The People: Hunters, Gatherers and Scavengers

Chances are when you go to a thrift store there will be a large variety of people roaming the aisles.  That's part of the fun of second hand shopping, both the people and the merchandise are always changing and providing a new experience.  But chances are you'll run into three main types of people there, and you can almost always tell what category they fall into.

Much like in the wild, shoppers are separated by their methods.
Are you a hunter, gatherer or scavenger?


1.  Hunters: a man (or woman) on a mission

Thrift shop hunters are often seasoned veterans in the battle that is second hand shopping.  They know exactly what they want and where to go, not stopping to be distracted by the aisles of household knick-knacks and old VHS tapes of Disney movies. (unless that's what they're there for)  You can tell if a person is a hunter by their speed, and, much like a carnivore stalking its prey, their eyes.

Hunters zero in on their prize right as they enter the shop.  They may greet the shopkeeper but just as soon as they find what they're looking for, they're out.

  2.  Gatherers:  "it's all about the journey not the destination"

Gatherers are the people who wander up and down the aisles and take the time to flip through every single item of clothing and every book in the bookshelf.  They don't know exactly what they want, (maybe vaguely they have an idea) because they enjoy coming across something they really wanted or needed.  These types of shoppers carry baskets to gather the things they come across.

So much of thrift shopping is the joy of finding something really useful for really cheap.  What is it about getting something for less than its worth that makes people excited?

Whatever it is, it's definitely worth losing hours in the time warp that is a second hand store.

3.  Scavengers:  "if it's broke, I must fix it"

Many people enter a thrift store with the mindset that everything inside needs a bit of a cleaning, a good, long soak in boiling hot water or an extra button sewn on the front.  These are the scavengers.  They go to thrift stores specifically to find items that need to be altered.  You can tell who these people are by how they hold up clothes to the light and start making adjustments to it in their heads.  I can almost see the imaginary scissors they take to the fabric.

Because vintage is back in style, but shoulder pads have unfortunately not made the cut, younger generations are frequenting thrift stores in search of the large, ugly grandpa sweaters with cat faces.  The crafty ones can take a giant piece of fabric or a shirt and tailor it to their needs.

So there you have it!  Three main categories of thrift store shoppers.  Of course these aren't the only ways of shopping.  Which do you fit into, or have you created a category all on your own?  

Comments are much appreciated!