly sneer at poor people and make them feel unwelcome, also seen them quote higher prices for visibly poor people like financial cleansing or something. Disgusting classism. They tend to keep the best items back themselves (resellers, gifts) or hold it back for their friends behind the counter. We need LAWS regulating this stuff. It's donated to sell openly, not to hand over £1 each to their friends.

[@moniquesanty8812]

Oh yeah I’ve totally noticed the same thing in California. I went to Sacramento for a trip and had my sister take me to the Goodwill and their prices…. Were crazy! I was like! I can get clothes at a regular store for about the same price! Crazy!

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

Good Will has been a scam for a long time now, in so many ways.

[@lagoonablue897]

back in December this channel I watch they went thrifting at their local goodwill to look for sweaters they noticed that goodwill is slowly turning into a retail clothing shop because they started buying stock

[@angelabenedict]

So even the for-profit charity shops are doing it. That's really messed up.

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

@@angelabenedict Reality is that there is no actual charity component to Good Will anymore. Maybe they give some miniscule percentage of profits to some proprietary charity, but I bet if you dug into it, those charities are just scams, too. I've never heard a single good thing about any of them nor met anyone with a positive story.

[@GothicTeaVea]

The thrift store I go to has a giant pile, and you get to look through all of It and get charged by pound. It's like Chucky cheese.

[@angelabenedict]

You had me at charged by the pound. This is absolute magic!

[@douglasgriffiths3534]

Goodwill has a store like that in Flagstaff(AZ). Everything is in large bins and on tables. You can go through and pick what you want, and charged by the pound. I got a few things from there last time I went, and spent less than $10. I think the price was $3 a pound, but it's been a few years since I went. (Jan Griffiths).@@angelabenedict

[@missandry420]

Thank you for bringing up this issue. I found some vintage Frye boots, which I was stoked because I've been looking for a pair. Then I saw the price tag: $150. I was between jobs at the time so I could absolutely not afford them. Luckily I found a pair on depop for $30. When I was 16 I found a pair of doc martens for $20. I can still get 80s stuff and 90s goth stuff (lip service, shrine of Hollywood, morbid threads, eternal, everything except for tripp) for cheap because no one in Colorado wants that shit. I did just score a Taobao lolita blouse and Anthropologie velvet pants for cheap. I still almost exclusively shop at thrifts and online thrifts like depop and Poshmark (though those are typically more expensive). Edit: oh another great find was an original print of Dystopia - Human = Garbage in mint condition for .99 cents. CDs, some electronics, and vinyl are still insanely cheap at thrifts. Resellers don't seem to bother picking through CDs at all.

[@angelabenedict]

Sounds like thrifting is much better in your neck of the woods. It used to be fantastic here but you really have to fight with the resellers and flippers. When you find something good, tends to be marked up quite a lot. New York on the whole tends to have quite a lot of alternative people so your scores are incredible. People would lose their minds over that here. I love Poshmark and depop as well. I'm finding that price wise, I tend to do better on there than the thrift store.

[@shannanberry]

That shawl is the find of a lifetime

[@richardcrook2112]

The problem is because of the internet everybody knows how much everything's worth, it's the same with records and antiques. Secret esoteric knowledge isn't what it used to be.

[@wildmarjoramdieselpunk6396]

And in the 80s, thifting, at least in the small town Midwest, was heavily frowned upon. It meant you were dirty and poor. People would put you down for it or call you a weirdo.

[@MissLizzy882]

once they cottoned on to the fact it was getting popular - boom! Prices shot up. It's the same here in the UK. I have tops I bought for £1 from charity shops, now its practically the same as buying from the high street

[@angelabenedict]

Exactly. And that's the really sad part. They completely lost sight of the entire purpose of a thrift store. They forced out the people that have relied on thrift stores for decades to close themselves and their families affordably so that they can also feed themselves and keep the lights on. There are people in the threads here who have been forced out of thrift stores and pushed into places like Walmart. One person here in the thread was talking about getting two pairs of gym shorts for a dollar each at Walmart, marked down from $3.99. You also have the group of people who would rather shop ethically than give their money to big corporations But the irony is that everyone who shops thrift is being forced to shop corporate because their prices are now cheaper than the thrift stores.

[@crj198]

a tip for washing more delicate clothes. Put the garment in a pillow case, tie pillow case with hair tie and wash with like weight garments in cold water. Hang dry. I hung a pretty solid closet rod over my washer and dyer for these items to air dry. i was hanging them in the bathroom.. but it was irritating having to move them every time some one had to shower. Use plastic hangers and plastic clips to secure the garment. to make sure the grippy part of the clips that would come in contact with the garment doesnt snag the material i cut strips of paper towel double them over and fold the doubled over paper towel over the part of the garment where the clip will go.

