How to Bag a Bargain on Food, Clothes, and More

Looking to pay less for clothes, furniture, gifts or groceries? Then use our top tips for finding secondhand bargains!

At Flea Markets

You need a good eye at flea markets to weed out the garbage from the hidden gems. Usually, it takes some digging through the cabinets that no one wants to comb through to find some treats.

Baby and children’s items are a great buy. Little ones grow out of clothes quickly, so these are usually in great condition. Now you can easily treat the grandchildren. Looking for labels and name brands are a must, as you know the quality will be good. Avoid anything that look washed out and stretched.

Make sure you check out any fruit and veggie stalls, too. It’s usually the fresh goodies the seller has leftover, but if you’re working to a tight budget, then it’s a great place to pick up some veggie bargains.

Online Marketplaces

Furniture is a good secondhand buy and with some clever upcycling, you can turn a tired looking item into something special. Try upcycling a chest of drawers simply by sanding it down, repainting it, and covering the sides and fronts in wallpaper or paint. Look for secondhand furniture on local online marketplaces like on Facebook.

Thrift Stores

Thrift stores can be very hit and miss. Look out for the ones with constantly changing stock, and always keep your eye out for good, designer items. You may even be lucky enough to find some with the original labels still on.

Online Auction Sites

Online auction sites are a gold mine for secondhand goods. When bidding, it’s always best to watch the item until the last five to 10 minutes, and then put in your bid. You’re less likely to be out-bid and there’s less of a chance you’ll over-bid.

Always check the seller’s feedback before bidding. Sellers with high feedback are generally more reliable as they are less likely to do anything that will ruin their rating. Never take your transaction out of the site. If anything were to happen and you didn’t receive your item or it was faulty, they will help resolve the dispute.