The Unexpected Thrift Store Alternative That's Full Of Vintage Treasures

Whether you go to thrift stores for the thrill of the hunt or because you're looking for a specific thing, bargain basement prices are part of the allure. Maybe you also visit yard sales religiously, attend the white elephant extravaganza at your kid's school, and never miss picking through the discards for rare and valuable items at the library's annual sale, because you already know that thrift stores aren't the only place to find high-quality secondhand items. Still, an unexpected alternative may be coasting along right under your radar. Church rummage sales, held to finance a mission or maintain a food pantry, can offer everything a thrift store sells, from flatware to furniture.

Church sales are more like yard sales than thrift stores, though some churches do maintain a small shop selling used and vintage goods year-round. You'll need all your yard sale skills to score at a rummage sale, but the prices may be lower and the crowds bigger at an event that's only held once or twice a year. They may be scheduled for a single day or take place over a weekend, with a final half-off-everything day when you can find a lot of things you might not have known you needed at very little cost. Some churches also have an annual Christmas sale that may include rummage as well as baked goods and handcrafted gifts.

It may be easier to find highly sought-after vintage collectibles at church rummage sales for several reasons. Older parishioners who donate to the sale may be clearing out a lifetime of collecting everything from embroidered napkins to Fiestaware. Something bought new in the 1960s may now be highly collectible, or it could be rare simply because it's become scarce over time. Since many churches only hold sales once or twice a year, they have months to accumulate donations, increasing the likelihood of discovering a vintage find. Just as at a thrift store, you may have to dig through a box of well-loved Hot Wheels before you find that 1969 Pink, Rear-Loading Beach Bomb worth $175,000 to add to your collection.

Keep an eye out for church sale announcements in your newspaper and local Facebook groups, but the only notice of an upcoming sale might be a sign in the church's yard. Check your community calendar or give church offices a call to see if they have a rummage sale scheduled. As with any event, such as a yard or estate sale, plan to get to the venue early. Bring someone with you if you're shopping for large items like furniture. They can stay with the piece and tell other potential buyers that it's spoken for while you go pay for it. Bring cash in case the church isn't set up for credit cards or online payment systems, and before you haggle, ask yourself if paying full price might just be better if the proceeds go to charity. Bring your own bags and be patient with the volunteers.