[@user-bu3th6qd3f]

What your saying is so true, not everyone our resellers ,most are on a budget.

[@angelabenedict]

It's really true. A lot of the people that have been using these stores for years have been able to stabilize a budget and survive by way of clothing themselves and their families this way. Now, it's impossible.

[@stevojo503]

i worked at a goodwill for a few months in uni. Everyone who handled the softline (clothing) was lower functioning disabled/spectrum. All getting paid minimum wage. I want to say they were all part-time, i had never seen one take lunch and they left earlier. They were not allowed to speak to each-other or me. I'd bring them the clothes from peoples vehicles and watch them silently febreeze (they didn't wash) the clothing before putting them out to sell. The manager however. She made 100k+ easily. She'd pick through the items to see if she liked anything before putting it out. Anything valuable was categorized "boutique" and priced accordingly.

[@aliendeathrocker]

Damn, that sounds grim. And I don't get the point of not allowing employees to speak to one another, that doesn't seem right to me at all. Nothing about that situation does.

[@meredethenglish1577]

In my city, there are 3 different kinds of "Thrift" stores: (1)Goodwill, (2) Specialty Vintage and (3)Local religious/church store or sale that benefit a specific church or local religious programs (for example - after school tutoring and activities for kids in bad situations). Most definitely, the thrift store with the cheapest prices is the religious store! I love the cheap prices they have, and I love that I am supporting their Christian outreach to help people in our city who need help! When I donate, the church stores is also where I donate to!

[@betholson5763]

OMG I used to LOVE contempo!!! They had some really great dark and grungy clothes.

[@angelabenedict]

They were great! Even to this day I still remember random things I used to see in contempo that were way too expensive for my 12-year-old butt to afford. So I look for them now secondhand.

[@wildmarjoramdieselpunk6396]

I used to get great goth clothes at Max10.

[@douglasgriffiths3534]

Contempo Casuals was awesome, and there was another mall store called Merry Go Round that had some dark and grungy clothes also. I have a pair of black pants from MGR that the legs unzip all the way up and expose the royal blue lining. I bought them in the mid 80s and still wear them today. At the ankles they have little plastic clips. Can't find anything like them today. The leg zippers are metal. I always get asked where I got them. (Jan Griffiths).

[@angelabenedict]

@@douglasgriffiths3534 OMG I completely forgot about merry-go-round! I loved that store.

[@sulliday5051]

This popped up on my suggestions. I used love thrifting but the price increase is insane. I still sometimes thrift (for vintage items only) but it's not the same. I saw the turn when they (looking at goodwill) rolled out the "upscale" section, and even had their upscale store. I remember when a used leather coat went for $200. And in another store, a bag I had at time Target ($14 I paid), went for $20.00. I had to laugh at that. Great video. The thrift culture is no longer the same.

[@junkyardbat4199]

I rarely thrift these days because of the increased prices and general lack of things that fit me. I've been wearing the same stuff for years and most of it is disintegrating. Add in sensory issues with a lot of fabric and its tough for me to get anything. In my own shop I try to keep my prices affordable even though everything is handmade. Taking off the tags, trying to shop at smaller thrift stores and outright avoiding the big ones if you can are all things I do to hopefully contribute against the extreme prices. I always try to give away my donations to anyone but goodwill :>

[@angelabenedict]

That's great that you're doing things ethically. Being able to make your own clothing is a brilliant life skill to have. It really helps keep the costs down. It's great that you keep your prices affordable in your own shop as well. A lot of people who are on a budget would be ethical and support independent shots if they could but unfortunately survival and being ethical seldom live on the same street, which really sucks. Those are the people who relied on thrift stores and are unfortunately now being priced out of them. I can understand the sensory issues. I have done a few fast fashion hauls to give people an idea of how to use it sustainably and a lot of the fabric that I've received would set many people off. It's just uncomfortable to touch.

[@joylastname3035]

I was at my neighborhood thrift store a month ago, and they had some silver jewelry, and guess what? They were selling it at the price of silver on the stock market. I'm not joking. I asked how much a ring was, and the lady said she had to weigh it. What? The older lady behind me asked them loudly, "Do you think you're the stock market?" And she walked away cos she wanted to buy a ring too. I've bought large silver earrings for cheaper on mejuri (those bottega teardrop look alike). $49.99 for one simple ring at the thrift store?

[@michellebarker6485]

That black dress was dang cute ! 🫶🏼

[@angelabenedict]

Thank you!

[@Soulizto_Beyondae]

Here in Boise, Idaho...... The Idaho Youth Ranch thrift near downtown Capital, prices went up a bit a times more towards clothes and other items further on. Including in other places and departments closing permanently to merge upon with the headquarters around this nation, sadly.

