Clever man! My question is - how do you sift through all the shit to find something that you think might be valuable?! I mean I get it's easy enough to value it once you've done that using the likes of google or ebay...
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For thrifting, I frequent the same 15-20 stores, so I get used to the feel of their inventory and have a semi-photographic memory of the stuff that sits on the shelves to ignore it when I revisit. After you go often enough, you get the hang of identifying what's of high quality, rarity or high value through a sharper eye, memory, and developed instincts. I try not to dig too much and simply flow through the store for what my radar can spot before moving on to the next place. I'm sure I miss some stuff, but I'd rather be efficient. There are also peak times that stores put new stuff out, so I try to go around then. I even ask managers or employees what the forecast is and what day I should come back. Every little bit of dialogue and research helps me be the most efficient with my time.
Digging around in a thin store for an extra 30 minutes to find $75 isn't worth the lost time in checking out 4 more stores and staying ahead of the competition. You kind of self-regulate once you see someone grab a $1,000 item right in front of you as you walk in the store that was yours if you'd gotten there a minute before.
For recycling hunts, most stuff is highly visible on top of piles or standing alone, or in clear plastic bags to see from the outside. Since I'm virtually doing this all by myself at night, I can take my time to look up the things that catch my eye casually. However, I tend to see a lot of the same types of things and have developed a memory bank of what I want to bring back to sell.
Nothin' like being a thrifty bugger, writing about how goddam thrifty you are and making a cool 130 dollars (roughly after deductions), I applaud you sir!
Thanks for taking the time to give such a detailed reply too. I need to get my arse in gear and find me some thrift. I'm in Barcelona though, not the best place, but there are still opportunities!
I was just in Barcelona this Spring. Had a great time there wandering around aimlessly for 5 days as planned. Spent a bit too much time in the casino though!
Oh no...I didn't know there was a casino here (I avoided asking anyone for this exact reason).