Ethical question: Buying from thrift stores

[Sketcher]

Is it OK for someone who is financially not poor (as in not receiving or eligible for welfare) but not well-off either - just starting out - to purchase clothing and furniture at thrift stores? It seems to be a popular choice in the US for college students and recent grads who get their own places for the first time. I thought thrift stores were supposed to serve the poor, though. Non-judgmentally, I ask - if you believe it is OK for someone who isn't poor but is just starting out to shop at a thrift store, why? And how much does the presence or absence of debt affect your belief?

 

[brinny]

of COURSE it is!!!!! PLEASE, buy from these wunnerful places! They support jobs for the disabled, etc, and these stores, if they do well, can expand into other locations. Please encourage your friends, family, etc. to patronize them, and when you have things you can donate, please donate to them.

They are a Godsend.

Patronize them my brother.

God bless you

 

[Gary the Kid]

Jesus said it was finished........buy what ever you want.

 

[ValleyGal]

I believe God expects us to be financially responsible. We have no unnecessary debt and do not spend beyond our means - and for us, this means we shop at thrift stores - although we do not get a whole lot of things we don't need. We also donate to them when we are able. We try to shop at thrift stores that have a good purpose - supporting recovery homes, missions, etc. rather than the for-profit ones.

 

[Hospes]

If buying from thrift stores when you can afford otherwise is wrong, then I am the worst of sinners.

 

[Hetta]

Debt has nothing to do with it, shop where you can afford to shop. Just make sure that, down the road, you give back when you have more than enough for your needs.

 

[Albion]

It's an interesting question, but unless the store in question makes a point of saying "this stuff is only for those who cannot afford better," I'd say there is no moral issue. The usual thrift stores seem to want to move their merchandise as quickly as possible and, in fact, need to do that. And each sale--from whoever it comes--helps the poor to the extent that the store uses the profits for their benefit.

 

[graceandpeace]

Is it OK for someone who is financially not poor (as in not receiving or eligible for welfare) but not well-off either - just starting out - to purchase clothing and furniture at thrift stores? It seems to be a popular choice in the US for college students and recent grads who get their own places for the first time. I thought thrift stores were supposed to serve the poor, though. Non-judgmentally, I ask - if you believe it is OK for someone who isn't poor but is just starting out to shop at a thrift store, why? And how much does the presence or absence of debt affect your belief?

Yes, it's okay.

I regularly shop at thrift stores, & the benefit extends beyond just finding goods at low prices, regardless of a person's financial situation.

For one as Christians we are called to care for the earth, & by shopping at thrift stores we can reuse-recycle items.

Also, many thrift stores use their earnings to help the less fortunate, which is also something important to Christians.

 

[vespasia]

Ethically if I need something I check if the local Charity Shops [UK] and places that reuse items that would otherwise end up in landfill have it. This means money then goes back into a charity or I have found a new use for something that would otherwise be seen only as trash.

 

[quietpraiyze]

Is it OK for someone who is financially not poor (as in not receiving or eligible for welfare) but not well-off either - just starting out - to purchase clothing and furniture at thrift stores? It seems to be a popular choice in the US for college students and recent grads who get their own places for the first time. I thought thrift stores were supposed to serve the poor, though. Non-judgmentally, I ask - if you believe it is OK for someone who isn't poor but is just starting out to shop at a thrift store, why? And how much does the presence or absence of debt affect your belief?

I don't really know where you got the impression that thrift stores are for the poor. To my knowledge they are for any and everybody. Not everybody is randomly shopping. There are collectors who make it a habit to peruse thrift stores. There are sellers on ebay who get a lot of their inventory from thrift stores. If you have an "eye" for antiques and vintage/retro you can make some real money. It's not just something being cheaper but some older models of some items are actually better. There are also items that are no longer being made that you might be able to find. It's not an issue of debt to me as much as it is trying to be frugal AND get the most for your money. I don't like buying things over and over again. Now a days so many items just seem disposable. I like some older items because they were built to last. So yes poor people are shopping at thrift stores but so is some of everybody else. Also there aren't just used items at a thrift store. There are many new items as well because local regular dept. stores many times donate inventory that has timed out. I would say go to several thrift stores and enjoy your shopping experience.

I hope that helps

 

[BFine]

I shop with glee in thrift stores...they've been
great for helping me find the old books I've
been seeking!

 

[NothingIsImpossible]

I know people who make 6 digits and shop at thrift stores. They are a good way to save money. Anyone can shop there.

 

[WannaWitness]

I happen to know a lady who's loaded and shops at thrift stores. Her beautiful home is furnished with mostly thrift store furniture, knickknacks, decor, and accessories, and you would never know it just by casually observing. It's because she has an eye for knowing the right things to buy.

I myself love thrift stores. To me, they sometimes can prove to be gold mines. I like to look for CDs, tapes, books, pinbacks, postcards, and other odd-and-end things that might strike my interest. I even get clothes sometimes, provided they're in good shape. There are some things, of course, that I would never buy from a thrift store (in fact, I don't think they should be carried at all): hosiery, underwear, brushes, combs, and hair accessories.

 

[mina]

Thrift stores are for everyone to shop. and they support charities or work training so I'd rather spend my money there than a corporation. Your money probably does more good at thrift shops.

 

[pinkjess]

Thrift stores are the bomb. I get almost all my clothes from one resale store just right up the road from me. They help support a nearby pregnancy center for young women (with a Christ-centered mission). You never know what cool stuff you can find at one!!! I've found clothes you can buy at the mall for $$$ for a fraction of what they originally cost.

 

[JAM2b]

At one point I was involved in an organization that helps women and kids who have been in domestic violence situations. It involved shelter, counseling, and a thrift store. What they did was allow the women and children to have whatever they needed from the thrift store for free, whether they were coming into the shelter with nothing, or moving into their own home with a fresh start. Everyone in the community was encouraged to shop there because the more business they had, the more they could financially support the operation. They had some very nice things donated, and every spring they would have a huge auction for expensive items. One year someone donated a 1000.00 purse, and it sold at auction for 1500.00.

I think generally speaking, they need costumers from all walks of life.