[@angelabenedict]

I wish it wasn't like that but it is kind of forcing people who rely on thrift stores to go back into places like Walmart

[@lestranged]

I live in the San Francisco area and thrift prices are very high here. I guess the rents are high for retail stores so even though all their stock is free, the still have to charge a lot. I watch a lot of thrifting youtubers who live in the Los Angeles area and things seem to be way cheaper down there. Thrifting in the 1980's was the best because there were so many gorgeous 50's and 60's cocktail dresses for dirt cheap. I had a big collection of cocktail dresses, pointy stiletto 50's shoes, as well as 1950's rhinestone jewelry. (I still have the jewelry) At the time, that stuff was only 20-30 years old but somehow it felt older. Right now, 20 year old clothes are Y2K era which somehow doesn't 'feel' as long ago, even though it's the same age as a 1960's dress was in 1982.

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

You are someone who gets it. Running a storefront is not easy and can get very expensive. Other than high end retail and a few low end big box chains, retail is dying. Also, I think by Y2K era the quality of clothing was already in a major decline, which is part of why people feel like there's no good stuff anymore. I look forward to the day people are asking why the fuck these cheap ass T-shirts with the word 'supreme' are clogging up all the thrift racks with high pricing when a regular Walomart T costs less.

[@megmcguigan3857]

I used to live in Hayward in the East Bay over 25 years ago and they had so many cheap thrift stores in the 90's that I got about 90% of my 'goth' wardrobe from them. I even found a nun's rosary belt at one for about $10. I moved away around 2000 and by that time people from other parts of the bay would go to them so all of the prices shot up.

[@tonapittman]

I've also been ripping tags off new things before donating. They also get the brand labels ripped off (though I take those off mostly for sensory reasons).

[@angelabenedict]

That's the best thing you can do before donating. Don't give the owners of these thrift stores any reason to upcharge.

[@wildmarjoramdieselpunk6396]

There’s a store I got to that literally has “thrift” in the title, but there was a used velvet jacket from Kohl’s there for $28. But then, they also had plastic dolls for $10…the type that might have been at the Goodwill for a buck in the 90s. But for $28 for the jacket and $10 for the doll…I could buy brand new items if they are on sale at a Kohl’s or Target. In the 90s, I used to thrift handmade clothing from the 60s and 70s all the time. Mind you, I started thifting in the late 80s when most people would look down on you for buying second hand. I got a lovely silk velvet pinafore for $5, a handmade puffy formal dress for $7 that was beautiful beaded with jet beads and a tie dyed velvet vest for $4. I found leather calf high boots all the time for $2 to $3 a pair. I found a place by a theater that got rid of their Victorian wear when it got a little worn. So, I had this great Victorian skirt with a train for $2. :) Some great Victorian blouses too. Now, I can’t find much, though I did find a steampunk type skirt for $2 at Goodwill and a wolf looking hat scarf for $4…but that was in 2018. The only deal I get nowadays are $2 under tops with lace I wear under corsets. But, that is about it…or the occasional belt. I got some ice skates that were brand new for $7. But I haven’t been since Covid happened.

[@joylastname3035]

My local thrift store was selling spice Girls dolls for $50 each. 😂

[@SKH1991]

I’m blessed to say most of our thrift stores where I am are still reasonably priced. They are more than they used to be, but they’re still accessible for people on a budget like myself. Thanks for this video. I loved it. 🖤

[@lestatsluv317]

Honestly, even the Salvation Army stores that claim the money goes to charity....most of it absolutely does not. They pocket it. I was a thrift store girlie all my life until the last five to ten years. You are absolutely right when you say the prices at thrift stores are why people like me who once relied on thrift stores to purchase clothes that I actually liked and I could afford (I even got married in a long black dress that I paid six dollars for at the thrift store) are now turning to sites like Temu. I literally could not clothe myself and my eight year old if I didn't have the option of Temu. I hate using it. I know it's bad for the environment and it relies on sweat shops but I have no choice anymore. It's terrible because we are in a position where the poor here in America are forced to exploit the poor people abroad and the only people benefiting from any of this are the few at the very top while all the rest of us are down here fighting for scraps. You and I have very similar styles. Maybe it's the 90's iteration of Trad Goth? lol Smaller hair and more color in our makeup perhaps than the trad Goths of the 80's but still that trad Goth vibe...combined with that 90's vibe....? I didn't get into Goth until the late 90's but my teen years were the beginning of the 2000's and those first five years of the new decade/century/millennium, the trad Goth side of things didn't change too much from what it was in the 90's in my opinion.

