You Should Find a Junk Store Near You.
When commodity prices rise, they rarely , if ever, fall. Even if the systemic reasons for their initial rise change or improve, prices usually stabilize at a new, higher level – until the next shock raises them again. Everything is more expensive today than it was just a short time ago, so you can probably take advantage of any good deal you can find . One of the best tools for finding discounted items is a fast-growing trend in the United States: junk stores. Chances are there’s one or more of them near you right now, and the way they work can lead to incredible savings if you’re willing to put a little effort into their shopping gameplay.
What is a junk store?
A “junk store” is a store that accepts all excess, returned and clearance items that large retailers like Amazon or Target need to get rid of. These stores carry enormous volumes of merchandise (Americans return just over $800 billion worth of goods each year) and need to regularly make room for incoming goods. Junk stores accept weekly shipments of unwanted inventory and then dump it all into bins by category—hence the name. Stores are typically large retail spaces filled with tables stacked with trash containers, each containing a jumbled collection of identical products (shoes, electronics, clothing, etc.).
Most of these stores then operate on a weekly price reduction schedule . A typical schedule works like this: They receive a fresh shipment of goods on Thursday, so they are closed. They reopen Friday and everything in the store is $12. On Saturday everything costs $10. On Sunday it’s $8 – and so on until next Thursday, when they close for restocking and prices reset to zero.
This turns shopping into a kind of treasure hunt or game. If you go on the first day of your cycle, you’ll pay more, but there will be more choice and your chances of getting a good deal on what you’re looking for are much higher. Go later in the cycle and you’ll be able to buy more with your money, but you may have a harder time finding what you want or need. In some garbage stores, prices remain fixed all week, but these are rare exceptions.
How to find a trash store near you
Junk shops are a relatively new phenomenon, but they are proliferating quickly. There’s probably a junk store near you, and there are several ways to find it:
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Sites like Bin Store Finder offer lists by state. Just click on your state to see a list of junk stores located there.
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Dumpster store companies such as Opan Bins or Where Ya Bin also list their locations on their websites.
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Facebook. Many junk shops use Facebook as a point of contact, so searching local listings on the social media platform can help identify junk shops that aren’t on other lists.
Tips for shopping at a junk store
Shopping at junk stores can be chaotic fun, but they operate differently than other retailers. In addition to price reductions that add an element of strategy to your shopping trip, there are a few other things to consider to maximize your potential savings:
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It’s physical. Items are dumped into containers, so you’ll need to be prepared to dig through the piles of boxes and packaged items to see what’s there. These stores can get crowded, especially on the first day of the price cycle, so there’s an element of Black Friday energy here too; Be prepared for crowds and crowds.
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Scout. Many junk stores post announcements of their latest shipments the day before they open, which can give you an idea of what to look for and where. By noting the physical location of specific containers, you can immediately focus on useful things. Additionally, all junk stores have their own policies; for example, some only accept cash. Please also review this policy so you are prepared.
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Inspect. Items in these stores are often “like new,” but may also have defects and damage. Do your research before you buy. If it’s in a box, most junk stores will have employees who will unbox it for you so you can see what you’re buying.