A Review of America's Thrift Stores

In this day and age I like knowing where my money goes. I don't like thinking that money is going back into a big corporation that gets its merchandise from sweat shops. I like knowing that the money I spend works to help make my community stronger. Due to my feelings about this, and their wide array of merchandise at very reasonable prices, one of my favorite places to shop is America's Thrift Stores.

Because America's Thrift Store receives their merchandise from donations, they have a wide selection of items to choose from. They carry books, knick knacks, luggage, movies, music, furniture, bedding, tools, lawn equipment, lamps and lighting, clothing and shoes of all sizes, toys, window treatments, jewelry and so much more! To me, its like a giant treasure chest. There are so many interesting and odd items to peruse through that selections are never boring. They get several new shipments in every day, so the selections are always changing.

I have never been in any of their stores and it not be clean and well organized. They have hundreds of shoppers in the store per day and a limited staff, so it is impossible to keep everything picked up and placed 100 percent of the time, but the employees do an excellent job of staying on top of it. Children under a certain age are not allowed to roam free without an adult, so it allows for peaceful shopping. The merchandise is labeled individually by price, so you know how much each item is without any guess work.

Most of the items are gently used or new, and most are in great condition. No one would know it was purchased from a thrift store or that you spent so little. Most items are significantly cheaper than retail store prices, with some savings up to 90 percent. If that weren't enough, price tags are color coded. Each week different colors receive even more of a percentage off the listed price of either 70, 50 or 30 percents. I love getting so many great items and saving so much money at the same time. To add to the savings, when you make a donation, you can get a coupon for an additional 10 percent off!

I feel good knowing that any money I spend there goes to "helping others" (their motto) as well. Besides the money needed to pay its workers and keep the stores up and running, America's Thrift Stores also support many different ministries. The Kings Ranch and Hannah Homes, American Family Foundation, and Teen Challenge are the main Alabama charities. They also support other ministries in other states.

The King's Ranch and Hannah Homes are Christian refuges for women and children from abuse and other difficult situations. American Family Foundation is a place where men, women, and families are supplied with food, clothing, education, housing, medical care, spiritual guidance and disaster relief. Teen Challenge is a Christian establishment that helps teens and adults live a drug free life, and it helps those who are addicted to drugs kick addictions and turn their lives around. I love knowing that my money isn't going in someone's pocket, but instead offering hope and aid to people in need. The whole shopping experience is a win/win!

The only cons I can find with America's Thrift Store are few. They don't offer a dressing room for trying on clothes, so taking measurements of articles of clothing is necessary to insure proper fit. Also, if an item isn't marked with a price, you can't buy it. It has to be returned to the back to be priced. While extremely frustrating, after hundreds of shopping trips to their stores I have had this happen only three or four times, so it isn't the norm what-so-ever. Finally, they don't offer refunds. Returned merchandise will allow you store credit.

Stores are located throughout Alabama (Alabaster, Huffman, Jasper, Midfield, Mobile, Pell City, Rainbow City, and Tuscaloosa), and in Georgia (Marietta and Riverdale), Mississippi (Ocean Springs), Louisiana (Baton Rouge), and Tennessee (Chattanooga). They are also located online at www.americasthrift.com.