I am a bit frustrated with Thrift shops marking items at ridiculous prices!

I absolutely love sourcing for my closet.  My goal is to try and purchase items for less than $5.  Hopefully, closer to $3 or less even! I need that so I can make some money on the items.  If my price point is $20, Poshmark takes $4 and if I give $4.99 shipping, there goes another $1.50.  I'd make $14.40. Not bad.  But, most things sell for a lot less than $20.  In fact, to give you an idea of some typical sales, here's what's happened recently:

A top sold for $8 and I made 5.50.  Subtract $3 as an average of what I spent on it.  And, the net is only $2.50.

A pair of capris sold for $12 and I received $7.55 from Posh.  Subtract $3 and I made $4.55.

A bundle of 2 shirts sold for $19 and my earnings were $13.70.  Subtract $6 for what the two items cost me, and my net is $7.70.

Occasionally, I do make a big sale but the majority result in getting my money back for what I spent on them and a little income.

So, what Salvation Army and Goodwill think they are designer outlets, I get frustrated.

Yesterday, I went to my local Salvation Army.  On Wednesdays, four colors (they color code the tags) are 50% off.  Just about every time I found a NWT item of a decent brand, they had tagged it for $24.99!  Even at 50% off, I could not make money on that item.  I even found one item that had a original store tag that had $22.99 as the retail price and Salvation Army tagged it at $24.99!  Are you.......kidding me?

Moreover, many of these items they had priced out of my preferred range (6.99 or less) were not even great brands.  They had overpriced Shein, Forever 21, Rue 21, and Fashion Nova.

They already have tons of Zara that they sell at half price and most of it is junk because they are all flawed with things like broken zippers and tears!

Goodwill does this to some extent too.  I guess it is ok for people looking for a bargain and are buying for themselves but for resellers, it's a bummer.

Thank goodness I still have Plato's Closet and my local SPCA shop here in my hometown and the Curiosity Shop and Teen Challenge in my real hometown.  I've tried God's Thrift before but I remember their prices for secondhand to be outrageous with no deals.

I have so much inventory right now that I do not need anything else but I still love getting great deals with the hope of making more than a few dollars on them.

Conclusion:  Remember my reason for doing this is to keep me busy and focused on something meaningful so I have a distraction from all my worries.

Want to join Poshmark?

It's easy.  I recommend downloading the app and it will lead you through the steps.  Be sure to use this code to receive $10 of your first purchase:

LEPROF_74

My closet: https://poshmark.com/closet/leprof_74?sort_by=added_desc&all_size=true&my_size=false 

See something you like in my closet? Comment that you read my blog and I will give you at least 30% off your item or bundle. 

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SOURCING SENSATION!

Remember the York Peppermint Patty commercial? Today, I got the sensation for sure.  I had a great adventure last Saturday and this Saturday!

I love sourcing in all thrift stores. I like the search for that one item to make my day.

Last Saturday, Plato's Closet ran a $1 sale on a lot of inventory they no longer wanted.

I couldn't wait to get there!  In the back of the store there were about a dozen bins full of tons of clothes.  It wasn't very crowded and those who were also scrounging through the items looking for that one gem or many gems were having as much fun as I was.  We talked, laughed and scored a great haul of clothes. I bought twenty items. 

I didn't take them into the house when I got home because I have no place to put them.  I have to reorganize my inventory to make room for more. 

Plato's Closet sent out a text this week saying "This Saturday come and free clothes! FREE! "

I expected a scene like a Cabbage Patch kids sale on a Black Friday!

I'm happy to say I was wrong!

I got in line with all the other people chomping at the bit to get in! One of the employees gave everyone a plastic bag. I had my own but I'd need both eventually. 

They opened up. Told us where to go and we went. No one ran or pushed anybody. We all just calmly walked various paths to the back of the store.

The bins were arranged on a long table two rows of five with another small table with more bins on the side. 

I couldn't get in at first. But I was in the second row so I was closer than a few more rows behind me.

Soon, two girls moved away and I kept a space for the shy girl to break through. We had talked while in the second row. 

The process was dig, pull, inspect, and keep or toss. No one fought, fussed, got mad or anything. In fact, everyone was very polite.  That was a heart-warming experience.  Good to know that my humble town people are still polite and kind.

I managed to move my way to the next bin until I was at the end of the table.

At that point, I decided I couldn't do anymore.

I found ten items. That doesn't sound like much but considering the situation, I was satisfied. 

So, I went home to evaluate my merchandise.

I asked my husband to help bring in the three bags of clothes! I was tempted to tell him that I got them all today but I couldn't. That would be like coming home from fishing and spreading my arms wide and say, "It was this big".

I went through every item, 30 in all from last week and this.

Boy, did I get a sensation!

I had a few surprises.  One was actually a disappointment.  It was damaged. However, it was all great from there!

In the free items I had these brands Bloomchic, H&M, Express, Aerie, Urban Outfitters,  and a few more.

In the $1 items, I had Lulu's, Cabela, Zara, Asos Design,and more.

The most fantastic find was a dress by the very popular brand Free People! Yepper! Free People!

I love doing Poshmark. Yes, I source, a lot! Think of me as your personal shopper! The profit I may make on any one of these items cost me more than money. It includes time, travel, sorting, taking pictures, creating the listing that has many different parts to it. And paying Poshmark 20% as well as discounted shipping. There are other expenses too like tissue paper, thank you cards, business cards, packing supplies,and more.

I list them at fair market price based on their condition. The profits are often from $2 to " I can't believe I sold that. 

I love Poshing!