Would you drive two hours each way to visit a single thrift store? If someone you trusted said it was the best one in the state, you just might. Arizona creator @lalehfinds did exactly that, and the payoff was a display case that would make any shopper do a double take.
“I live in Arizona, and thrifting can be life changing if you know where to look,” the creator says in the clip. “I drove four hours round trip for this specific Goodwill.” Walking in, the creator was greeted by a case of Gucci, Chanel and Louis Vuitton. “Those four hours do not matter,” comes the verdict. The tip came from a friend, whom the creator calls the “OG Arizona thrifter” and identifies as Beka Thrifts. On top of the display case, the creator also found six Coach purses, and counts them out loud: “not one, not two, not three, not four, not five, but six adorable Coach purses.”
There was one limit on the visit. The creator only had about 30 minutes in the store, so there was no time to look through the clothing racks. Even so, the creator calls it “by far the best Goodwill I’ve ever seen in Arizona.” The post does not name the store’s location or list prices, so we will not guess at either. It ends with a thank-you to the friend who pointed the way.
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@lalehfinds
Why a Goodwill might have a case of designer bags
To many shoppers, the idea of Chanel and Gucci at Goodwill sounds surprising. But donated goods come from all kinds of homes, and now and then, a well-kept designer piece lands in a donation bin. Some stores keep their most valuable items in a locked display case near the register, which helps prevent theft and gives the staff a place to price them carefully.
Goodwill has also worked to make sure those luxury items are the real thing. In January 2019, Retail Dive reported that Shopgoodwill.com, the online site used by several Goodwill organizations, would use an AI-based authentication service from Entrupy to verify luxury accessories. Goodwill employees check donated items as they arrive, before they are listed online. The companies said the technology verifies items with 99.1 percent accuracy, and its database covers styles from brands including Chanel, Gucci, Hermes and Louis Vuitton. Items found to be fake are taken apart and reused, for example as craft materials or textile recycling. The report added that independently run Goodwill stores may also use the tool for in-store sales.
It is worth remembering that each Goodwill is run by a local organization, so practices differ from store to store. The article does not say whether the store in this clip uses that service, and the creator does not say either. If you are buying a luxury item, it is still smart to do your own checking.
How to check a Coach bag before you buy
Coach was the brand the creator found six times over, so it makes a good example. A guide on the ShopGoodwill blog explains that most Coach bags have a small leather tag, the creed patch, sewn inside. Since 1994, the style code has followed a pattern of a letter, one or two digits, another letter, a dash and four digits. The first letter tells the month of manufacture and the digits tell the year. Bags made before 1994 may have unique serial numbers, and some have none.
The guide suggests searching for the word Coach plus the style number and comparing photos, checking that the date fits the look of the bag, and inspecting the leather, stitching, hardware and logo alignment. It also says a missing number does not automatically mean a bag is fake. Since the blog belongs to a retailer and draws on collector discussions, treat its advice as a starting point rather than a final word.
Is a long drive to a thrift store worth it?
For this creator, clearly yes. But before you fill the gas tank, a little planning goes a long way. Here are a few tips.
- Ask other thrifters. Local shoppers often know which stores in the area get better donations, and a friend’s tip can save a lot of guesswork.
- Check the store’s hours and any special sale days. Some locations run discount days or color-tag sales that change what you will pay.
- Allow more than 30 minutes. The creator ran out of time to look through the clothes, which is a common regret on a big visit.
- Set a budget. Designer items at thrift prices can still add up quickly.
- Bring a snack and water. A long trip is easier when you are not hungry.
- Combine the trip with other stops. Visit nearby thrift shops or antique stores so the drive pays off twice.
Be a smart buyer of designer goods
If you see a case full of luxury bags, it is natural to feel your heart pound. Take a breath before reaching for your wallet. Ask to look at each bag closely, check the stitching and hardware, and look inside for date codes or serial numbers. Compare the price to what similar bags have actually sold for, not just what sellers are asking. Staff members can usually tell you whether the store has any return policy.
You do not need to be an expert to enjoy a day like this. A good attitude, a bit of research and a friend with great advice are plenty. As the creator shows, the best thrifting often begins with a tip from someone who has already been there.
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