Thrift stores seeing more middle-class shoppers

Although it's good that people are being frugal, but the way that this is being looked at is all wrong.

Yes, it's an increase in business for at least someone. But, it's even more so an indicator of a suffering economy. The products sold at Goodwill and the Salvation Army are considered inferior goods (their demand goes up when incomes go down) rather than normal goods being sold at retail stores.

In fact, the sale of used items doesn't even count in the U.S. GDP, so these sales don't really supplement the U.S. economy directly - mostly due to the fact that the demand for goods sold from retail stores (products that are being manufactured and therefore requiring jobs to produce) is going down because people are buying cheaper substitutes. When people buy products that aren't being MADE, then no one has those jobs to make those products.

Like the video said, a majority of these shoppers are middle class Americans. If they can afford more expensive products but are buying more inexpensive products, this means they're trying to save for the future, when they feel their buying power might not be as strong. They're trying to build up their future standard of living by lowering their current consumption. This means that a lot of people see, for themselves, a dismal future, which they're trying prepare for.

The Fallacy Here: It's like saying that if you break a window, it's in part a good thing because it keeps the window repairman in a job. But the fact is, if you didn't break that window, you would have had the money you paid to the repairman to use for something you wanted rather than had to pay for. Having that extra money rather than having to pay for the repair of you window would improve your standard of living.

It's like saying that Katrina was in part good because it employed lots of building contractors. But, as we all know, it was so much more devastating than that - if that hurricane hadn't happened, all those homeowners wouldn't have to spend on new homes and be able to live at a higher standard of living now than they currently are.

This (most likely) recession is essentially an economic Katrina, taking people out their homes (foreclosures), keeping business from growth (less available capital and credit), and resources now having to be spent to clean up the mess and repair the system (the bailout, coming to cost 2 trillion+).

The rise in spending at these thrift stores is an indication of people's fears about the economy. This shows that this rise is only because of damage to many people's incomes (the worst), people predicting that their income or standard of living will decrease in the future (preparing for the worst), and the economy as a whole is slowing down (the reason behind the worst happening).

I thrift at least once a week so reading this was really refreshing. I'm glad that more people see that thrifting isn't "dirty" and it really is just reusing goods...another way to go green.

Many complain that they can't find what they're looking for...searching is half the fun, in my opinion.

I went to the Good wheel near my house yesterday.

I did not see anything good. I will try the Salvation Army.

But if the yuppies who donated their new clothes that they never wore, how will we get them? Now that they are buying from the store instead of giving to it doesn't that mean less bargain clothes after a while?

It's hip to be a Hipster eh?

thats how we furnished our house!! it looks awsome BTW!

& if you go to a really nice neighborhood thrift, you'll find a LOT of high end designer things that the yuppies don't want anymore! true story.

I actually haven't been to a thrift store in a while, mostly due to the fact that the one's here a shit and the closest one's with descent clothes is about two hours away.

Thrift stores rule! I got a huge stack of books and a jacket for $7 bucks the other day!

Seriously. Thrift stores are so much fun. I found a jumper that looked like it belonged to tha Mario Bros once.

I love thrift stores. There are so many hidden treasures in them, it's fantastic. However, this to me is one more symbol of the dying middle class. Thrift shops are OK just to get weird stuff or look around, but when people are going they're for everything something isn't right.

I work at a consignment store which is not the same as a thrift store but a little different. Thrift stores get their inventory from donations which is awesome cause the prices are steals. Consignment stores get their inventory from the public as well, but people who bring their clothes make a percentage of the selling price.

So as the economy declines people can shop at the store I work at, and find cheaper prices, but also sell their clothes and make money! There are also consignment stores that will sell things other than just clothing, like cds, furniture, and other goods. It's a great way to save money and make money.

The same group of people who were too embarassed to go in before?? Definately a credit problem!

I hate my thrift store, its so ghetto, there is a lot of some bad influence in there, and just hate the stupid name brands there, but the only thing there i like is good old-fashioned candy! X3

Since when were thrift stores only for poor people? I've been reppin' my local thrift store for years

I'm completely addicted to state T-Shirts, which can be pretty pricey. I have found so many totally rocking state T-Shirts at unbelievable prices at Saint Vinnies and Good Will. 75 cents for a vintage Nebraska Cornhuggers T-Shirt...Hells Ya!!