[@stephaniemcdowell1010]

You hit the nail on the head with fast fashion being more accessible. The times I've gone thrifting I would only find a few pieces I liked but I could easily buy more that's new. It's very disheartening and discouraging. I want to be more old-school goth and feel those feelings but it's freakin tough. Lol and to now worry about bugs! Talk about adding insult to injury! You'd think the business would do something about that. Those beautiful pieces you found gives me hope to go back. Lol

[@jagoda3714]

I'm so glad I've collected a gigantic thrifted wardrobe before that happened tbh. I'm not in the USA luckily, because these prices are insane 💀 it's going downhill in my country as well, but it's happening very slowly, so it's ok-ish still

[@angelabenedict]

Hold on to it. Hold on to that thrifted wardrobe for dear life!

[@jagoda3714]

@@angelabenedict I will! I'm taking victorian goth very seriously and thrifted many 1880s-1910s mourning pieces for like $2, so I'm not letting it go anywhere!

[@chrysaliscreation8650]

Omg Contempo Casuals. Core memory unlocked.

[@salyx]

This is why I’ve figured out how to get the best out of ThredUp. I just keep a huge favorites list and wait for the best sales. I can usually get 5-7 items for around $50. And since I know exactly what to look for (fabric, how it sits on the mannequin, etc), everything I get is great. As someone trying to live on disability, I feel for people who can’t afford to clothe themselves. Thrift store CEOs should be ashamed of themselves.

[@heathersand73]

Oh my gawd!! CONTEMPO CASUALS!! SOOO MANY BABY BAT '89 MEMORIES UNLOCKED!! I always used to buy my platform go go boots there too!

[@robertpetre9378]

There are a lot of vintage clothing shops and thrift stores in the UK, which seem to be getting incredibly expensive recently as well. It’s really annoying because some of the clothing in there are from the 80s and they are amazing but they are unreasonably priced.

[@angelabenedict]

It's terrible that this is happening. The prices are so ridiculous. The charity shop was the last place you expect things to be priced higher than say, Primark.

[@robertpetre9378]

@@angelabenedict yeah it really is ridiculous, considering the fact that most people can’t afford to buy branded clothing so they have to go to charity shops and secondhand thrift stores just to get basic clothing.

[@Seiferboi]

Seems it's time for people to go to clothes swap parties with their friends, like KZbinr Diane in Denmark. Those always look fun because her group of friends take decluttered items to one of their homes and have a meal together while they pick through the things they might want. Afterwards leftover items are donated to different charities and such.

[@angelabenedict]

This is a really great idea. Get the friends together and do a swap.

[@Seiferboi]

@@angelabenedict she has several of these clothes swap parties on her channel if you want to get an idea of how they work. They bring other things as well such as toys, books, ECT. for the others to go through.

[@preciousypenguino]

Girl, i just hung up 3 slips to dry that i dyed this morning! That coat is so lovely and the shawl is gorgeous ❤ One of my favorite strange activities is to untangle yarn, jewelry chains, fringe, Christmas lights etc... its oddly relaxing. Yes, prices are going up all over. The best thrift store nearby is charity run and even tho they raised shirt/pants prices by one dollar (3$ now instead of 2$), the kids section is still great and 1$ rack still rocks... for now, Im blessed lol

[@angelabenedict]

Yessss! That makes me so happy to hear! I love dying slips. Thank you so much for the compliments on the shawl, I was really excited to find this one. I really tried to salvage the fringe after the wash but sadly, my efforts were not enough. Still much detangling to go. I wish I can send this to you to detangle!

[@preciousypenguino]

Haha! I could probably do it too . My aunt gave me a box of necklaces to untangle the last time she visited. Took 2 weeks but I did it :)

[@LunaLoveBad6969]

I’m sorry… I had to pause to make sure I was looking at that ROACH casually walking across that dress in broad daylight?? 😭😩 Also that coat is just everything🖤🖤🖤

[@angelabenedict]

Oh yeah! He was just out there chilling! That wasn't the first time it happened either.

[@LunaLoveBad6969]

@@angelabenedictThat is wilddd! As the kids say- new fear unlocked lol 😭

[@angelabenedict]

@@LunaLoveBad6969 Oh yeah! I shake things out that I like before putting them in my car. They always get the once over. I won't take them straight into the house, either. You never know!

[@Sanniz]

I am sorry it happens in your thrift stores too now. This we already had years ago here, cause it's trendy to recycle. And still are. I think it's ridicolous, when they haven't even paid for getting the items. For me it need nowadays be something really specially to pay that much. Stay safe gorgeous Angela 🦇🖤🖤🖤🖤🦇

[@crazy808ish]

Resellers have always been a thing. Combing not just thrift stores, storage auctions, pawn shops, yard/garage sales, ebay... everywhere. For specifically major chain thrift stores (because you don't see it as much in small ones and charity shops) to increase their prices simply because of that, is purely just corporate greed.

[@angelabenedict]

They're a lot more now because it's a TikTok trend. If you go and TikTok at the moment, Instagram as well you'll see that it became a big trend for people to go into thrift stores and get the best things they can find to show them off for their video. Many of them do resell however it's the TikTok trend making thrifting the New trending content that has caused major issues.

