According to experts, these items are best left untouched on the shelves.
While shopping at the thrift store , you may stumble upon some items that you have zero intention of buying and others that feel like the find of the century and land in your cart immediately. However, most times you visit a secondhand shop, you'll likely come across pieces that fit into the "maybe" category—they seem like they could be worth taking home, but you're not entirely sure if they're worthwhile.
According to seasoned thrifty shoppers, many categories of items are generally not worth purchasing, regardless of cost. Here are five types of products that these people consistently avoid picking up.
Meet the Experts
- Ellie Christopher is the founder of Ellie Christopher Interior Design based in Birmingham, Alabama.
- Hailey Covington is the creator of Gulf Coast Grandmillennial in Seabrook, Texas.
- Audra Samnotra owns Social Swan Decor located in Tampa, Florida.
Project Pieces
Not everyone is actually Going to utilize parts from previous projects—important to have self-awareness and be practical when shopping, considering what you genuinely plan to tackle later on.
Ellie Christopher, the founder of , advises, "If you're not an experienced do-it-yourself enthusiast skilled with tools and having handled multiple projects previously, I'd recommend avoiding items that require fixing." Ellie Christopher Interior Design In Birmingham, Alabama. "Simply because something offers a great deal doesn't imply it will require only minimal time to finish, avoid causing stress, or prevent adding to the mess in your home."
Overpriced Pieces
Thrift store shopping focuses on cutting costs, which means overpriced items won’t offer the best value. As Hailey Covington, who founded the operation in Seabrook, Texas, points out, “Occasionally, thrift shops set prices higher than warranted due to exaggerated online valuations or mislabeling items as antique.” Gulf Coast Grandmillennial .
She recommends taking a minute to do some reconnaissance before heading to the cash register.
It's essential to investigate the worth of an item prior to purchasing and confirm that the quality matches the cost, according to Covington. "Mislabeling can lead to particular frustration once you find out the product isn’t as valuable as claimed," he adds.
Upholstered Furniture
Undertaking upholstery projects can be quite demanding—even if you bring in an expert for the heavy lifting, it'll still set you back significantly. Therefore, Audra Samnotra suggests passing up those needing repair at the thrift shop if conserving your funds is high priority.
"The process of reupholstering furniture is definitely a task best left to professionals; this isn’t something you should attempt as a do-it-yourself endeavor," according to the shop’s proprietor. Social Swan Decor In Tampa, Florida. "Transforming requires an investment. If you’re really looking for a bargain, ignore anything unless it’s something absolutely essential."
Items With A Scent
Although it’s entirely feasible to eliminate odors from secondhand finds, there isn’t a surefire cleansing method that always succeeds.
If it originated somewhere else and continues to smell odd, simply taking a sunbath and using Febreze won’t be enough,” Samnotra states. “More sophisticated (i.e., costly) measures would be required. A single musty item can persist.
Items You Don't Love
We have all fallen into the trap of purchasing items just because they seem like amazing deals, only to later realize we rarely use them. Next time you visit the thrift shop, let’s aim to avoid repeating this cycle.
Should something fail to inspire happiness or suit your living environment, it's best to let it go," Covington advises. "Surrounding yourself with objects you dislike often leads to disarray, and these pieces might never be utilized or valued. Rely on your intuition and opt for possessions that truly delight you and could be showcased proudly.
Related: 9 Preloved Home Decor Pieces You Should Definitely Consider Buying Used
Read the initial article on Southern Living
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