Timing is Everything

When shopping for a bargain, consider where you are and the time of the month. If you're headed to Goodwill, most stores have a half-priced day the first Saturday of the month. This is generally when they are the best-stocked. If you miss the half-price day, don't bother with Goodwill again until the middle of the month. This gives them time to clear out the recently purchased merchandise, receive new stock, and get it on the floor.

Also bear in mind the town you're in. My personal experience is that more well-to-do areas have less to offer in the furniture department. Goodwills receive merchandise by the truckload from all over the place, so it is not just your area donations they are selling. Higher-end areas don't have as many bargain shoppers, so in turn, the stores have less furniture to offer. Small town Goodwills can be a gold mine when it comes to wing back chairs, funky art deco pieces, and pretty much anything made out of solid wood.

Second-hand stores are similar timing-wise. They have the best merch at the beginning and middle of the month. This is when many people have more money and when large items are often purchased - the stores stock accordingly. A couple of weeks later, the owners have had time to deliver purchased items, buy new things from auctions and pickers, and cash the checks from the first-of-the-month-flush, leaving them the cash they need to fund their next great buy.

Bottom Line: Shop with the crowds at the first/end of the month for the largest selection and longest lines. Shop between the 13th and 20th for unique items, smaller crowds and store owners ready to make a deal.