Not Just The Thrift Store: 10 Alternatives To Find High-Quality Secondhand Items

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

The benefits of shopping secondhand are undeniable. Prices are lower, wastage is reduced, and it typically requires less packaging, particularly when you are able to purchase pre-owned items in person. In addition, there is the thrill of searching through a range of objects to find a piece that feels truly unique, then taking it home and installing it in pride. You may even get a moment of true satisfaction the next time a visitor compliments your find and you get to tell them the story of how you came across it. When thinking about where to shop for secondhand products, the thrift store tends to be at the top of the list. But, if your area is severely lacking in thrift stores or if the ones near you simply don't have a good collection, does that mean you have to resign yourself to buying new instead?

Absolutely not! There are a range of different places you can purchase pre-loved items, both online and in-person. Does scrolling through sites like eBay or Facebook marketplace from the comfort of your own home sound appealing to you? Or, are you more interested in rifling through potential buys at estate sales, moving sales, and flea markets? Either way, the thrift store certainly doesn't have to be your only port of call when you get the itch to look for a new pre-owned gem. Let's have a look at all the different places you can find high-quality secondhand items that are the perfect fit for you.

Estate sales are great for finding high-quality secondhand objects. This is because the items are not being sold due to being old, outdated, or broken, but simply because the home needs to be emptied following the death of the resident or other event. To find estate sales, check online for listings or follow local liquidators on social media so you know when the next sale is happening. When you arrive, avoid obstructing neighboring driveways and keep in mind that you may be asked to leave large bags at the door to protect the property and its contents.

The idea of shopping at a flea market can sometimes be a bit daunting due to overbearing vendors and large crowds. However, this format is incredibly convenient for buying secondhand items as each of the stalls can offer different types of items, saving you from having to stop by every thrift store in town looking for furniture, clothing, and decor. Make sure to bring reusable bags to ensure your flea market trip is more environment-friendly and don't forget about the possibility of trying some creative upcycling ideas to give an older piece a new lease on life.

Another option is the pawn shop. These stores allow people to take out small loans using their items as collateral. If the loan isn't paid back, then the item goes up for sale, so plenty of high-quality secondhand pieces end up on the shelves. You can research the value of the items ahead of time and even negotiate to get a discount. While pawn shops often sell handy or unusual tools, you may want to avoid purchasing tech like computers and cellphones from these places as it can be hard to tell exactly what condition they are in.

While they tend to be organized by the homeowners and therefore more informal, moving sales or garage sales are also great ways to find high-quality pieces, especially when thrifting home decor or specialty appliances. To avoid picking up too many impulse items along the way, try making a list before your visit these sales to remind yourself what you are looking for. This will keep you on track and will enable you to do prep ahead of time so you can easily spot which pieces are valuable and which ones are more cheaply-made.

In the online world, there are also plenty of ways to locate high-quality secondhand items without even needing to leave your computer. One of the most well known options is Facebook Marketplace. This site allows people to post their item's photos, details, and location, making it easy to search for exactly what you need. Checking local wealthy neighborhoods is a great way to find well-made items that are being sold far below the original retail price, though it is always a good idea to examine larger pieces well before taking them home to ensure there is no damage.

You may have heard of Etsy as an online retailer selling handcrafted items from independent makers, but did you know you can also find pre-loved items on there too? You can secure everything from secondhand clothing to pre-owned furniture and ceramics that feel unique and add personality to your collection. The prices do tend to be a little higher than what you may find at your local thrift store, but with the variety of different shops to check out on the site, it can be a good way to find items that are perfectly suited your own personal style.

This well-known online site is great for finding high-quality objects. Though it can take time to locate the items you are looking for due to the amount of items available on eBay, using specific searches with keywords describing the dimensions and colors you want can help narrow the options down. Looking for sellers that have positive reviews and allow returns is also a good way to ensure you are getting what is advertised and can return the item if it isn't right. Keep in mind shipping fees may apply as the items on eBay will not always be local.

One great way to find interesting, unique, and high-quality pieces is actually checking social media sites like Instagram. Some secondhand sellers have begun operating on social media because of the more communal aspect of getting to know their followers. In addition, this is a great way to really get to know a certain seller, see whether their items are high quality, and understand if their style is a good fit for your own. Avoid scams by checking that the seller posts frequently, has positive comments, and ensuring that they used trusted checkout sites which offer buyer protection.

Want to know how to score unique home decor finds just like HGTV's Nate Berkus? Look no further than online auction sites. These sites often have in-house specialists who locate unique items and allow you to bid for them online. While the starting bids tend to be reasonable, keep in mind that hot competition can push the price up quickly. However, some sites allow you to set a maximum bid so you don't have to worry about going over budget. On successful bids, some houses like Everything But The House will also manage the shipping for you.

If you're looking for luxury, TheRealReal is also a great place to find high-quality, pre-owned items. While the site focuses primarily on clothing, they also offer some home decor, soft furnishings, fine art, and accessories, too. Their aim is to make luxury items more sustainable by promoting reselling rather than buying new. Because the items are verified by their in-house team as authentic, the prices do tend to be higher than what you might find at the thrift store, but if you're looking for legitimate, designer pieces for less than retail price, this could be the site for you.