Finding treasures when op shopping

I love shopping more than anything and when I discovered op shopping I now love it even more.

Not knowing what you will come across has a great feel about it.

It’s always fun finding some unique treasures at the op shop or antique shop.

Here are some tips about op shopping to help you have a great experience:

Try not to be a sceptic

I have found so many pieces that I never thought I would find at an op shop. From brand new Wayne Cooper heels I purchased for $10 and they retailed for over $150. To a vintage chair I picked up for $10 it went perfectly in my beauty room.

Don’t forget op shopping isn’t always second hand goods sometimes big shops, designers and companies donate to op shops.

Look for quality

The good thing about buying second hand is that you can still buy quality clothes at a fraction of the price.

Be picky so you don’t end up with junk and things that will just be sitting in your wardrobe for years to come, look for real leather, silks, and high grade cotton. I love going through some knit tops.

I have found some brand new toys and things to keep my little one entertained. I found the Fisher and Price letterbox for $10, which retailed for $60 at the time.

Choose your op shops wisely

I find the richer posh areas have better things and great quality items. It’s not always the case but 8 out of 10 times it is.

Have a look here to see if there’s an op shop near you or an area that you will be visiting. I always try and add at least one op shop visit on my day’s journey.

It’s fun

Most of all it’s fun and you get a little buzz from it. You know that feeling when you have to go to the shops because you’re looking for a specific thing?

Well the beauty of op shopping is that you go there not knowing what you will find. I get a nice thrill like a treasure hunt and everyone loves a bargain.

Don’t forget to check out the jewellery section for timeless pieces that don’t date.

Go with the kids

It’s great to go with the kids, mine loves the toy section and points to everything while I get to have a look at the things that interest me. The toy section usually has so much variety to keep the little ones busy so you can have a decent browse.

Someone else’s junk can be another’s treasure.

Do you go op shopping? Please share your experience below.

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37 Comments

- - mom117465 said
  - 09 Jan 2017
    6:36 am
I think I need to follow some of these tips. Thanks for sharing! I wasn’t as lucky when shopping.

- - ams78 said
  - 05 Dec 2015
    7:16 pm
I love op shop shopping! The bargains are endless, they can be a minefield of treasures just waiting to be exposed! Definitely agree with wealthier suburbs often having near new quality, name brand products, however, ill check out any op shop store I come across, you never know whats waiting to be discovered.

- - mom160421 said
  - 30 Nov 2015
    12:39 pm
I don’t really enjoy shopping, but I’ll often donate to op-shops and am so glad that items can be recycled and the money raised goes to good causes.

- - mish06 said
  - 29 Nov 2015
    12:22 am
I love visiting these stores and finding surprises.

- - mom94378 said
  - 13 Nov 2015
    8:14 am
Its a fun way to shop I think.

- - mom81879 said
  - 10 Nov 2015
    6:44 pm
I have op shopped. It did nothing for me. I didn’t find any bargains, no lost treasures. Maybe because I don’t enjoy shopping much generally that I didn’t enjoy op shopping. Who knows

- - JessyJade190490 said
  - 04 Nov 2015
    5:13 pm
Ahhhh the loved choice of op shopping!! I remember when I was pre-teen, I went clothes shopping with my mum. We first went into a store like Big W I think it was… Anyways, I found a nice outfit that I like that was around $30, which was what money I had from a birthday. Anyways, I decided to put it off and go and have a sticky beak in the op shop with mum (she loves op shopping), and I found a whole new wardrobe for around the same price. It think it was about $5 more or something, but mum chipped in. So instead of spending my money on 1 outfit, I got like 8-10 different outfits… Definitely one of the better memories of my times with my mum… What a timeless activity to do =D

- - 4littlemunchkins said
  - 30 Oct 2015
    11:09 pm
We love going op shopping, have found some great bargains.

- - EllenG89 said
  - 30 Oct 2015
    3:14 pm
I love op shopping and have found many bargains in my time!

- - hopefullyheidi said
  - 23 Oct 2015
    7:47 pm
Don’t mind op shopping occasionally

- - mom113055 said
  - 14 Oct 2015
    8:57 pm
discovering shopping

- - mom94125 said
  - 14 Oct 2015
    8:30 pm
yes you can find a great bargain. we always donate as well

- - dbhall82 said
  - 12 Oct 2015
    9:15 pm
Yes!! I have found so many kids clothes and toys in wonderful condition so cheap! It is luck though!!

- - Bela said
  - 12 Oct 2015
    8:48 pm
My friend got her daughter a whole new wardrobe for $13 at an op shop the other day. The clothes were hardly worn and not a single stain! Decent brands too. Definitely worth the effort if you have the time.

- - natweeza said
  - 11 Oct 2015
    11:10 pm
Op shopping is great for childrens books and toys. Also you can sometimes pick up some good boardgames really cheap.

- - aprilb1 said
  - 11 Oct 2015
    7:15 pm
Op shops are the best! Love the little treasures you can find

- - mom113055 said
  - 11 Oct 2015
    1:49 pm
shopping find treasures

- - maureen3 said
  - 11 Oct 2015
    1:11 pm
An interesting article ,.I found many books at bargain prices and in very good conditin

- - crystalangela said
  - 11 Oct 2015
    12:38 pm
I love op shopping when getting pieces together for Costumes. It can save me a lot of time and money.

- - Cooka said
  - 11 Oct 2015
    12:14 pm
I love Op Shop Shopping!!! I dragged my partner with me to a few the other day, he thought I was bad with normal shopping, haha.