7 Places to Buy Secondhand That You Haven’t Thought Of

Thrifting, the art of buying secondhand, can become quite addicting. The thrill of finding something unique in a back alley charity shop is quite special. In fact so special that it can lead you to go to great lengths to seek out the unusual, quirky, off-the-beaten-track places, in search of that elusive find.

As secondhand shopping grows in popularity, I’ve started branching out to new places to thrift. If you’re looking for new places to search for a bargain, here are some of my favourite places that aren’t the charity shop. 

1. Car boot sales (or flea markets)

Car boot sales may be a uniquely British institution, but there are similar flea markets all over the world. Usually located in a big field, every man and his dog can turn up and sell things they want rid of out of the back of their car. 95% of what you see will be better in the bin, but it’s possible to find absolute gems. Small pieces of antique furniture are common, as are books and clothing. You’ll have to root around but you may well be rewarded with something completely unique! 

It’s common for car boot sales to charge entry to punters on a tiered basis, so early birds will pay more but get the best pickings, while later entry is cheaper but you risk all the good things being gone. It’s up to you to decide which you’d prefer, but personally I like to be there as close to opening as possible, not least because you beat the crowds.

2. Reclamation yards

A reclamation yard is home to all manner of antique and used homeware, masonry and fittings. Think antique baths, Victorian tiles and art deco fireplaces. Depending on where you live, prices can be as high or even higher than buying new, but you’ll have something original and possibly better made than you could find in the shops. Some yards now have online catalogues so you can browse and reserve online, which is good if you’re driving a long way. Sometimes you will have to turn up and hope for the best, but consider it part of the fun!

Some of my favourite pieces in our home were found on the street

3. Side of the street

It’s not uncommon for people to want to get rid of things and to just leave them on the side of the street. While it’s technically illegal for people to leave things on the street (so please don’t do it yourself!) it does mean you can pick up bits and pieces for free. 

Some of my favourite pieces in our home were found on the street, including a beautiful peacock chair which was in need of a little repair to the seat, and the sideboard below which with a little love has turned out beautifully! 

There’s quite a lot of luck involved, but you can also take matters into your own hands and seek out areas that are more prone to fly tipping. Make sure you check things over carefully before you take them, and if I were you, I’d avoid any soft furnishings just in case. 

4. Freegle and Freecycle

Another way to pick things up for free is via Freegle or Freecycle, two websites where people list things you can collect for free. My favourite way to use these sites is via an app called Trash Nothing, which collates the local groups you choose on Freegle and Freecycle into one place. You need to get into the habit of checking it regularly as good pieces go incredibly quickly. It’s also likely that you’ll have to clean or repair things you find, so if you want something fuss free, this probably isn’t for you.

On a side note, these sites are also great for finding plant cuttings, so if you’re looking for something in particular, pop up a request and see if someone is happy to share!

5. Thrift+

Thrift+ is an online secondhand store, selling clothes, shoes and accessories that people have donated. They focus on quality, so you won’t have to sift through lots of high street items in poor condition. If you’re looking for something specific but don’t want to buy new, this is an excellent place to start.

I also love how easy it is to donate. You just order a bag, fill it and arrange for it to be collected. Once it arrives with the team they will list it on the site for you. You can choose to donate the profit to charity or to split it half and half so you earn some of it back in credits to spend on the site. I’ve done it a few times and it’s now my go-to way of passing on good quality items I can no longer wear.

6. Vinted

You’ve probably heard of Depop, but you may not know of a similar app called Vinted. Because it’s less well known, prices tend to be a little lower and it’s easier to negotiate with sellers. It’s also a great place to go for children’s clothes. I’ve found bundles of brand new clothes for both of my children at really reasonable prices. When you’re buying just make sure to factor in that there is also a buyer’s fee which is between 3 and 8% of the purchase price.

7. Family and friends

You may well have thought of this one, but I’ve included it anyway because I think many of us could be more open about sharing items with family and friends. Often people will give things away or even dispose of them just because they don’t know it has value to someone - like the time my husband’s father chopped up an original Ercol table and chairs for firewood! If you’re looking for something, ask friends and family if they have one they don’t need. It’s surprising how often people are glad to have you take things off their hands.

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