Thrift Stores Aren't Alone

     As a bargain shopper I've always stuck to surfing the racks at thrift stores. However, there are three other types of second-hand stores including consignment, classified and pawn. These are all places where you can save money while still getting stellar deals! The main difference between these four shops is the moment you surrender ownership of your items, when you get paid and whether or not someone else helps you sell your items.
     Consignment Shops: These shops will sell goods for the owner; the owner will retain ownership until the goods are sold. An example: If you consigned a stereo for $30 then the shop would take 50 percent ($15) and as the owner you'd receive the remainder of the money. Items are usually in place for 30, 60 to 90-day cycles. If the item fails to sell then it'll be discounted. Consignment stores are loved more by the buyers than the sellers. 
     Pawn Shops: Most people wouldn't believe that pawn shops are considered second-hand but they actually do meet the qualifications! As a seller you will surrender ownership of your items immediately when you receive payment for their worth. Two well-known chains that use pawn shop standards would be Plato's Closet and Half Price Books. The payment you receive from the store won't be affected if the store isn't able to sell your items; all the risk is now on the store itself. 
     Classifieds: This is a way to advertise for your goods by placing an ad in a newspaper or online source. Classified ads are popular because the fees that are required are significantly less than the ones charged by pawn and consignment shops. Craigslist is, hands down, the most popular option because it's free and gives the seller more control. E-Bay and Amazon are also examples of classifieds.
     Thrift Shops: Most of these stores are run by non-profit organizations and are donation-based. The donator will receive a tax-deductible receipt for the estimated cost of the items they give the shop. Most people enjoy donating their items because they know its for a good cause. The thrift store giants are Goodwill and the Salvation Army.
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