how to op-shop like a pro

charity stores can be a treasure trove of excellent finds – as long as you know where and when to look (and what to leave behind).

Op shops can be overwhelming places – don’t expect to wander into your local St Vinnies for five minutes and find exactly what you’re looking for. Instead, you’ll probably need to roll up your sleeves and do some serious rummaging through the mountains of donated bits and bobs. Go with time on your hands, comfy clothes and patience by the bucketload. You might even like to make a day of it and map out a trail of nearby stores. ...................

On the topic of planning: don’t leave the house with an empty wallet. Though some charity stores are happy for shoppers to pay for their finds by card, many are cash only (they’re mostly dealing in tiny sums, after all), so start your op-shop jaunt with a quick trip to an ATM. This will also set you a budget of sorts, forcing you to stick to purchases you really, really dig. ...................

Travellers have long waxed lyrical about the benefits of going off the beaten track, and the same applies for the seasoned op-shopper. Think of it this way: the higher the foot traffic, the more picked-through the store – meanwhile, charity shops in quiet back streets, churches and less popular suburbs may be brimming with secondhand gold. If you’re up for a drive, country op shops are often chockas with ace stuff (and you’ll be getting in before it’s snapped up and sold online for 10 times the price). ...................

You might think you know exactly which section of the shop to browse in, but you’re more likely to find cool things if you go in with an open mind. When it comes to fashion, don’t be limited by gender or age – you never know what goodness might be hiding on the ‘men’s shirts’ rack. Dig deep into boxes and rifle through dusty shelves, checking out items that are a little more hidden away. Your favourite book may have landed on the wrong section of the bookshelf, and the last painting of the stack may be an unexpected jackpot.

That said, don’t snap up any old bargain you find. Chances are, it’ll just end up back in the same place very soon. Make sure you have room in your home or life for something before you commit to handing over your dosh – and if the idea of parting with it doesn’t fill you with dismay, perhaps you’re better off leaving it for another thrifty shopper. ...................

The hunt for good quality doesn’t go out the window just because something is secondhand, so do a quick scan of its current condition. Find a spot with good natural light and check for tears, scuffs or other imperfections. Is the ceramic vase cracked? Does the table have a wobbly leg? With clothing, check for missing buttons, stains, weird pongs, excess pilling or faulty zippers. ...................

Just because an item isn’t perfect doesn’t mean you should give it the heave-ho straight away. Look for potential: could you spruce your find up with a little DIY? Perhaps that dress you love would fit better with some simple tailoring! Often there’s an easy fix to a ‘problem’, from a careful clean-up to a fullblown revamp. Think outside the box and focus on the overall quality of an item, not just the finish. ...................

Unlike regular retail stores, op shops are always updating their stock, so make sure you check back in with your favourites on the reg. Weekend donations need to be sorted, so fresh goodies will often hit the floor mid-week – befriend the lovely volunteers and they may even give you tip-offs on discount days, or when something amazing comes in. And if you do come across an item you really, truly love, don’t leave it to buy another time. Ace stuff at a bargain price won’t hang around for long, so grab it before another eagle-eyed treasure-seeker does.