I'm continuing my blue theme with this 1980s enamel pin I found at Value Village the other day.Aside from the thrift store around the corner from me, Value Village and Salvation Army Thrift Stores are tied for my fave second-hand or thrift stores in Toronto.
But I go to them for different reasons.
Value Village:
Pro: Great labels and generally stylish stuff; normally don't have to dig too much to find something good.
Con: But you'll pay more for stuff (generally - see pro below). Though the company pays charity and community organizations for clothing it is a for-profit enterprise. That means it thinks and operates like a corporate entity: it's VV's job to bring the best stuff as possible to the rack so it can make more money ... so you pay more.
For example, my fave pair of Bongo jeans and another great pair of Guess jeans were $24.99 each, probably the highest price point for jeans at VV. Meanwhile at my friendly neighborhood thrift store I found a pair of Bongo jeans that also rock on me for $4.99!
A pro or con, depending on how you see it: I find VV tends to price popular mass-market items - GAP, Old Navy, etc - at rates I'd never pay ... say $14.99 for a dress that new would have retailed for $30 or so. For me that's a pro because I don't buy that stuff thrift and I find the pricing Gods at VV don't always price items by quality ... which are invariably the items I like! Like any good business it will price higher what it knows it can sell.
Pro: But that's not to say there aren't deals, oh no. Good ole VV has them all the time. This year's calendar features cut-out coupons with different sales incentives every month. Right now in store you can also pick up a stamp card where you get a stamp for every $5 spent and 30% off your purchase when the card is full (this applies to donations you drop off too - and while we're at when you drop donations off at the store always tell the cashier as I've received 20% off my purchase that day). There's also the famous 50% off days that are well advertised.
Salvation Army:
Pro: Definitely cheaper. At the location I go to, $3.99 seems to be the magic price for dresses, tops, capris and fabulous rings. In fact where VV prices may vary according to perceived value, Sally Ann tends to have more standardized pricing.
Con: Sometimes a stinky thrift store smell and not as consistent a selection of good brands as VV (though personally I always find something at Sally Ann) ....
Pro: ...which means if you're a real treasure hunter who loves a good dig, Sally Ann is the place for you. When you find that great deal for super cheap you'll do your thrift happy dance!
Pro: Charitable organization with all thrift store proceeds going back into helping people in the community.
Pro: Also have 50 perecent off days and these crazy auctions ... will post a shopping coloumn I did on Sally Ann auctions this week!
FINAL NOTE: Though I'm sure both aim for consistent prices from store to store, prices will vary depending on neighborhood and the store, so get to know which locations have better deals on what.
Happy thrifting!
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