10 Common Thrifting Mistakes to Avoid at All Costs
Follow these expert pointers to avoid buyer’s remorse.
If you ask someone why they thrift, a lot of people would unequivocably say it’s all about “the thrill of the hunt.” There’s nothing like that moment when you spot something amazing on a shelf as you walk toward it, knowing that it’ll soon be yours.
It’s easy to let the excitement cloud your judgement and end up with thrifted items that aren’t as thrilling once you get them home. The biggest bummer? Most thrift stores don’t accept returns.
To avoid having “buyer’s remorse,” read on for top thrifting tips and tricks from shopping pros.
Making Fast Decisions
Making fast decisions is risky, says William Lyon, an interior designer who appeared on That Thrifting Show. Instead, stop and take a breath.
“It is so easy to get excited when you find a vendor, a sale listing, or an in-person treasure trove, but you have things to consider, so take a minute with the piece,” says Lyon.
Overlooking and Not Having Room for It
You might be tempted to buy something because it’s beautiful or an incredible deal, but then you’ll arrive home and realize that you actually don’t have space for it, says Kyle William McKeen, a designer and furniture restorer who frequently shares “how-to” thrifting videos on his Instagram page.
“Thrifting creates a sense of urgency because the thing you love might not be there tomorrow or it’s too good of a deal to pass up,” he says, and instead advises keeping a list of things you’re looking for and sticking to it.
Shopping Without a List
“Not having a foundational list of items you are looking for is another mistake,” says Lyon. “Yes, letting pieces find you is fun, but it is easy to get distracted (at least for me). I find having a wish list of items in my phone is helpful along with ideal dimensions and other handy details.”
Skipping Measuring Ahead of Time
We’ve all been there—you end up buying something that’s way too small or way too large simply because you forgot to measure.
“When I move into a new place, I measure every wall and space,” says McKeen. “I also have the exact measurements of my car's trunk memorized at this point. If it can't fit in my car, I don't get it. Hiring a U-Haul or mover can turn a great deal into an overpriced nightmare.”
Only Looking at the “Good Price”
You see something at the thrift store you like, and you can’t believe it’s priced so low. You have to snatch it up because it’s a good deal, right? Buying an item because of its “good price” can frequently lead to buyer’s remorse, according to Lyon.
“It's a slippery slope,” he says. “I learned from a good friend of mine to stop and ask myself, ‘Would I still want this if it cost more?’ This keeps you from buying a piece ‘just because.’”
Buying Something Because It’s Trendy
It’s fun to experiment with trends, especially when it’s vintage or thrifted, but specifically hunting for trendy items may mean that you’ll deep six it when the trend is “over.”
“It can be easy to fall in love with a trend when it floods our algorithms, but it's just as easy to fall out of love with it once your favorite design influencer says it gives them ‘the ick,’” says McKeen.
That’s why you want to develop your taste beyond trends and instead focuses on what you genuinely likes. “Before buying something, ask yourself, ‘Am I buying this because it's trendy, or because I genuinely love it?’” he says. “It can be hard to untangle the two, but the pieces you genuinely love can still be in your home 20 years from now, while the trendy piece may end up in a Goodwill bin by the end of the decade.”
Buying Project Pieces
“I think everyone has thrifted something that needs more TLC than you bargained for,” says Lyon. “Not considering the costs of repairs, reupholstery, mending, painting, alterations, and the time/skill it will take is a huge thrifting mistake. I’m guilty of this. I did it with a family heirloom rocking chair once. There’s a lot to consider, but trust me, if it is out of your wheelhouse, leave it.”
Mistaking a Reproduction for a Vintage Piece
It’s so easy to assume that something is an authentic vintage piece because it looks like one, admits McKeen. Although genuine pieces don’t matter to everyone, “for those of us who love history and enjoy owning a piece of it, there can be a lot of disappointment in finding out something you bought is actually a reproduction,” he says.
“Look for a maker's mark,” he adds. “This is often a sticker, stamp, or marking carved into wood, metal, or leather. It can help you identify who made the piece and whether it's a knockoff or the real deal. Some high-quality vintage and antique brands I look for include Thonet, Herman Miller, Lane, Drexel, Thomasville, American of Martinsville, Henredon, Knoll, Broyhill, and Kent-Coffey.”
Not Using Your Phone as a Tool
Use the “tools at your fingertips,” reminds Lyon. Namely, your phone. “Keep a running list of things you are on the hunt for in your phone, but also do a quick search, reverse image search, call your professional contacts for an estimate, and look up makers’ marks or anything you find on the underside of a piece,” he says. “A little investigation can help you realize if you have found treasure or trash.”
Not Visualizing How It Fits in Your Life
You might thrift something without understanding how it will eventually hold up in your space. “It can be easy to see a beautiful item and imagine it styled in your home, but it's much harder to imagine how it will hold up over the years,” says McKeen. “You always have to consider how you actually live in your space. Do you have pets? Kids? You don't want to buy an antique vase if you have a cat who loves to knock things over, or gorgeous white taffeta curtains if your child fancies themselves an artist with finger paints. Sometimes, durability and practicality should be taken into consideration more than anything else.”
Shelby Deering is a freelance lifestyle writer who frequently covers home design and decor for national publications. She has worked as a full-time freelance writer for over a decade, and has worked in the industry for nearly 20 years, writing home tours, interviewing top designers, and beautifying her own home. She holds a master's degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and when she's not writing, you can find her at thrift stores and flea markets, running, or exploring local trails in Madison, Wisconsin, with her husband and corgi, Dolly.
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