I am a bargain shopper but I didn't get into going to thrift stores until around 2014. When I first joined the forum, it was because my teenage daughter had spent her hard earned money buying a purse and a wallet with no discounts from a
Coach boutique. I wanted to show her you didn't have to spend that much to get what she wanted so I started looking at contemporary Coach on ebay. I did find some bargains but I also found some fakes, which is how I found the forum, and which led ultimately to me becoming an authenticator. I didn't get interested in vintage until Katev started showing off her rehabs. At first, I wasn't attracted to it because it was vintage or better quality; I just wanted to be able to transform something. It appealed to the crafter in me. Ironically the first vintage bags I bought on ebay were in perfect condition and didn't need any rehabbing.
In 2014, we drove cross country, shopping at thrift stores along the way for something to do. It was a good way to drive around new towns and get a feel for the area. We met interesting people. I shopped for vintage Coach because it was something I knew and liked. Ever since then, whenever we travel, we go to thrift stores. It took me a long time to get over the ick factor with buying thrift. I don't mind vintage Coach because I know I can get them completely clean with dunking. But even clothes that I know I can wash, I still feel funny about those that touch the skin. I love my thrifted down jacket. I can't see myself ever buying used shoes. I bought a used stand mixer. Even though I washed it thoroughly, the first few times I felt kind of icky using it.
Now I know that many people who sell on ebay get their items from thrift stores but when I was first buying, if I was buying used, I imagined I was buying from the original owner, and it didn't seem as icky.