Diamonds in the Drop Box

Welcome!
I am a long time lover of thrift shops (as well as estate & garage sales). I have recently left my day job in order to indulge my love of treasure hunting full time. This also gives me the time to write this blog, where I hope to chronicle my findings for others who understand that you can use select thrift shops as your own personal Neiman Marcus or Saks!

TOP FIVE REASONS TO LOVE THRIFT SHOPS:

1. CHARITY. Non-profit thrift shop proceeds benefit worthy causes. Think Goodwill, Salvation Army, and St. Vincent De Paul.

Even a for-profit thrift shop will usually buy its merchandise from a charity, thus supporting it's mission - Think Savers, which benefits Big Brothers Big Sisters.

2. ECO-CHIC. Recycle, Reuse, Restyle. Green shopping is good for the planet.

3. VINTAGE COUTURE. Not everyone wants to look the same. Vintage couture is always in Vogue, yet you will not see yourself coming and going. Big name classics are always to be found in the clutter.

4. RECESSION. While experts may disagree whether we are in one or not, these are clearly not the best of economic times. You can really stretch your wardrobe dollar without sacrificing quality or style.

5. TREASURE. Not just personal finds that bring you back to your childhood and make you smile. I am talking about actual, real deal treasure. I left my job to eBay for a living. I have two accounts, Urban-Anthropology (for my own thrift and estate sale finds) and Electric-Estate-Sale (for my consignment business)- more on this later. I am able to make a good living from the garden variety treasure I run across. However, remember that actual, "change your life" caliber treasures are out there. For a recent example, see Michael Sparks, a Nashville music equipment technician who paid $2.48 at the Music City Thrift Shop in 2007 for what turned out to be a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence. It sold at auction for $477,650. Such things are possible!

So please bookmark this site, or join my RSS feed. I know a national overview of thrift shopping sounds ambitious, but I hope to scour the country one area at a time, and report back to you!! Any reports from the field that you would like to add are also MUCH appreciated!