Thrift People Items Stores Money Sell Secondhand Consignment

"Thrift stores," "secondhand stores," and "consignment stores" are popular in the United States, especially in an "economic downturn" (a period of time when the economy is getting worse) when people do not have very much money to spend on new "goods" (products) in "retail stores" (stores that sell new goods).

In general, a "thrift store" is "run" (operated) by a nonprofit organization. People "donate" (give for free) their used goods to the thrift store. Employees "sort" (separate; categorize), clean, organize, and "price" (put prices on) useable items and display them in a store. Some thrift stores are "staffed by" (with employees) individuals who are "physically disabled" (having problems with their body) or "mentally impaired" (having problems with the mind), but who have been trained to perform specific jobs. The "proceeds" (money received from sales) are used to pay for the costs of the store, such as rent, electricity, and garbage services, and the "remainder" (what is left) is used for some charitable purpose. Some popular thrift stores use their profits to run job-creation programs, feed the homeless, help poor families, or "fund" (provide money for) "mission trips" (groups of people who go far away to tell people about their religion).

Most "secondhand stores" are for-profit businesses. The owners and their employees buy used goods at garage sales and other places. Then they "repair" (fix) and clean the items to sell them in their store. Prices in a secondhand store might be a little higher than in a thrift store, but the items are generally a little bit nicer.

Finally, a "consignment store" helps people make money by selling their used goods. For example, an individual can sell used items "on consignment," so that he or she receives some percentage of the sale amount, "say" (perhaps) 40%, and the owner "retains" (keeps) the rest.