[@user-wd3po8sd7k]

I agree. Too many people want to blame resellers, but really it is-corporate greed.

[@o.q6889]

I thought I was imagining the prices being way higher. Luckily my local thrift is still really cheap and they refuse to charge more on principle 💕

[@angelabenedict]

Nope, you were indeed correct. They've been on the rise and getting worse. It really sucks.

[@Mickieshelton]

Overcharge? Yeah because their greedy as hell. They not playing the bootlegging game of a case for $200 and selling it out the backdoor for $100...dont matter its all profit. But they want that extra little bit. Scandalous.

[@angelabenedict]

It's upsetting.

[@Cosmicattt]

It would be cool to see your dyeing process or even just a before and afters (p.s. I miss your lives)

[@jennoscura2381]

The Savers I go to here in Las Vegas still has reasonable prices. Sometimes you get a serious score. I found a Kitchen Air stand mixer with bowl, beater, whisk, and dough hook for $50. They have a loyalty program and I had some poits accrued. So I paid a little less than $50. That's a good deal for something that's 2 to 3 hundred dollars new. They also do 50% off color tags. Thanks to the color tag I was able to get a Yamaha Clavinova digital piano from the 1980s for like $30. Some keys on the top octave aren't working. Hopefully those can be fixed. The build in speakers also have some issues. But the audio out jacks work fine. I love keyboards and synths from the 80s. For $30 it's a great addition to my vintage keyboard collection. Unfortunately I don't find as much gothy clothes as I would like. But I have still managed some nice finds. I am glad that Las Vegas still has some good thrift deals.

[@angelabenedict]

That is true, savers is really good for kitchen stuff. They've got great appliances and things. That is one hell of a fine for that KitchenAid!

[@mrsmetalhead666]

Loved the try on with the music, everything looked so good on you and i'm so glad you got that coat, it's gorgeous .

[@angelabenedict]

Thank you so much!!

[@mrsmetalhead666]

@@angelabenedict 🖤

[@Amadeusthegreat100]

Yes we see it too. It's trendy now, thrifting, and I suppose demand raises prices. It's not right but true. Eww. Bugs. Thanks for the video A.

[@gramarye_cottage]

It’s the same here in Australia with high prices in the op-shops (thrift stores). It’s just crazy and very disappointing.

[@angelabenedict]

It's really sad because it's kind of the end of an era. Thrifting has always been an option for all of us and now many of us have been priced out of it.

[@gramarye_cottage]

@@angelabenedict💯🙌

[@asc23channel]

Don’t forget, that brick-and-mortar has become extremely expensive. Electricity, heating, lease etc. Fast fashion corporations work in a completely different global financial/economical environment. I could actually also see thrift stores having issues getting stock, for multiple reasons (private online sales, less good products donated etc.). Entertaining as always! Best wishes

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

Yes. Also, fast fashion is taking an unfair advantage from having special shipping status due to the countries being 'developing countries', nevermind how wealthy the countries have actually become. We really should be ending that status. It just enables and rewards the excesses of abuse and pollution of places like China.

[@asc23channel]

@@ANPC-pi9vu Agreed. Although I don’t completely condemn it, as many people are really struggling financially, and can actually only afford such items. Especially if they need multiple outfits for their job. Just try be a mature, educated and comparing consumer, who puts “local” & “quality” first. Best wishes

[@susancrawford5927]

About 8 or so years ago, new management took over a Value Village in Toronto. The prices at the time were raised to such ridiculous levels that I sent an email to the manager. I made the example of 3 items and how much I would've paid plus tax: - a short light wool grey coat $99, a covered roasting pan $35, a partly broken vintage lamp for $79, a total cost of: $213 plus 14% tax = $242 (3 items!). They reply was that they were reviewing the prices. They probably had a lot of complaints. I noticed they did reduce the prices soon after. To me the best bargains are winter coats, good shoes or boots, sometimes new. I would not pay 13.99 for a used frying pan, no way.

[@willowsneverweep]

glad im not the only one. i went to the thrift store and got 3 shirts and it was 30 dollars. knew something wasn't right about that

[@themalonetribe]

Same here in Sydney ,ive found several op shops selling clothes dearer than the original shop prices..being me of course i mention it and i get the "no sorry we cant reduce it"!? 🙅‍♂️

[@themoonflowerfaerie]

