6 strange/useless things you'll only find at goodwill

I think my favorite part of thrift shopping, aside from the deals, is coming across really strange things that make me question why something like this was invented in the first place.  And then it makes me wonder who would buy this and think it was a good idea?  This week's post is dedicated to some of those special things.

1.

But first I have to know, what is this?  It looks like the first failed attempt at making an abacus.

Thrift Store Review: Goodwill Stockton, CA (March Lane)

This week's thrift store up for review is the Goodwill on March Lane (because there are a lot of Goodwills out there).  As an international charity with thousands of thrift stores across the nation, Goodwill probably has a shop not far from your home.  For Stockton residents, this Goodwill is a quick jaunt from the two malls and down the street from University of the Pacific.

While not as big as Superior Thrift, this Goodwill has a sizable facility and not shortage of interesting items to buy.

A Second Hand Story: (Superior Version)

I've been wanting to go to Superior Thrift ever since I heard from a reliable source (my mother) that it's the best thrift store in Stockton.  I recall when I was younger, snobbier, and more afraid of driving downtown that I went to Superior Thrift and didn't see what was so great about it.

Today I am eating those words, getting indigestion and regretting them immensely.  Superior Thrift is nothing short of superior.  My receipt is proof of that.

Coincidentally, I went on a day where they had a 20 percent off Student Discount promotion, which only made my impulse buys even more impulsive.  I'm pretty sure I went home with a bag full of things I didn't even try on and just grabbed off the rack and purchased without realizing until I left with 20 dollars less than I came in with.

I went to Superior Thrift with a couple friends, fellow bargain hunters who were as mystified and curious by the store with such a famous reputation.  We browsed the aisles for an hour or so, completely amazed by how much there was.  Veterans of thrift shopping probably laughed to see our wide-eyed looks of amazement, like kids who walked into the world's largest toy store.

Here are a few of my favorite finds..

Thrift Store Review: Superior Thrift Stockton, CA

The people at Superior Thrift weren't being cocky when they named their store.  It is aptly named, and might be the best thrift store in Stockton that I've been to so far.  Although it is located in what is widely considered the "dangerous" part of Stockton, the bargains are worth it.  You could spend hours in Superior Thrift  only to realize there's an entire section of the store you haven't explored yet.

A Secondhand Story: Rolling with Cheapskates

As a bit of a break, this post will be a little explanation from me about how I came to discover the finer points of never paying full price for anything.  I come from a long line of thrifty people, my mother is a serious coupon-er and my grandfather shops almost exclusively at the 99 cent store.  My mom is also one of those people who goes to multiple grocery stores, buying the cheapest thing from each one without realizing the money she spends on gas outweighs what she saves on getting that cornstarch 4 cents cheaper at Safeway.  

I wasn't always so keen on getting a good bargain, but I was destined to become a thrift store shopper.

Used Book Store Review: Friends of the Stockton Public Library

This week the wonderful second hand store I will be reviewing is the Friends of the Stockton Library Book Store.  Here you can find reasonably priced books donated by the Stockton libraries or generous people in the community.  Although it's a small book store, there is a wide variety of books to choose from, and I've never left empty handed.

Stockton residents may know the location because it's right next to GymStars and David's Pizza, which doesn't seem like a wise move (calories next to exercise?) but it's easy to miss this little shop.  But if you love a good book then this is not a store you want to pass up.

Prices are extremely reasonable, much better than any bookstore I've ever been in.  Everything ranges from 50 cents up to 5 dollars, though I've never bought any book over 3 dollars.  

Pay special attention to the far right side of the shop just as you enter, that's where the classics and plays are.  If you have to buy a copy of Shakespeare's Macbeth or Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, you'd be better off searching at a used bookstore before going to a Barnes and Noble.  

Thrift store review: Crossroads Trading Co. Stockton, CA

The first official review for this blog is dedicated to my favorite second-hand clothing store in Stockton, Crossroads!  Nestled between a Vietnamese restaurant and a hair salon is this small haven for cheap, designer clothes.  It may not be as cheap as a thrift store, but the clothes are good quality and in the latest styles.

Crossroads Trading Co. purchases designer label, gently used clothes and sells them for cheap at their many locations across the country.  Because the one in Stockton is small compared to the other branches (there's one in Sacramento and San Jose), it doesn't buy clothes.  

However, both males and females can find some excellent outfits here!  

The Pros and Cons of Online Shopping, Thrift Stores and Retail Shopping

There are a lot of different ways to shop nowadays, each with their own drawbacks and benefits.  Between online, retail and thrifting, which do you think is the best?  

There are arguments for each one, but because I'm biased toward thrifting, I'd like to persuade you to give second hand shopping a try if you haven't already.

So what's wrong with online and retail shopping?