By: Dara Blanchette

In a country where people are constantly competing to have the next and best new product, thrift store shopping continues to thrive.

Low prices, the enjoyment of the hunt and so-called “reverse snobbery conspicuous consumption” are all factors in the thrift store experience, said Arden Pope, Brigham Young University professor of Economics.

“If a consumer’s preferences allow for lower-priced goods in one area, it leaves more money that could be spent in other areas,” Pope said. “Even if someone is affluent, they may not care as much about where their clothes come from but may spend the extra money saved on clothes on a new car or other goods.”

Other people enjoy thrift shopping for the thrill of the hunt, he said. It’s not just enjoyment derived from what they buy, but from actually going shopping.

Shoppers in Utah County have several thrift store options available to them, including two Deseret Indus-tries located in American Fork and Provo, Savers in Orem, and Community Thrift Relief — or CTR Thrift — also in Provo.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints receives millions of pounds of clothing in donations through their 46 Deseret Industries stores, 24 of which are in Utah. In 2005 the church provided 68,923 tons of surplus clothing that came through donations.

Another motivation utilized by thrift shoppers is a sense of pride found from shopping thrift stores, a phenomenon called “reverse snobbery conspicuous consumption.” Normal conspicuous consumption is concerned with having the best goods to show off, choosing brand names such as a Lexus instead of a Hyundai, Pope said.

In the case of reverse snobbery conspicuous consumption, someone is proud to be seen buying thrift and feels above those who buy name brand, Pope said.

Some patrons of thrift are motivated by a combination of these factors, while some shoppers only stick to one or two of them.

“We thrift shop to get something really cheap and to find what we need,” said Dave, who preferred his last name not be used. He said his thrift shopping is for specific items, such as athletic shorts with pockets for his son who plays tennis.

Nora Richards, a Provo native, shops for some of the same reasons.

“I can find good shoes for my husband and toys for my son,” she said.

Aubrey Tuttle, a Savers Thrift Store shopper, also enjoys the low prices.

“I shop for the price,” Tuttle said. “The clothes are cheap. At the mall I can get two shirts for $50 or 20 shirts from Savers for $50.”

Tuttle said she has another motivation for shopping at Savers.

“I love the fun of spending hours finding an outfit that might be cute,” she said.

Tuttle’s sister, Autumn Jackson, agrees. She said she enjoys thrift shopping because she saves money and she won’t be wearing the same thing as everyone else.

“All women like to shop and I can justify buying more clothes when they’re $2 a piece,” Jackson said.

Jackson also mentioned the satisfaction that comes from finding something that fits you at Savers rather than just getting it off the rack at a normal store.

Some of the “love of the hunt” shoppers gravitate toward specific sections or items that are rare or unusual.

“I’m mostly looking for antiques or collectibles, things that people don’t know are worth anything,” said Mike DePalma, a twice-a-week patron of Deseret Industries.

DePalma said his purchases include items like golf clubs or housewares, but his favorite purchase was a carved ivory elephant tusk. He said he stops by DI on a regular basis and just wastes time browsing for hidden treasures.

A more specialized thrift patron, James, who asked his last name not be used, said his favorite section is the old books and records.

“I look for LDS books and books on history, but my dream is finding woodworking or old blacksmith books,” James said. “They’re hard to find because of the number of professional pickers that come through early.”

Adam Christian is a books-only patron. He said he collects rare or good LDS books and loves to browse the shelves for hours.

“I stop in five days a week,” Christian said. “DI is on my way to work.”

He said DI is the only place he said he looks because of the convenience of its location.

Some shoppers tend to encompass all the motivations that drive thrift store shopping.

“People need a store they can afford,” said Rosie Arnold, a local resident who is a veteran of thrift shopping. “The world is full of stuff — enough for everyone if you can find it.”

Arnold said different stages in life call for different purchases at thrift stores. She said when you’re younger or newly married you look for furniture; as you grow older and have kids you want clothes for your kids. Her recent thrift purchases were home improvement supplies.

“I don’t go to Lowe’s or Home Depot when I do a project,” Arnold said. “I go to DI. People that buy new are stupid!”

Copyright Brigham Young University 5 Feb 2007