5 hacks to find hidden gems in secondhand shops

1. Have a vision

With all the bits and bobs in secondhand shops, it’s easy to get distracted. That’s why I always have two things with me: a paper shopping list and a Pinterest mood board on my smartphone. The latter gives me an idea of which colours, styles and designs I’m looking for. When in doubt, I hold potential purchase objects next to the mood board, allowing me see whether it harmonises or not. This also has a great side effect – I don’t make as many impulse purchases.

2. Think outside the box

Don’t expect to come across that exact product by a specific brand in the right colour and size. Not that this can’t happen, but it rarely does. Unless you’re looking for Coca Cola-branded water glasses, which are everywhere. Instead of looking for something really specific, look out for potential. In other words, look for items that are comparable to what you’re looking for and could be repurposed, repainted or otherwise spiced up to turn them into what you want. Or maybe you could buy several products, take them apart and combine their elements to create something new? Here’s an example: The other day, I was looking for a cord necklace, as presented by my colleague Stephanie Vinzens here:

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  Guide

  90s cord necklaces are back – and this is the easiest way to make your own

  by Stephanie Vinzens

3. Take a close look – and then look again

I never used to find anything at secondhand shops and was fascinated by my friends who seemed to pick up loads of gems. Although I must say you need to be lucky, you can always force luck by looking really closely instead of just scanning. Bend down to inspect the bottom shelf, pull out stacks of plates and go through all of them. You often have to literally dig around to find hidden treasures.

4. If the price feels to high, it probably is

secondhand shopping is an environmentally friendly alternative, but not necessarily a cheap one. It seems to me that prices in some secondhand shops have skyrocketed, especially in recent years. In some cases, items cost more than when you buy them new. That’s why I go by a simple rule: if the price tag doesn’t put a smile on my face, I ignore the product and keep looking. Small secondhand shops in rural areas are usually cheaper than ones in cities, which can be quite overpriced.

5. Go again and again

As I mentioned earlier, there is some luck involved in secondhand shopping. To maximise your chances of finding a bargain, I recommend making regular trips to several shops. This reduces the risk of leaving empty-handed. And look out for secondhand shops you’ve never been to before to keep things exciting. Trust me, it’s worth it.