Best Places that Sell Used Clothes by the Pound

Thrifting means buying and re-using secondhand clothes, shoes, and other items. People who shop at thrift stores and flea markets save almost $150 per month on average.

However, some shops can help you save even more with their “by-the-pound” program. You can take home a pound of items for as low as $2. Continue reading to find out the best by-the-pound places.

Shop Smart, Save Big: 10 By-the-Pound Thrift Spots

In 2021, the recommerce industry grew by around 15%. More people tried secondhand shopping due to the inflation brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. 16-18% of Americans now shop at thrift stores, while 12-15% go to consignment shops.

There are around 27,000 thrift stores all over the US, but only a few offer a pound program. Check out the best by-the-pound spots below.

Thrift Store	Price per Pound
Goodwill Outlet	$1.29 to $1.59
The Salvation Army	$1.29
Savers	—
Flamingos Vintage Pound	$7 to $20
Found by the Pound	$3
Buy the Pound	—
Idaho Youth Ranch	—
The Garment District	$2
St. Vincent de Paul Dig & Save	—
ThredUp	$16 to $140

1. Goodwill Outlet

Goodwill Retail is the most accessible thrift store, with almost 3,300 locations across the US and Canada. They sell donated furniture, gadgets, books, clothes, and accessories. They sell pre-owned apparel for as low as $4.99.

However, if you’re looking for cheaper options, there’s Goodwill Outlet. It features unsold items from Goodwill Retail at lower prices or by-the-pound rates.

These outlet stores put everything in almost 200 bins where customers can dig through. Clothes, shoes, and handbags are sold for $1.29 to $1.59 per pound.

Wear your gloves and start the bargain hunt because you might be the next one to pull up a Louis Vuitton bag from a pile.

2. The Salvation Army Thrift Stores

The Salvation Army is a global charitable organization that runs family thrift stores, boutiques, and by-the-pound outlets.

They sell new or slightly-used clothing, kids’ toys, books, and more at their family stores. They even give students, seniors, and military personnel 25% discounts.

Unsold items in their retail branches are sent to their by-the-pound outlet in Clinton Township, Michigan. They also have one shop in Chicago that features pound pricing on Wednesdays.

In their outlet store, customers can sort through tons of clothes placed in large containers. You can buy a pound of clothes for only $1.29. The more items you buy, the lower the price per pound gets.

They have a website where they also sell clothes online. Books, instruments, cameras, and jewelry are auctioned there, too.

3. Savers

Savers is an international thrift store that sells clothing, houseware, and other items from non-profit organizations. Usually, unsold items from outlets are discarded. However, Savers purchases those in bulk and resells them.

With 151 stores, thrifting at Savers is convenient. Their pound program also works and costs the same as Goodwill.

They have a Super Savers Club that lets you start earning points for every dollar you spend. They also give a 20% discount on your birthday.

4. Flamingos Vintage Pound

Flamingos Vintage Pound is a thrift store that sells high-quality shoes, clothes, and accessories. They started with 23 stores in Europe and now have 4 branches in America — in Miami, Houston, Austin, and Manhattan.

Unlike outlet stores, Flamingos Vintage Pound displays clothes on racks. They even disinfect and examine each item before hanging it out so customers have a more curated experience.

You can browse through their collection of Levis’s jeans, Harley-Davidson shirts, and other vintage clothing. The items cost $7-$20 per pound. They also have buy-one-get-one promos, winter sales, and other deals.

Flamingos Vintage Pound has an online store for easier shopping. However, they do not offer free shipping, so shipping will be based on weight and customer address.

5. Found by the Pound

Inside a 20,000-square-foot factory in North County, you’ll find Found By The Pound’s massive selection of pre-owned apparel. They feature a lot of work wear, camo, and classic thrift.

This thrift store sells sizes XS-5XL. Items are even sorted by type and size, so you don’t have to scour through them. You can get a pound of their thrift clothes for as low as $3.

Best of all, they donate to local charities. They collect unsold items and recycle them as rags or textiles.

6. Buy the Pound Thrift Store

Buy the Pound sells toys, clothes, shoes, and housewares in bins. Like Goodwill, the bins are rotated and supplied with new items frequently.

Most of the time, they also have 50% discounts on selected items. They are located in Kansas, Missouri.

The store is owned and managed by disabled veterans, so you’re helping when buying.

7. Idaho Youth Ranch

Idaho Youth Ranch is a non-profit organization that supports youth through thrift stores.

They have shops in Treasure Valley, Magic Valley, Northern Idaho, and Eastern Idaho. For cheaper items, they have one outlet store in Boise where everything is sold by the pound.

They offer a 10% discount for seniors, students, and veterans. You can sign up for their loyalty program for more savings.

They also sell clothes online through Amazon, Etsy, and Facebook Marketplace.

8. The Garment District

The Garment District is a thrift store with a seasonally-appropriate selection. This 12,000-square-foot store sells new and used clothes for men and women.

They stock 850 pounds of shoes, purses, clothes, and accessories daily in their By the Pound section. You can grab a bunch for only $2 per pound.

Unsold items from their retail store and By the Pound section are sold to other businesses for recycling. They aim to reuse as much fabric as they can.

9. St. Vincent de Paul Dig & Save

St. Vincent de Paul is a charitable organization offering volunteers and members food, housing, and medical support.

They operate 13 retail thrift stores and some recycling facilities, which generates jobs for the association. They have two outlet stores in Madison and Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Both shops feature second-hand and donated clothes in bins that customers can buy at a specific pound price.

10. ThredUp

ThredUp is an online thrift and consignment store that buys and sells high-quality and often branded clothes. They have items from designer brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Dolce & Gabbana.

They want to provide a modern resale experience while recirculating clothes. With their network, customers can get men’s, women’s, and kids’ clothes for as low as $3.99.

They are not selling by the pound, but you can try their rescue boxes. These are hauls of slightly flawed but heavily discounted items. It is great if you want to try upcycling. Any order comes with a standard shipping fee worth $10.99.

You can also earn money by selling clothes online using their Clean Out Kit. Ship clothes you no longer need, and they will pay for sellable ones. They provide prepaid labels, so no need to worry about shipping costs.

Note: Many thrift stores do not accept returns and exchanges, so check the items before buying.

Bottom Line

Buying clothing does not have to be expensive. Fashion trends do not have to harm our finances and the environment.
Thrifting is a practice that everyone can adapt to. It is difficult initially, but knowing where to shop is the first step to a more sustainable and cheaper lifestyle.