Date: Mon, 21 Nov 2011 14:23:37 -0500
From: Dawn Sunset
Subject: How Does Thrift Shop Make Profit with 50% off Sale?
How in the world can the Pittsboro Chatham P.T.A. Thrift Shop make a profit by having so many 50% off sales??
I think some of us have it figured out. About a week and a half before the big sale, any and all hard goods put out for sale are seemingly priced two and half times higher than usual. (a coffee mug that usually sells for $1.00 would be marked $2.50) That way, if it sells before the big sale, more profit. If it sells during the sale, more profit is made than if sold at the regular price. There are those of us that visit frequently and know the general price range of hard goods- and we do notice when prices are out of line.
Based on what I just read, did you not answer your own question. Not to mention that merchandise comes via donations. Last time I checked that would mean whatever price it is sold at, it is sold at a profit. The only question would be how much of a profit.
What an absurdly idiotic post. Basic economic lesson here for you: The thrift store runs a unique business model of selling donated items. Therefore, the COGS is 0, so any price greater than zero would be making money. Secondly, your accusation is false. Are thrift store prices out of line sometimes? Yes. But thats due to the fact that its (in most cases) a minimum wage position and the people working there are NOT experts in pricing used goods and half the time just make random guesses.
Now ive seen a lot of people get upset and take it very personally when they feel a price is too high. Having frequented thrift stores for years, i have seen instances where a product is close to or matches the price you could currently pay at retail. In a word, i have seen many prices that are “ridiculous”. This is generally the exception, not the rule.
All I can say is that if you dont like a price, dont buy it. What you shouldnt do is harass/insult the thrift store employee/cashier, who (in most cases) didnt even price the offending item. This is something i have seen before. What you shouldnt do is defame an entire organization that, while it may not be perfect, is contributing to our children’s education.
But i digress. If the thrift stores are supposedly a bunch of greedy sneaks, pricing items up before sales and the such, why do you (and so many) continue to go? They’re obviously a big ripoff. So i advise you to stop going.
No where else can you go to find (for the most part) items for 50-95% off retail price with sales to boot.