Thrift Math

Sometimes, we make mistakes while shopping. Some are little mistakes and some are bigger - and the bigger ones always seem to be 'the ones that got away', i.e. the one purchase you didn't (or couldn't) make.

While we can't guarantee that we'll never make another shopping mistake, we can reduce our chances by trying to apply a little logic to the process!

I've come up with this tentative 'formula' (I can't really bring myself to call it an actual formula, being such an arbitrary value and having no units!). I'm interested to see if I'll amend it, as I gain wisdom with my experiences (or so I hope!).

THRIFT VALUE = CONDITION OF ITEM x (% SAVINGS FROM RETAIL) x n

where n is the perceived value to the buyer (includes rarity (ease of finding same or similar item) and all the emotional attachment stuff that isn't very logical but I'd be stupid to omit that as a real variable!). Remaining useful lifespan is directly proportional to condition of item!

Does that make sense to you? Here's another way of saying the same:

A great thrift buy is:

• excellent value for your money (neither expensive or inexpensive itself, but much cheaper than you could get it elsewhere, new... and sometimes even used!)
• in perfect condition (or in near-perfect condition considering its age, etc.)
• useful or purposeful or bought to fill a specific need that existed prior to you discovering the item
• not so much an impulse buy but a carefully weighed purchase (even if the process of 'discovery' to 'desire' to 'purchase' takes just 5 minutes (or less!), you've still thought hard about it from many angles!)
• something you love (not like, not think is something you should like, or something other people like (unless you're planning to resell or gift it rightaway), or something you're not quite sure about but WOW WHAT A DEAL!). If you don't absolutely love it and it's not the greatest thing you've ever seen, then be very cautious - there are lots of good deals out there, you don't need to take advantage of all (or even most!) of them!

A poor thrift buy is:

• something you bought because you felt like buying something but didn't really put any thought into it
• something you don't need or have a good and frequent use for
• something in poor condition that needs a lot of work, or something that has a very short remaining lifespan
• something you don't have room to store
• something you can't picture working in several settings (particularly clothes and jewelry. Works with just one outfit? Red flag!)
• something with moving parts that you can't get some sort of warranty or limited return policy for 
• something super cheap for 1 Fr. - sometimes these cheap-o deals are the BIGGEST wastes of money (quite often, actually!). Don't be seduced by the low price! If it's useless, it's worthless - not worth 1 Fr. but 0 Fr.!

One thing to keep in mind is the PRICE of the item. This is very important! It's either more than you can (or should) afford, and therefore out of reach (that's ok - let it go), or it's above budget but doable, or it's right in the 'easily attainable' range, or it's a 'total steal' because it's so cheap.

PRICE ≠ VALUE! 

For example, my friend makes some of the jewelry she sells. She buys semi-precious stones (not cheap, oh my goodness they cost a pretty penny!) for beads, and so the cost of her bracelets and necklaces can be 50 Fr. - 100 Fr. Not cheap in terms of flohmarkt prices! BUT, she's totally fair in saying that they are a good deal at that price - they would cost considerably more in a retail outfit!

Similarly, she is selling a real garnet and silver ring (gorgeous: 100 Fr.), emerald and silver (hallmarked, of course!) earrings for 80 Fr., and a huge Tanzanite ring (I don't know how many carats! Lots!) for 400 Fr. or something.

Yes, those are very big price tags by flohmarkt standards. They're certainly not within my budget. BUT, they are actually still very good value for money, if you're into 'echte' jewelry!

It's important to remember that something expensive isn't necessarily good value (could be a rip-off). Alternatively, something that is very expensive might actually still be much, much cheaper than it would be anywhere else (and therefore is great value!). 

Similarly, something cheap might be a complete rip-off at 1 Fr. But for some reason, and I can speak for myself as well here, we don't value our 1 Fr. coins as we should. Remember the old adage: A penny saved is a penny earned!

Don't let people rip-off your 1 Fr. coins. Protect them. Save them. Put them to good use! Careless purchases can eat away at your thrift budget - make sure you're putting your money to the best possible use!

Hope it helps you with your next prospective purchase! Shop smart, thrifty friends! Shop smart at high prices and at low ones, too! :)

TiZ