Anyone that knows me knows that the heading up there couldn’t possibly be referring to a post that I have written. I am HOPELESS (shouting that!) at finding the good stuff in op shops. Where a fab gal like Megan from The Byron Life can stroll in and snap up six covetable things in six minutes for six bucks, I will skulk around the aisles seeing dagginess everywhere and fretting that I’m dreadfully uncreative and uncool. So when a fab gal like Megan posts about her op shopping adventures, I just think “Wow, I wish I could do that, I’m so uncreative and uncool.”
Now, don’t mind me, I’m just off to my local Vinnies… over to you, Megan.
1. Gold!
Let’s define this first, because what is op-shop gold to me will be different for you. I’m a big fan, for example, of 1970s ceramics and floral vintage bed sheets, but that’s not everyone’s style.
TIP: Don’t waste time flicking through the box of surfing mags in the op-shop when your kind of gold would be a vintage tablecloth.
2. Find the Goldmine.
Where do you shop? It’s no good looking in a dusty little op-shop that specialises in retro bric-a-brac (my dream op-shop, btw) when what you are really after is a brand-new designer skirt for $3. For that kind of gold you are better off seeking out an op- shop that has boutique-seconds and/or specialises in designer clothes only.
TIP: Get to know which op-shops hold the most promise of gold for you.
3. Be there, or miss out.
Op-shopping is a numbers game. The more you play, the greater your chances are of finding gold. You need to know where the op-shops are in your area and you’ll need to visit them regularly. Make a morning of it and trek through as many op-shops as you can in one go. Always keep in mind what kind of gold you are after and head towards the shops where you have had success before. Or, maybe you have been doing the same old circuit for too long and the gold has all dried up? It happens to the best of us. Never fear, grab your gold pan and start exploring some new op-shopping territory further afield if you’re able to.
TIP: Take an op-shop tour. Map out a route and make like a tourist in a different town or suburb to find new goldfields.
4. It’s all in the timing.
There are various theories about when is the best time to op-shop. Some have it that Monday and Tuesdays are The Golden Days – which makes sense because many goods are donated over a weekend. Of course, the danger in restricting yourself to a Tuesday is that Friday may be the day that the head op-shop lady declares a 50% off sale across the whole shop…
TIP: Whatever day you choose, I find hitting the op-shops early is the best trick – it’s less likely to be “picked over” by fellow gold seekers.
5. Get Creative.
For me, the best part of op-shopping is wandering around dreaming of the way I might transform op-shop “trash” into new treasure. I look at it with a creative eye: An old wool sweater can be made into a new pair of warm baby pants; a ripped retro sheet can be used to make a new toy-stroller cover or that 50c Little Golden Book can be turned into a new journal.
TIP: Treat op-shops like art/craft supply shops and let your creativity run wild.
6. All that Glitters is not Gold.
Just because it’s cheap, doesn’t mean you have to buy it. Given how affordable op-shopping is, there’s always the temptation to come home with a bag of treasures. But, if the clothes don’t fit, that toy can’t be fixed or that rug won’t suit your home – then all you’ve done is bought more clutter… and clutter is not gold.
TIP: Ask yourself this before you buy: Do I really need it? Will I really use it? Do I have space for it?
Most importantly: Have fun! Every time you buy from an op-shop you are saving yourself some money; you are recycling “stuff” that would otherwise go into landfill and your dollars will be supporting a charity – what’s not to love about that?
therhythmmethod says
LOVE that recovered stroller! A rollercoaster print is perfect for getting out and about for some serious exploring.
Great tips. Love the op shop.
ClaireyH says
lately I have been finding a lot less gold and a little too much trash. But I will keep going.
I recently learnt the idea of buying old sheets to use as cheap material to practice my (lack of) sewing skills on.
Diminishing Lucy says
My school mum friend Karen is an op-shopper pro – I am SO printing this out for her!
Sissy Sparrows says
Gold Finds!!! I love the transformations of your finds..I could spend hours in our op shops!
Rebekah says
It’s so hit and miss for me. Although lately a lot more miss.
Great post, thanks x
Life In A Pink Fibro says
I love Megan’s blog – and this is a wonderful post – even if my op shopping experiences are a lot like Maxabella’s. But no longer!
Abbie says
Great ideas!!
I love the kitchen canisters.
I sometimes have the trouble of drawing the line.
Will I use it?
Do I need it?
Or will it clutter my house?
I can be a pack rat.
Mel says
I love the fabric, I’ve been skulking through Op Shop aisles throughout the Hunter Valley trying to find vintage fabric to use to make bunting for our wedding!
Love the ceramics, I have a thing for the round bottom pottery mugs 🙂
And those canisters are to die for, I have similar, though from Ebay not OpShop!
Love love love the baby pants, delicious!
MamaWestWind says
Love this! That little dress is adorable and the pants as well. I’ve never heard the term “op shop”, love it! We call it thrifting around here.
Becca
Deb_in_oz says
Great post – thanks for introducing me to another great blog.
I am very hit and miss with op shops. My best find to date was a Gucci wallet i still use (cost $8), but so often i find Aussie op shops trying to charge way too much ($15 for a Target 2nd hand top???). Love those mugs and am sure my local op shops woudl charge $5 each easily!
Tara @ Mum-ments says
I have always wanted to go op shopping and find little diamonds in the rough but never knew where to start!
i do now!
xx
Christie says
Megan I have just returned from an op shopping expedition (I tag it on the front of my weekly grocery shop). Today’s gold was a big chunk of pink and white stripey stretch material, blue floral stretch material, two sewing/crocheting encyclopedias and a big bag of soft toy filling (for the day I finally make a softie). Oh plus some gumboots for Miss 6 and two crochet hooks. Absolute gold in my book. And so are these tips! xx
Brenda @ Mira Narnie says
now here i was thinking that you’d struck gold at your local vinnies Bella! But what an awesome array of tips from Meagan about Op Shopping!! i do love it, and have my favourites, but i love her tip of widening the field. my favourite are Country oppies – they are FULL of gold! and your are right – that little girl is just so cute! xx
Littlemissairgap says
Ahhh!!! How could anyone throw away a Dick Bruna game??? And btw … no need to visit op shops to find retro 70’s mugs, just trawl through a few school staff rooms. You’ll strike gold!
Leonie says
Yay love these tips, and LOVE Megan’s Blog!!! Its one of my faves.
SquiggleMum says
This post is gold!! I love popping into my local op shops, you know, just in case…
Naomi says
I am a serious op shopper. I have my favourite stores I go to and always come away very pleased. I have been finding my ‘financial library’ of great money books at op shops and getting each book for about 50 cents or $1. A bargain! Great post! N x
Michelle says
I go through spits and spurts where every Saturday for a month I’m on an endless hunt for op shop gold … and then I wont venture near them for months! I use to only ever buy clothes but now I’m looking for unusual homewares jugs, bowls and special little trinklets to dress up rooms. You have some great finds there 🙂
Sannah says
I am exactly the same as you when it comes to op-shops Maxabella! I only ever seem to find junk whereas friends manage to find gold. I am definitely going to take this list and try harder to find some op-shop gold! Thanks for the post!
Kymmie says
I sure do love to op-shop, but I can see people do it far better than I. But I still do okay and am proud of my purchases!
xx
Amanda says
I love this post! Thanks.