I understand where you are coming from. Living in a small town with only one small thrift store is hard. The prices have risen here as well. I'm a velvet, lace, silk, satin person myself; and when I was in the thrift store last week, I found a beautiful velvet dress. Well, I pulled it out thinking it might work for me. I was shocked to see the price tag said $48.00 for a used dress! Needless to say, I did not purchase the dress. I remember last year asking for the price of some cowgirl boots, and was told they were $400.00! used! I also saw some possibly leather jackets for $100.00. Maybe that's just the price nowadays for thrift clothes, which are also donated here; but I may as well go and purchase new clothes than pay those prices for used donated clothes. I am not going to be able to shop there much any longer anyway, because for the last six months Everything stinks like cigarettes, which I am allergic to. I purchased a few things last year and couldn't get the cigarette odor out of them, so I had to re-donate them :( I'm only purchasing on ebay now, and other online sites. We don't have any clothes stores here except a small old Walmart, which only occasionally gets anything worth purchasing. Great finds btw :)

[@nosgoth5518]

Great video,I always look forward to new ones.i wish Albion batcave was still around I miss it deeply.i actually met rogue and Rachel when cruxshadows played there

[@angelabenedict]

Thank you! Was this in 2004/2005ish?

[@nosgoth5518]

​@@angelabenedict2004 it had to be spring/summer time,we love it (wife and I) cuz he would walk amongst us instead of just being on stage.but nothing beats the vnv nation shows like he did in Irving theater.

[@angelabenedict]

@@nosgoth5518 I was there that night.

[@Lillith_Luna]

You always find the best stuff! We're going out tomorrow to some thrift stores. Hopefully I find some good things. ❤❤

[@angelabenedict]

Put it out into the universe for the thrift gods! May they be on your side 🖤🖤🖤 Thank you so much for the kind words. That video was actually two separate trips in one. Pickens are slim.

[@Lillith_Luna]

@@angelabenedict yess!! I'm going to find some good things! I want a new coat or jacket and some other clothes.

[@Lillith_Luna]

@@angelabenedict oh yeah I am getting a really cool jacket soon. Ordered from eBay. lol. I can’t wait to get it. I’ll be posting pics as long as it fits.

[@pamlenon2712]

Your saying exactly what I was going to state ! I was a young step mom, in the late 70s. I was buying things in, thrift stores for decor, clothes that were just out grown by others . But, still nice. Then it went to people have yardsales and selling them themselves. And people donated their crap. That should of went to the dump! Then, antique dealers started to hire out to manage these 2nd hand stores. Drove the prices up and got 1st pick on everything they wanted for themselves. Or sell in their own store. And they had the gull to brag about it ! Lots of them started closing up. Nobody wanted to go buy the over priced garbage left. When they came back into business. All the resellers started buying things like crazy and still are ! It seems everyone is a reseller ! They sell their things so high. I can't believe it sells. These people get mad because the shops are getting it free and charging more every year. But. They buy it still..and resell for 3 or more times as much. But, they think it's ok to sell high. They just don't want to pay high!! It's all freaking unbelievable crazy. So, the people out there, that don't resell. But, buy out of necessity. Are screwd over.! Victim's of fires. Get garbage given to them. Because all the good items have been sold. By the greedness. Life has always been that way. What started as a good thing to help others. Turns into a money making profit for them all. The poor get screwed over once again !!

[@seabreeze4559]

that's price fixing or price rigging, isn't that illegal? "got 1st pick on everything they wanted for themselves" They aren't allowed to do that, since it was donated with the INTENTION to be sold in THAT shop. The charity shops are now looking at the RESELLER price (for the rich) and matching or increasing over it. Not to mention I've seen staff stealing, but follow ME around who clearly put things in the basket!

[@seabreeze4559]

You also get Americans selling English antiques after illegally buying them in England for professional sale, failing to declare them at airports for taxes and you see it on etsy PIECE By PIECE when you SEE they bought the whole set.

[@pamlenon2712]

I have seen resellers on tube. Having friends in England buying things like crocks in England. Sending them to her. And resells them in etsy. For a lot more !

[@pamlenon2712]

​@@seabreeze4559: I know it was wrong.. but I had a girl getting ready to sell me something. Clearly priced. The manager came in about then. That was also an antique dealer. And said that is not for sale. The girl says yes it is. It's priced. Manager says it's for display only for Halloween. The girl says everything in here is for sale. We keep nothing for the store. Manager says not unless I say it is. Picked it up took to the back with her, never to be seen again. This manager before this volunteer there. Because she says she would get 1st pick. The girl ended up quitting. Even though she was working there 1st. Then she hired the same type that were like her. She let them take what they wanted after her. And these thiefs would have huge yard sales. And just keep bringing out things they had stuffed in there garages. Kids toys, clothes, etc. And they had no kids. Needless to say, in about 3 years it closed up. From not enough donations. This was a Salvation Army too. People complain to the main guy in charge. It didn't matter he was doing it to ! The whole world has the wrong people doing jobs, they should not be doing !

[@seabreeze4559]

@@pamlenon2712 Report to the IRS.

[@amandamidnightcreature8698]

A local thrift store has coupons for 50%,it helps cut down the cost. But yes,witnessing a Shein garment marked up twice as much is despicable. Poshmark is one of my sources for online retail as well,I've found so some amazing treasure troves!

