Typically you will find the widest selection of quality clothing in the thrift stores in the spring and fall. This is when most people are cleaning out their closests for the change of season. Often they purge items that they have not worn, or that no longer fit. Does that mean that items will be out of style? No way, often you will find items that sold at full price less than 6 months ago for a fraction of the cost. Keep in mind that not all thrift stores have a fitting room. If you wear something snug fitting like a t-shirt and bike shorts, often you can try clothing on over the top. This will help you not spend money on something that you will have to pay to alter. Its not a bad idea to have a price list from your local alteration shop with you when shopping. If you can find a breand name, "like new" pair of dress pants for work that retail for $100 new, and they are marked for $4 at the thrift store. Paying $9 to have them hemmed still doesn't seem like too bad of a price for a great pair of dress pants. Same concept can be applied to suits, dresses, skirts and blouses. Childrens clothing is not typically worth the expense of alterations, so make sure you know sizes before heading out.
Shop the thrift stores heavily for furniture and housewares in May and June, especially if you live near a military base. That is the time of year that people like to move and the military likes to relocate troops, and when people move, they tend to purge items that they don't want to haul/pack. Sometimes you can find some brand new items still in the box!
Whatever you buy, make sure you inspect it for holes, broken parts, instruction books and so on. Ask the store what their return policy is and don't be afraid to ask them to discount something if you find a problem with it. Worst thing they can say is no.
Photo pulled from Planet Green
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