Misc Monday, I Love Spring & Pricing Pet Peeves

Happy Monday!

With the arrival of some amazing spring weather, we've been spending alot of time outside.  Several days last week & most of Saturday were spent doing yardwork & property clean up - a neverending project, for certain.  'tis the season for checking the property for dead or otherwise dangerous trees.  Garden time is fast approaching.  The lakes and beaches are calling.   It's time to shrug off the winter doldrums & soak up some real Vitamin D.  It's time to REFRESH!

No matter what the season, it's always THRIFTING time, though! We've found a couple things for the Big 3 Tool Party (June is fast approaching!).  We're on the lookout for all things TOOL.  The little mister thinks he's getting a CHAIN SAW party...ha. NO.

Recently, I've been irritated by some thrift store pricing methods...not how they determine their prices, but how the label their items.  One of our thrift stores uses STAPLES to attach their tags.  Sometimes the staple is in a tag, but not always.  Often, the item will be damaged upon removal of the staple.  Other places use stickers.  Not a horrible way to label something, right? UNLESS the sticker is on paint that comes off with the label...or leaves residue that is difficult to remove.  I think they should put the stickers on the BOTTOM of the item! My last example is the practice of writing a price directly on an item...and not on the bottom.  WHY!??

Somewhere along this trail of my life, I was taught that if you have a problem with something, you should keep quiet about it unless you have a possible solution.  Well...what is my solution to the issue of how to price items without causing damage? Place your sticker or your write your price on the bottom of an item.  If it is clothing, use the tag to write the price or attach the label.  If there is no tag, perhaps a price tag attached to a string could be used through a button hole or zipper pull.  If they feel the need to use a stapler, at least use an inconspicuous location on the garment, please.

In the big scheme of things, these are little "problems" -- and I am fully aware of how blessed & lucky I am.  BUT, this is Miscellaneous Monday on our little thrift store blog, so I thought I'd mention it :)

Now, I'm going to get off the computer & be productive - more spring cleaning & decluttering!

Happy Thrifting!

Misc. Monday: What We RARELY, if Ever, Buy at a Thrift Store

     We recently shared our list of things we prefer to buy thrifted, rather than new. 

     Today, we'll share our list of things we'd rather not buy thrifted, for one reason or another.  While we love a good bargain, it's just worth it to us to buy some things new.
    
     On top of our list of items to NOT buy thrifted, with noted exceptions:
          - under garments: underwear, bras, socks. Even though I know that a good, hot washing would most likely render these items quite safe, I cannot persuade myself to thrift these items.
          - electrical items or appliances: UNLESS the store offers a decent return policy if the item does not work to your satisfaction.
          - jigsaw puzzles: UNLESS it's unopened.  It's just not worth the frustration of getting to the end & discovering you're missing a piece! I've been very fortunate & have found many unopened puzzles over the years.

     As you can see, there aren't many things we won't buy thrifted! There's always an "exception to the rule" and nothing is totally off limits.  We try to keep an open mind & make purchasing decisions on an item by item basis!

     OK, let's go...Happy Thrifting!
         
     (oops had this ready, but forgot to post it)

Miscellaneous Monday: What We ALWAYS Try to Buy "Thrifted"

We hope you all had a great weekend. We went to a couple yard sales & even managed to visit a couple of our favorite thrift stores.  It was sunny, but not particularly warm - it may have reached 60.  We can't begin to tell you how eagerly we await the arrival of warmer (not HOT) temperatures!  We're ready to work in the garden, hike, & go to the beach! We've been watching for new-to-us warm weather clothing & sandals.  We've spent the winter scouring Pinterest & the internet in general for new things to do this summer...and, now, we're just so anxious to get to it!

For now, though, some miscellaneous thrifty thoughts...

Misc Monday: Spring Cleaning

Miscellaneous thought for this week...

Spring is in the air! I LOVE waking up to the songs chirping birds! My fruit trees are loaded with early-season blossoms, daffodills & dandelions abound, the honking geese are happily flying northward! It's time to shake off the winter doldrums & enjoy the outdoors! We have grand plans for the upcoming Spring & Summer months & I can barely stand the wait.  If you've ever met me, you know that patience is NOT my best quality.  So, it's time for SPRING CLEANING!