[@angelabenedict]

Yes!! Poshmark has really been an amazing resource. Even with shipping, oftentimes it's been proven more affordable than the thrift store. It's good that your thrift store has the 50% off coupons. That really does seem very useful.

[@ThrashWitch]

I found a thrift store attached to a local food bank in Oregon. They let low income shop for free. It’s clean, organized and friendly. I now donate all our clothing there instead of Goodwill!

[@liamodonovan6610]

You are always stunning angela love you're videos yoi always have a beautiful unique vibe

[@angelabenedict]

Thank you!

[@SarcastiicBiitch]

I'm so glad thrifting isn't as popular in my country. The other day I went to visit my cousin at her job in a thrift shop and left with 5 things and paid $25

[@angelabenedict]

Yes! That's the way things used to be. I'm glad you were able to walk out with such a bargain!

[@batastrophe]

I would die for that long velvet duster at 0:30! I've found one at a thrift store before but it was so big I was swimming in it lol.

[@jasminefox44]

This is why I love England for its charity shops because one its going to a good cause and second there are so much vintage clothing it makes me so happy

[@emilybrown5527]

I love bargain hunting in the charity shops but I've noticed the slow increase in prices (British Heart Foundation for me locally seems to be the most expensive)

[@angelabenedict]

I always loved a good walk around a charity shop in England.

[@angelabenedict]

I'll be coming back for a visit soon so I guess I'll see this for myself. I never miss an opportunity to have a walk around a charity shop.

[@jasminefox44]

@emilybrown5527 yeah I've noticed British heart foundation, I tend to look for the ones that are non profit because some are right cheeky

[@jasminefox44]

@angelabenedict yes absolutely come here! They're are a lot of nice vintage shops here too, as I'm from South there's a lot of nice places to shop especially at the sea sides

[@Mithreniel]

There's a local shop that sells used New Rocks for $600. They're cheaper brand new. Old crusty, ripped up, stained, metal shirts for $100+. It's absolutely insane. I've found antique malls are sometimes better prices than thrift nowadays. I've found high end real leather boots for $40 and less.

[@michellebarker6485]

That Cashmere looking sweater is an amazingly cute dress idea😍 I want one! And that shawl is so gorgeous wrapped around your curves. It could cause car accidents. What a style idea 😅

[@angelabenedict]

Why, thank you! The sweater is so comfy. I want to wear it everyday.

[@lesliewillis2482]

Self check out has been installed in some of our thrift stores. The poorly paid workers are mostly used to sort the massive amounts of FREE stuff they get. Prices are ridiculous!

[@jennoscura2381]

I recently hit up a Savers here in Las Vegas and ended up with a clothing score. The highlights are a black and purple pinstripe blouse and a black Torrid skirt that has a fishnet panel. Both were like $5.50 each and everything was 50% off. So I got two main pieces of a corp goth outfit for less than $6. I just tried those out with fishnets, a black blazer, and some different shoes and boots. This is definitely going to be my go to outfit for when I want to dress more femme in dressy sort of situations. So in some parts of the world there is still a deal to be found in thrift goth.

[@ShawnSJames]

More folks are going to the thrift store looking for deals on vintage clothes because they can't afford new stuff . Demand is driving up prices, especially on designer stuff. I get pretty good deals on vintage designer clothes on eBay. I find an item and put it on my watchlist. Sometimes they make me an offer and I get stuff lower than the original list price.

[@MsLipsticklover]

in Germany in the city where I live, even when its a big city we only had one or two thrift store in the 90s. And it already was trendy to shop there, so u payed for a 70s leather jacket for sure around 100 bucks. It was ridiculous. i always had trouble living on a budget. My life only got better when ebay started.

[@angelabenedict]

That really sucks that thrifting is never really been an option for you in Germany due to pricing. eBay is fantastic! I found so many great deals on there. Have you tried depop?

[@MsLipsticklover]

@@angelabenedict we have something similar to depop here in Germany. It is called vinted. And to be honest.. Almost my whole wardrobe as well as my sons is from there. I found so many gems on those platforms.. 80s avantgarde clothes etc. I never wanna go back 😂

[@drearydancer]

Yep, you're better off shopping at Ross or Temu...so many places that sell NEW and cheap merchandise. I will say that thrift stores are still a good place to find something unique....but not for being a cheapskate. And nobody should be ashamed of shopping fast fashion. It's not your fault how things are made.

[@go2hellgrl]

OMG Angela I am loving that throwback pic of you with the striped pants! Ever unique.

