Shopping Secondhand: Here’s How to Actually Find the Good Stuff

But let’s be real: it can also be overwhelming. Op shops are often bursting at the seams with… well, a lot of crap. So how do you actually find the good stuff?

We’ve got you. Here’s how to master the secondhand game – in thrift stores, online, and beyond.

Know Where to Shop—Because Not All Op Shops Are Created Equal

The key to successful secondhand shopping? Going where the good stuff is.

Vintage boutiques (for curated, high-quality finds but at a higher price) → Try SWOP (Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney), Zoo Emporium (Sydney), The Archive Place (Adelaide).

Op shops with strong fashion sections (lower prices, but requires digging) → Salvos, Vinnies, and Red Cross stores in city centres tend to get high-end donations.

Timing matters—stock rotation and donation trends affect what you’ll find.

• Best days to thrift:
  • Mondays & Tuesdays → After weekend donations = fresh stock.
  • End of the month → People decluttering before moving house = great furniture finds.
  • Post-holidays → January is a goldmine for unwanted Christmas gifts.
• Best time of day?
  • Early morning → You’ll get first dibs before resellers swoop in.
  • Late afternoons → Op shops sometimes do markdowns before closing.

Images via The RealReal

Curated resale platforms (for premium secondhand without the hunt) → Level up your thrift game and take the guesswork out of secondhand shopping.

For those cult brands like Ganni, St Agni, and Paloma Wool, stores like Vestiaire Collective and The RealReal specialise in authenticated, pre-owned designer fashion, meaning you’re not gambling on fakes.

They vet items for quality, authenticity, and style. You’ll find everything from vintage Levi’s, an Acne Studios knit, or that designer bag that won’t require you to remortgage your house.

*Tip: The “Make an Offer” button is your best friend – sellers are often willing to negotiate.

How to Shop Secondhand Fashion Online Like a Pro

• Use search filters wisely → Searching ‘leather jacket’ will give you a million results, but ‘90s vintage leather biker jacket size AU 10’ will get you what you actually want.
• Know the return policy → Some platforms (The RealReal, Vestiaire Collective) offer returns, others (Depop, Facebook Marketplace) don’t.
• Negotiate (politely!) → If an item has been sitting for a while, message the seller and offer 10-20% less. Many sellers just want to clear out their wardrobes.

For homewares and furniture:

• Community tip shops & council reuse centres → The Gold Coast Recycle Market and The Bower (Sydney) are goldmines.
• Facebook Marketplace & Gumtree → Best for furniture—look for solid wood, real leather, and quality craftsmanship.
• Charity warehouse sales → Lifeline Bookfests for secondhand books, Salvos Furniture Warehouse for affordable, pre-loved home goods.

For the unexpected gems:

Estate sales & garage sales → Old homes = vintage gold. Here are some resources to help you locate upcoming estate sales:

• ALLBIDS: Specializes in downsizing, local estate, and deceased estate auctions, offering items like fine homewares, antiques, collectables, wine, and art.
• The Public Trustee of Queensland: Manages the sale of customer real estate, providing listings of properties available for purchase.
• Scammells Auctions: Offers a full estate service, including appraisals, packing, cataloguing, and auctioning of items from deceased estates.
• Additionally, local classifieds, community noticeboards, and social media groups can be valuable resources for finding estate sales in your area.

Better still head to the auction houses who have done the sifting for you:

• Danielle Elizabeth Auctions (QLD & Online) – Specialising in estate jewellery, antiques, and fine art.
• Lloyds Auctions (Australia-Wide) – Regular estate sales featuring furniture, collectibles, and designer fashion.
• Curated Spaces (VIC) – Melbourne-based estate sales with high-end furniture, art, and homewares.
• Abbeys Auctions (Online) – Hosts weekly estate auctions every Friday, featuring a diverse mix of modern and vintage treasures from cherished homes and liquidated stock.
• Antique fairs & flea markets → Try Camberwell Market (Melbourne), Rozelle Collectors Market (Sydney), Suitcase Rummage (Brisbane).
• Swaps & buy-nothing groups → Join local Facebook swap groups or Buy Nothing Project communities for free, high-quality secondhand items.

Master the Art of the Browse – How to Spot Quality Quickly

For fashion:

• Ignore size tags → Vintage sizing is wildly inconsistent. Bring a measuring tape!
• Check labels for premium materials → Look for 100% wool, silk, linen, or cotton—they last longer and feel better.
• Feel the fabric → Quality fabrics have weight, texture, and durability. If it pills easily, skip it.
• Look for high-end brands → Country Road, RM Williams, Levi’s, and Saba hold up well.
• Check zippers, stitching, and lining → Sturdy construction = a good buy.

For homewares & furniture:

• Opt for real wood, not MDF → Knock on the surface—solid wood sounds deep and heavy.
• Vintage glassware & ceramics are underrated → Old Pyrex, Mid-century pottery, and handmade ceramics are treasures.

*Tip: Avoid upholstered furniture unless you’re ready to deep clean it.

Online Thrifting – How to Win on Facebook Marketplace & Depop

Online secondhand shopping is all about knowing the right tricks.

• Set search alerts → Be the first to know when your dream item is listed. (E.g., ‘leather couch Brisbane’ or ‘Levi’s 501 jeans’.)
• Haggle (nicely!) → A simple “Would you take $XX if I pick up today?” often works.
• Beware of scams → If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Never pay before inspecting.
• Shop location-specific categories → Op shops in wealthier suburbs tend to get high-end donations.

The Mindset Shift: Patience, Luck & The Joy of the Hunt

Finding amazing secondhand pieces takes time – but that’s the fun part.

• Have a running wishlist. (Instead of impulse-buying, keep an ongoing list of items you actually need.)
• Think creatively. A men’s blazer can become an oversized jacket; a vintage mirror can be repainted.
• Go often, buy selectively. It’s better to find one incredible piece than five ‘meh’ ones.
• Embrace the randomness. Some days, you’ll leave with nothing. Other days, you’ll find the perfect leather boots in your exact size for $10.