Second-hand stores are all the rage on clarkhoward.com

Used clothing stores are experiencing record numbers of sales in this down economy. That includes giants like Goodwill and the Salvation Army, along with smaller boutique-style shops like Plato's Closet.

People are also selling their belongings on Craigslist or eBay. Sporting goods are especially popular for sale whenever the economy gets rough. Even in a recession, you may get more money now as a seller than ever before; after all, there are so many more buyers competing to buy your wares.

Just know that people searching Craigslist expect to use a price as a mere starting point for haggling. Also, be wary if any out-of-towners contact you saying they want to buy. It could be a scam.

One major impediment that some people have to buying used clothing is the pride issue. If you think it's beneath you to buy used, that's fine; there are others who love snatching up the savings of 75% or even 90%. Clark himself has bought a few pieces of used formal men's wear for between $1 and $7 a piece!

What others are saying

Used DVD's
I've been shopping for used CD's for twenty years. Now I pick up used DVD's too. The prices on DVD's drop quickly. It's frequently cheaper to buy an older title than it is to rent it. There are several CD Warehouse locations still around that do both used CD's & DVD's, but you can't approach it expecting to find one specific item. You gotta go in with a see-what-you-can-find attitude.
By Dennis @ 10/30/08 07:42:29 AMreport abuse
Wealthy Neighborhoods
Growing up, we did most of our clothes shopping at second hand store. Even though I'm now 30 with a decent job, I still find myself in Goodwill shops quite often. One trick I learned many years ago is to go to the Goodwill in the most affluent neighborhood your can find. Usually the deals are the same, but the quality is near new and name brand.
By Chris @ 10/29/08 07:59:57 PMreport abuse
Bargains
I've always shopped at the thrift stores. The monitor on this computer comes from the GoodWill. It looks and works like new and only cost me $2.99. You don't get bargains everyday. You have to keep visiting the stores regularly to catch the bargains.
By Bob Hodgdon @ 10/29/08 12:21:16 PMreport abuse
Credit Cards
Can that NCR(National Card Registry) get into your account? They got into mine, they charge you $49.95. I just went thru hell to pull off this amount from my account. Do you know if is anything to avoid this happening again and, to others?
Thank you so much...
By ives @ 10/29/08 10:53:28 AMreport abuse
consignment stores
Clark, do you know the name of the store your daugther like to shop? I missed your part of your segment.
By angela @ 10/28/08 08:42:10 PMreport abuse

Used DVD's

I've been shopping for used CD's for twenty years. Now I pick up used DVD's too. The prices on DVD's drop quickly. It's frequently cheaper to buy an older title than it is to rent it. There are several CD Warehouse locations still around that do both used CD's & DVD's, but you can't approach it expecting to find one specific item. You gotta go in with a see-what-you-can-find attitude.

By Dennis @ 10/30/08 07:42:29 AMreport abuse

Wealthy Neighborhoods

Growing up, we did most of our clothes shopping at second hand store. Even though I'm now 30 with a decent job, I still find myself in Goodwill shops quite often. One trick I learned many years ago is to go to the Goodwill in the most affluent neighborhood your can find. Usually the deals are the same, but the quality is near new and name brand.

By Chris @ 10/29/08 07:59:57 PMreport abuse

Bargains

I've always shopped at the thrift stores. The monitor on this computer comes from the GoodWill. It looks and works like new and only cost me $2.99. You don't get bargains everyday. You have to keep visiting the stores regularly to catch the bargains.

By Bob Hodgdon @ 10/29/08 12:21:16 PMreport abuse

Credit Cards

Can that NCR(National Card Registry) get into your account? They got into mine, they charge you $49.95. I just went thru hell to pull off this amount from my account. Do you know if is anything to avoid this happening again and, to others?
Thank you so much...

By ives @ 10/29/08 10:53:28 AMreport abuse

consignment stores

Clark, do you know the name of the store your daugther like to shop? I missed your part of your segment.

By angela @ 10/28/08 08:42:10 PMreport abuse

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Oct 28, 2008 -- Second-hand stores are all the rage

What others are saying