[@sorcha254]

I swear, we must've been separated at birth. 😂 Fluffy, over-sized sweaters, black lacy slips, furry coats, ugh! Get out of my head! I hear you though... Thrift stores have lost their marbles in regards to their pricing. Depop sellers are pretty bad with their mark-ups too! You look fabulous as always! I am envious of that gorgeous red crushed velvet top I've seen you wearing lately. Crushed velvet is my fetish. Maybe a sickness at this point. Love your content so much. Keep going!❤

[@whitneysworld6534]

in my small town of 7K, we have only 1 thrift store and the highest I've seen is $4, most items are .50-$3 but only 15mins outside of my little town there are other thrift stores with a profit mind set and its heartbreaking.

[@angelabenedict]

It truly is heartbreaking. I'm glad that you have a thrift store that charges so little. Hopefully it stays that way.

[@Oatchi329]

Thanks for sharing your experience ❤ My Goodwill has insane prices. Some of the items are actually the same price as the stores some of them come from. So disappointing. Love your haul!

[@angelabenedict]

That's the sick part. And that's what I'm seeing quite a lot Is that they're pricing it at the exact same price point is what you would get at brand new in the store. It just makes more sense at that point to go to the store where it came from and get it brand new rather than used since It's going to cost you the same.

[@eccaetchings5587]

There was a cute black mesh dress that had its original tags of $99…the thrift store was selling it for $30. It was a pretty good deal… sort of. It didn’t look that great on me. I would’ve had to take it in. Not for $30 at a thrift store. 😢 Also, that shawl is so gorgeous 🖤🖤

[@heathersand73]

I was able to start a respectable collection of 40's-60's vintage slips based solely on my thrifting in the days of yore! This was early to mid 90's gah I miss those days! I used to work as a pricer at an independent thrift store and I regularly got in trouble for underpricing shit!

[@morrowind750]

I'm lucky the salvation army near me has random sales on whatever color tag for the day. Last week i got a sweater and jeans for around 5-6 dollars since it was all half off. lucky there i guess.

[@angelabenedict]

And that's really what it's all about. It's down to luck. The thrift store I go to has color tag days as well. But what I noticed is whatever color tag it is that day, is mysteriously missing from the floor. You'll find maybe one or two things but so much of that one color would be missing that it's evident that it was pulled from the floor.

[@ANPC-pi9vu]

@@angelabenedict I suspect that the colored tags are to keep track of batches. The sales are last chance on the batch being cycled out, then the new batch gets that tag color. Some of the stuff gets baled up to be sent to poor countries, and the rest goes in the dumpster. The big chains don't hold onto stock for long, so no, they aren't hiding stuff in the back, most likely. The part about stuff getting cycled out often is fact, it's only my 'color = batch' theory I'm not 100% on.

[@ingajeffrey1978]

Exactly! Thrift Stores are now expensive af, and that's why a lot of us must use Shein and Temu.

[@angelabenedict]

That's what's really sad about it. This kind of thing pushes people to use fast fashion because they have no other means of clothing themselves. If given the choice people would be ethical all day every day but unfortunately survival and ethics rarely live on the same street so rules need to be bent in order to keep yourself afloat. It doesn't help when you have these privileged buttholes running around shaming people for simply trying to survive when they have the means to be ethical and sustainable that others unfortunately don't.

[@siracornful]

Best parts about your videos: Hearing the music in the background and finding new awesome bands!

[@angelabenedict]

Glad you like them!

[@SandyA7_LadyReaper]

Thrifting use to be so fun. I can’t afford it now unless they’re running a special.

[@angelabenedict]

It sucks that its like this now.

[@Teachidoll]

from the looks of it, that looks like goodwill. I have personally found goodwill to charge outrageous prices in recent years. I find alot of local thrift stores to be way better than goodwill.

[@angelabenedict]

Local thrift stores are the way to go. I really want to try and find some more church thrift stores. They've always been incredibly well priced but the problem with them is that they don't advertise so you never know where they are.

[@michellebarker6485]

I haven't been in a thrift store since before covid. I'm gonna plan one to our local Goodwill AND an out of the way thrift shop called Thrift Town (if it's still in business). Maybe a trip to the Deseret Industries Thrift store too. I'm curious if this price nightmare is happening out here in Cali too 🤔? I'll report back.

[@angelabenedict]

Yes, please let me know. I'm very curious to know if this is happening everywhere.

[@iammrbadguy9706]

Sounds like the need for a website that allows people to donate their clothes directly to those that need cheap clothes/want to reuse older clothes. It is truely sad how commerce finds a way to even ruin thrift stores, I wished that people didn´t support this price gauging by the thrift stores, and rather go to alternatives that still have reasonable prices for clothes that are essentially donated away.

[@angelabenedict]

I really think you're onto something there.

[@aliendeathrocker]

This sounds like a really great idea.

[@Mickieshelton]

Cheekbone Angela...another intriguing adventure...the mindset of your shopping.

[@angelabenedict]

I'm glad you enjoyed it!