I tend to frequent Thrift Stores a couple of times a week.
You never know what you'll find, and at a pretty good price. I did a search of this topic and found one hadn't been done. (If so I apologize).
I for one like to explore and "hunt" for stuff that others think is junk and I don't want to compete with the daily prep/today thread. I think Thrift Stores are a great way for folks both experienced as well as new to prepping get some great stuff at a great price and I think alot of people tend to overlook these potential goldmines of survival/prep stuff. Who knows, if this takes maybe this'll get "sticky" status.
Post your prep/gear finds below. The only request is that your post has to have been found at either a not for profit (Salvation Army, etc.) or private (for profit) Thrift Store.
Here are a few of my finds in the past few weeks:
1950's Era Coleman Gasoline Burner/Stove $3.90
Alice Pack Frame with Woodland shoulder straps and kidney belt, and Medium Flying Top Bags black canvas bag/backpack that is ALICE convertable in like new condition. $7.00 (I already had the tan butt pack, molle aircrew knife holder, molle grenade pouches, aircrew SDU-5 light and pouch, USGI flashlight and ALICE holder and an East German Rain Patterned Holster for my PPK/S).
I've also found an electric Makita Sawz-All in the old style metal case with new blades and in good condition for $10.00
Good score. I have that exact stove but mine was free. In case yours doesn't work well, feed it a little gas carb/injector cleaner in the fuel and let run full open for the full tank. Parts are hard to come by for these great little units. Does it the wrench?
I'll tell ya, I didnt know what I was missing by not having an ALICE pack. I was using a 3 Day MARPAT Condor bag, just didnt feel right on my lower back, even after "thinning" out some gear. This ALICE...feels oh_so_nice.
I picked up a dining room table with 3 leafs that can seat from 4 to 8 for 100, also got a full size oak bed frame with head and foot boards for 45.00. Found a brand new still with tag fishing vest for 5.00. assorted cutlery and pots, pans, cheapo coffee maker for camping all for 15.00. Though I still take my french press for the coffee.
Snagged a pair of Propper OD Green BDU trousers (with tags still on them) for $3.00 and a pair of USMC Desert Marpat trousers in great shape for $3.99.
(The Thrift Store I bought them at this morning has a 25% discount off all items on Monday).
Haha, the local Salvation Army doesn't have anything remotely close to stuff like that! The best I've come up with are some wool pants for my GHB that cost $2.
I hit thrift stores somewhat regularly. But I rarely find any real prep items. Occasionally I'll find an old Swingaway can opener or something. It's fun going and sometimes I find a deal on something I want, but good prep finds seem few and far between here. Same with garage sales. Though I still check them out occasionally too.\
I always love to see other folks finds though. It keeps me hoping! And I'm happy for them.
I hit thrift stores somewhat regularly. But I rarely find any real prep items. Occasionally I'll find an old Swingaway can opener or something. It's fun going and sometimes I find a deal on something I want, but good prep finds seem few and far between here. Same with garage sales. Though I still check them out occasionally too.\
I always love to see other folks finds though. It keeps me hoping! And I'm happy for them.
i go to yard sales every weekend during the spring and summer because i got a booth at a local antique mall. and ill find about 10-15 good deals on prep stuff out of about 30-36 weekends(some weekends it rains) so thats about 40-45% of the time. what i do is look in the news paper and craigs list for camping /hunting/fishing items in the yard sale add.if i just go on sat. i dont go to any sale that started on friday because all the good deals have already been taken but if another yard sale has taken me to that neighborhood i might stop at one that was going on friday just because i was in the neighborhood anyway.i do avoid pro. estate sales those ppl will try and sell the items to high for me. usually they are priced ok if your useing it for yourself but not cheap enough for me to resale it at my booth.
sidenote: to me what is a good deal is an item i can sell in new condition for about 3/4 of what it sells for in the store, yet i triple my money. so lets say i find a backpack that sells for $100 new in the store i have to sell it for no more than $75 if its in like new conditon (less if its looks used but in very good condition $50) that means i will pay no more than $25. odds are most women dont have any idea of the cost of camping/hunting/fishing equipment.odds are i will probably get it for around $5-$15.if i get an item for super cheap like if i got the backpack for $10 i would sell it for $30 for a quick sell. dont forget the thrift stores are doing the same thing im doing... going to yard sales and auctions...ect. antiques are a roll of the dice you wouldnt believe how much ppl will pay for an old broken down item.
Yesterday on the way home I saw 2 pressure cookers in the front of an antique store. I flipped around and checked them out. Both had $5 stickers on them. Both had the adjustable weights and gauges, but both were missing seals. I whipped out my Android and punched in the make and model to find out that seals were still available.
WooHoo! Two 8 quart pressure cookers for $10. Oh and they both had the baskets still.
I see pressure cookers occasionally. Which brings up a point. I paid full price for mine because, like many, I thought the world was going to end tomorrow. It didn't. If people will be patient and keep their eyes open, they can get prepped for a lot less money than if they run out and buy everything they think they need, right away. I overspent in a big way, on many things that I could have bought just a short while later for much less.
I freqent the thrift shops too, love finding cool stuff for cheap.
My most recent finds
I got a $ 50 Kelty rain jacket for $10
A pair of Capp3l Snowboarding pants sell for over $100 for $6.
HD Truck tire chains with extra tensioners, 31x10.5 for $ 7.99
I got a vintage (yet nearly mint) Boy Scout Red Wool shirt/jac for my oldest son for $8. They are at least $60 new. The vintage patches on the jacket are worth more than $8
2 packages (20 pcs brand new, sealed each bag) of Plylox "Hurricane Clips"; used for temporarily mounting plywood over your windows during a hurricane or whatever reason you want to board your windows; $1.49 per bag
The wife scored a huge Autoclave, That is identical to an All American Pressure Caner in design, only larger than their largest model...I had to remove the guts and install a new pressure gauge and an extra safety vent to fill a hole not normally found on the caners...All told about $60. Yea I saved all the internals...
I had to laugh when the Wife returned from a doctors visit...She saw the nurse using a small pressure cooker as an autoclave, and told he that we use an autoclave as a pressure cooker...She wanted to trade until the wife told her how big it was...
Another place to check is the local metal scrap/recycling yard. I have scored big at the yard...
A few months ago I found a new looking Redfield scope (early 80's made in Colorado) variable scope for $4.50 (SCORE)!,
I also found 3 nice kero heaters made in Japan with battery ignition for $10 each. One came with the can half full of Kero.
A brand new looking London Fog Formal trench coat with liner (Made in the USA) for $5
Brand new safety toe cowboy boots $5
I visit thrift stores about 2 to 3 times a week. These are my best finds
2 army issue wool blankets, 2 sets of rain gear, numerous black granite enamelware pots/pans, full stocked military first aid kit ( we just kept the packaged bandages/gauze/implements and tossed the dated liquids/creams, flannel sheets( multiple uses for these) That's off the top of my head, we go weekly and always find good items ... we paid $3 or less for everything except rain gear.
A Used but in great shape Granite Gear Vapor Flash Backpack with the Lidlock top attachment.
Retails new between $179.00 -$249.00 (Depending on who is selling it).
I paid $8.90
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