Ten Indications You May Be a Thrift Store Addict (or, alternatively, a Dedicated Sustainable Shoppper)

1. You walk into your local Thrift Store, the staff greets you by name and lets you know that a big donation of owls/masks/brass elephants just came in and they've been put aside for you.

2. You bring your own recyclable bags when thrifting, intending to fill them all with treasure.

3. The only way your Significant Other will allow you to even enter a Thrift Store is if you first donate several bags of items back.When you donate items back to a Thrift Store, some of them still have Thrift Store price tags attached.

4. You have at least 3 half-sets of dishes that you slowly add to over years and years of searching for and collecting.

5.You buy items for other people when thrifting, because when you see that particular item, you know so-and-so will love it.

6.You notice when your local Thrift Store moves items around, and are completely disoriented.

7. When thrifting, you purchase "unique pieces" that you intend to match with other items in your wardrobe. These items, when worn, embarrass your family and friends, but you still love them (the items and the family members).


8. Sometimes you are forced, uneasily, leave your basket(/s) aside with the Cashier so you have your hands free to continue shopping. You check back regularly to the front counter to be sure all your treasures are still yours, safely in the basket(/s).

9. You run into fellow Dedicated Sustainable Shoppers who you know solely because you see them every week in your local/favorite Thrift Store. You start to organize regular trips with them, stopping for coffee and eventually making a weekly afternoon ritual of it. You love these folk, but also remain slightly suspicious that they will beat you to the treasure, and only half-credibly swallow your jealousy when they inevitably do pick up those moose antlers before you get a chance to swoop in on them.



10. You've found so much treasure over the years that when people ask you what your best thrifting find is, you can't choose an item (unless you were the lucky one who scored the child-sized Pink Panther recently, and then your answer is obvious)!

Please note that this list was put together by a self-confessed Thrift Store Addict. I love thrifting; even working at The Re-Use-It Centre hasn't spoiled it for me! Just don't ask me what my best find has been... there are way too many to count!


Helen, Manager at The WCSS Re-Use-It Centre