How to prepare for an op-shopping expedition
Op-shopping. It should be simple, but sometimes it’s not.
I touched on this topic in Dressing for an Op-Shop Outing, but I thought I’d go into it a little more. A lot of people forget certain things about op-shops.
One, they don’t always have Eftpos. Most do nowadays, but a lot of the smaller op-shops run by churches don’t. I would recommend taking some cash when you go op-shopping.
Two, take some green bags! This post was actually inspired by a post Kelly from You Got That At An Op Shop’s wrote, in which she states ”Op Shop Rule No 14: Bring Your Own Bags! Teaming with the theme of Earthwise, this rule is simple really. Not only will you be doing the planet a favour, you’ll also find if you bring your own green bags, you’ve got more room for more goodies!”
Adding to her advice, many stores are no longer providing bags anyway. If you’re not on the green bag wagon yet, jump on! (And on that note, Kelly offers heaps of great op-shopping tips at her blog. Strongly recommended!)
I would also recommend (tip three!) wearing a comfy handbag. I think Kelly may also have mentioned this somewhere… Some one mentioned somewhere about how much sorting through rack upon rack of clothing can hurt your arms. Agreed! I find wearing a light shoulder bag helps. One of my personal favourite handbags is an arm tote, and it’s really uncomfortable to sort through clothes with. My arm starts to feel tired after about the fifth rack.
Tip number four is to wear comfortable shoes. Do you want to know a secret? I personally love winter because I can wear all of my really cool flat boots – I suffer from bunions and find a lot of sandals and flats really uncomfortable during summer. When I hit up the op-shops I tend to visit between five to ten stores, and that requires a LOT of walking.
Tip number six requires a car if you have one. I often see a lot of fabulous furniture at op-shops, which would require a car to take home. Of course, I live in a one-bedroom flat so I can’t actually buy any at the moment – but boy do I dream of the day when I will be able to! I actually saw a really cool barrel the other day at the Sacred Heart on Chapel Street when I took a private op-shop tour. (Click here if you would like to enquire about having my lovely self take you on a tour!)
Anyway, I’m getting off-track. If you don’t drive to the op-shop, make sure you put a deposit on a piece of furniture you like. The Law of Averages decrees that if you like something and leave it, it will be sold when you return!
And that concludes my lesson in preparing for an op-shopping session. May you go out and op-shop in prosperity!
Oct 14, 2012 @ 16:24:34
Laura, what an awesome post!!! YES – the sore arm situation if you are carrying a million things at once, I’ve so done that! YES – wearing inappropriate shoes, I’ve been so guilty of that – and yah of course, there is so much walking if you are heavy hitting op shoppers like ourselves! And an even bigger YES to popping a deposit on something you like, coz uh huh, I’ve missed out on a few things in the past
!! And thank you so much for the lovely shout out too, so sweet! Kel x
ps I was thinking of doing a blog “round up” of my tips shortly, I wondered if you would mind me also popping links to your posts with your tips too?? xxx
Oct 14, 2012 @ 18:10:24
Hi Kelly! I’m glad you like
Of course you can link to me! I can’t wait to read it, I love your tips!