TOP 10 OP SHOPPING TIPS

Panmure ReStore Charity Shop (Habitat Auckland)

Top 10 tips for op shopping (shared from Brisbane Op Shop tours)

Tip 1.
Make a list of any items you want to look for
Like a boy scout, you have to be prepared!  Have you ever gone to the shop to buy milk or bread and made it all the way home with everything other than the milk or bread you went to get?
Honestly, the amount of times I’ve got all the way home before thinking “I didn’t look for …” is embarrassing, really!
If you are looking to buy for friends your children or other family members, make sure you have their clothing sizes written down.  It helps to have their measurements as well, as not all clothing is equal in size – especially if it’s from the UK, Europe or America – which can become quite confusing for us Aussies.
Draw around your kids feet and cut them out – put it in your notebook with their name and the date written on it – that way you can slip it into a shoe and see if, like Cinderella, you’ll find the perfect fit!
Making lists does a few things. Firstly it directs you.
Sometimes, Op Shops can be overwhelming because of their size (either big or small), so even for experienced shoppers, it can be easy to walk into an Op Shop and become overwhelmed.  Sometimes there is so much stuff crammed into a small space that you literally think “where do I even start?”
Put simply, just start with one thing on your list.
Another thing that making a list does is, it stops you from buying unnecessary items that you really don’t need.  That’s not saying you CAN’T buy stuff that isn’t on your list, but rather, if you are looking for dressy pants for work for example, it might stop you buying 14 pairs of shorts and a sweatshirt instead of what you were actually intending to look for!

Tip 2.
If you can’t find what you’re looking for, don’t be afraid to ask!
Ok so chances are there aren’t going to be a pair of your most coveted Christian Louboutin shoes out the back in a size 38.5, but sometimes Op Shops are so over run by donations that they simply don’t have enough space to put everything out on display.
If there’s something you’re chasing, and you can’t find it in their store, ask. You just never know what they might have out back waiting to be put out!

Tip 3.
Check it out!
Without sounding mean, and I do mean this with utmost respect, you need to check EVERY single piece out that you intend to purchase.
– Run your fingers around the rims of glassware and china checking for chips and cracks. Look for repairs to china around handles etc.
– Inspect all clothing seams, zippers, buttons, buckles etc are all intact and working. Make sure there are no stains, holes or tears.
– Make sure all parts of toys are there, or that barbie dolls don’t have chewed fingers etc (this is really, really common!)
– If you are prepared to buy something that you absolutely MUST HAVE, despite it being damaged, make sure it’s something that you actually will use and take the time to fix/repair the damage.

Tip 4.
Be Prepared to get down, and dirty!
Not all shops are created equal in terms of space and layout.  Some of the Shops we’ve visited on the tour require you to look up, down, under, in, around, outside.
Be prepared to dig through piles of toys, clothing etc and you may find a gem right at the bottom of the pile.    If clothes are hung on racks, you’ll be naturally attracted to certain fabrics or patterns, look at these ones first, then move on to the rest of them to make sure you haven’t missed anything worthwhile.  We know it can be a pain, especially in the hot weather and small shops that sometimes aren’t air conditioned, but where possible, try on clothing.
Make sure you dress appropriately.  Wear something comfortable.  If you are intending on shopping for clothing, wear something that you can easily take off/put on, and shoes that can be easily slipped on and off.  If you’re looking predominantly for clothing, an outfit like a skirt, a fitted singlet and a pair of flip flops can be wonderful.  A singlet is fitted enough for you to try on clothing over the top, and a skirt means you can pull up jeans/pants/other skirts underneath without having to worry about if there are fitting rooms available.  Trust me, I speak from experience when I say there’s nothing more annoying than having to untie and tie the laces of  your sneakers every time you want to try on a pair of jeans!

Tip 5.
Know your stuff
If you see that pair of Christian Louboutin’s that I talked about above, for $25, then you have hit OP SHOP GOLD! However, general rule of thumb is that if it looks too good to be true, it probably is.  A little older lady who works in the little local Church Op Shop may not know what Christian Louboutin’s look like, let alone their value, so you may end up hitting gold….but staff at an Op Shop in an affluent area might.
Knowing what items are worth is essential when Op Shopping. Know your brands.
We frequently see jeans that you buy at BigW for example, on sale for more than their full retail price, yet jeans that sell for $160-190 a pair, selling for the same price as BigW brands.
Luxury Brands are a whole other kettle of fish, but as I’ve worked with several luxury brands in the past (both Duty Free and Retail) I’m generally pretty good at spotting the real deal, so if you need help on the tour, just ask.

Tip 6.
Take your own Bags
Many Op Shops don’t offer a bag.  If you’re anything like me, you probably already have a hundred and fifty of those enviro-bags hidden in your garage, so make use of them.  This is also extremely helpful at the end of the day, because it’s quicker and easier to find your bags if you aren’t needing to sift through 40 identical grey plastic bags to work out who owns what … you’re welcome!

Tip 7.
Pack Hand Wipes/Hand Sanitiser
We carry these on the bus with us, but if you’re flying solo they are a godsend!  See Tip 4 about getting down and dirty? Well, sometimes that means so do our hands, so being able to freshen up without finding a bathroom is always a plus in my books.

Tip 8.
Take a small retractable tape measure 
These are the bomb-diggity!  It means that you can work with the measurements you have on your list to see if clothes will fit, check your own waist size etc if you are too lazy or it’s too hot to try on clothes.

Tip 9.
Bring CASH!
Not all Op Shops offer EFTPOS facilities, so it’s important to carry some cash with you on the day.

Tip 10.
Sense & Sensibility
Don’t fall into the “but it was cheap” trap… that dress you absolutely LOVE that has a hole in it, is only a rag unless you fix the hole and wear it!
And lastly, don’t forget to bring your sense of fun.
We know you will, but just in case!


Marilyn and her team look forward to meeting you at Habitat's newest Restore - 131 Pilkington Rd, Panmure ph (09) 2224160.