I found a real Murakami Louis Vuitton bag at a Thrift Store....only cost me $20 ;)

Usually Im too impatient for thrift stores (finding things in my size)....I'll stick to discount sites like WhiskeyMilitia.com for my cheap shopping ^_^

Since when is this news? Well, maybe it is if you report that the ex-CEO crooks of Wall Street are in the thrift stores, too!

I think Americans would be well served in these down times, spending money in American stores, while supporting American charities. Its a win, win situation. The items I purchase may not have been made in America, but they are being sold in America, giving money to an American business, keeping it in America, often helping American charities..

Many people could be helped if we decide to keep our own economies moving by buying within our means, in our own country. Wall Street has failed us, Its time we start helping people and ourselves.

i love goodwill and the slavation army. its good to see people swallowing their pride and buying hand-me-downs rather than purchasing the smallest shirt they can possibly find at abercrombie or hollister.

I was just in Goodwill yesterday and the cashier was talking to the person ahead of me about this very same thing. I find it interesting. The cashier said the store has been abnormally busier lately and thought it was due to the sinking economy.

Interesting that this is the top story today I must admit.

I do love thrift stores...well every now and then. Now it's just more likely to be then than a now....

dammit, yuppie competition. thanks a lot, thriftstore newbs.

For the past few years I have watched people "Living Large". Im 53 years old and have lived a relatively modest life. I am happy where I am. But as I have watched people making larger and larger purchases, I would laughingly whisper to my husband, "Will that be Master Card, or Visa". I have always appreciated and cherished purchases made at thrift stores, garage sales and estate sales.

Estate sales are my favorite. Everything is for sale! They only have a few days so prices are reasonable. Even their household cleaners are sold. I could once a month, buy my cleaners at ridiculously low prices. I purchased a 27" television for $25.00. Everyone collects something. Its a bonanza when you come across a sale of someone who had shared your interests.

thrift stores rule!

...and while you shop at savers or salvation army, you help people

Time for consumers to take a slice of the humble pie. People are finally starting to realise that they can't afford to buy a $300 pair of jeans.

thrifting is my favorite hobby- last weekend I got a gold sequined clutch purse for 96 cents! You know it would have costed $30 at Macy's...

Yep. i've shopped at thrift stores all my life and sometimes even find brand new, designer stuff there.

i have some really cool dishes,lamps, picture frames from there too. And a 7ft tall ornate coat rack made of brass (real brass, not the paint on kind - it weighs a ton) that i got at the good will for $6.99!

good post. wake up people, shopping thrift stores is great on many levels!

who the fuck doesnt shop at a thrift store?
i've never met someone who hasent.

It seems people, myself included, have finally gotten sick of putting ourselves in debt by paying retail. However, we're the same people who bought the $200. jeans in the first place, got sick of them and donated/sold them to thrift stores. So, my question is, with all these people shopping there now, where will the inventory come from?

Marks and Spencer sells a coat made in Taiwan for £99

Matalan and Primark sell similar model made in Taiwan £35

If you purchase an expensive shirt with a sports motif Adidas Nike etc you buy a cheap shirt made by cheap labour in Taiwan with a sports label attached

My reasoning is if they can pay our top sport stars millions to wear and advertise their gear why can`t they GIVE me one free?

where else can you buy Hollywood blockbusters on VHS and albums on cassette tapes anymore?

I ONLY shop on Madison ave.

If they put a Savers there, I will shop there - but till then I will be spending no less that 145 dollars per white tee (no really, they sell for that much).

Maybe there's just more middle-class fancy dress parties...

I think its got less to do with the economy and more to do with middle class people reading gossip and fashion mags and wanting to emulate Kate Moss and her posse who rave about them.

It's about time more people start using what's already available for less, instead of spending money they don't have in order to perpetuate self-illusion that the economy is what it used to be.

Just another secondhand diamond in the rough that many of us have polished over the years (me included).

One thing I've come to understand: economy and humility trumps excess and apathy any day.

I have found some good deals at the thrift store. I plan to start shopping a vintage store that sells 1940's clothes.

I have been a thrift store shopper for years. It really is the best way to go green: reduce ,reuse, recycle!

It is hip to buy and wear second-hand clothes as long as you can afford to mix and match them with high fashion pieces. It does not really have anything to do with people thinking you can look great for less money.

Good, now maybe someone will buy up all of those broken Hungry-Hungy-Hippos games, the creepy paintings of big-eyed children (or paint-by-numbers clowns), and all of the Air-Pop! popcorn makers from the 80's.