Two Different Bargain Shopping Experiences
Bin stores and thrift stores both offer discounted products, but the similarities largely end there. These two types of stores serve different purposes, source their merchandise differently, and attract different types of shoppers. If you are trying to decide which one to visit — or whether both deserve a spot in your bargain-hunting rotation — this side-by-side comparison will help you make an informed decision.
How They Source Merchandise
Bin Stores
Bin stores source their inventory primarily through the commercial liquidation pipeline. Their products come from:
- Amazon customer returns
- Retail overstock from major retailers
- Closeout and discontinued merchandise
- Shelf pulls and seasonal clearance
This means bin store merchandise is overwhelmingly mass-produced, brand-name, retail-grade product. It was manufactured for sale in mainstream stores and ended up in the liquidation channel through returns, overstock, or discontinuation.
Thrift Stores
Thrift stores source their inventory primarily through community donations. Their products come from:
- Individual donors cleaning out homes, closets, and garages
- Estate donations after a death or move
- Corporate donations of unsold inventory
- Charity drives and collection events
This means thrift store merchandise is a true mix of everything — vintage items, used clothing, furniture, books, kitchenware, art, and household goods spanning decades of production.
Pricing Models
Bin Stores
Bin stores use a flat-rate pricing model where every item costs the same price, determined by the day of the week. Prices decline daily from a high of $7-$10 on restock day to $1 on dollar day. There is no negotiation and no individual pricing.
Advantage: Transparent, predictable pricing. You always know exactly what you will pay per item before you start shopping.
Thrift Stores
Thrift stores individually price each item based on its perceived value, brand, and condition. Prices typically range from $0.50 for small items to $20 or more for furniture and electronics. Many thrift stores also offer rotating color-tag sales, senior discounts, or weekly specials.
Advantage: Pricing reflects item value, so you rarely overpay for low-value items. But you also might pay $8 for something that would be $1 on dollar day at a bin store.
Product Condition
Bin Stores
Products tend to be newer and in better condition. Since most inventory comes from retail returns and overstock, a large percentage is new or like-new. However, some items may have damaged packaging, be missing accessories, or have been returned due to defects.
Thrift Stores
Products have typically been owned and used by the donor. Condition varies dramatically — from barely used items to well-worn goods. Clothing may show signs of wear, electronics may not have been tested, and furniture may have cosmetic damage. The tradeoff is that thrift stores often carry unique, vintage, or one-of-a-kind items that bin stores never see.
Shopping Experience
Bin Stores
- Products are in open bins or on tables, requiring you to dig and sort.
- The environment is energetic and sometimes competitive, especially on restock day.
- Merchandise is unsorted — electronics next to toys next to kitchen gadgets.
- Inventory changes completely every week.
- Stores are often smaller and more utilitarian in design.
Thrift Stores
- Products are organized on shelves, racks, and displays by category.
- The environment is calmer and more browsing-friendly.
- Merchandise is sorted into departments (clothing, housewares, books, electronics).
- Inventory changes gradually as donations come in throughout the week.
- Stores are often larger with more space to move around.
Best For: Bin Stores
Bin stores excel in these scenarios:
- Brand-name products at rock-bottom prices: If you want name-brand electronics, toys, kitchen gadgets, or personal care products for $1-$10, bin stores are unmatched.
- Resellers: The flat-rate pricing and brand-name inventory make bin stores a primary sourcing channel for online resellers.
- Thrill-seekers: If you love the surprise of not knowing what you will find and the rush of digging through bins, the bin store experience is hard to beat.
- Bulk buying: On dollar day, you can buy 20 or 30 items for $20-$30 — perfect for stocking up on household supplies or gifts.
Best For: Thrift Stores
Thrift stores excel in these scenarios:
- Clothing: Thrift stores are significantly better for clothing than bin stores. They have larger selections, organized racks, and fitting rooms. Bin stores rarely carry much clothing.
- Furniture and home decor: Thrift stores regularly carry furniture, lamps, frames, and decorative items that bin stores almost never have.
- Books and media: Thrift stores typically have dedicated book sections with hundreds or thousands of titles. Bin stores occasionally have books, but not in meaningful quantity.
- Vintage and unique items: If you are looking for one-of-a-kind finds, antiques, or retro items, thrift stores are the clear winner.
- Relaxed browsing: If you prefer a calm, organized shopping experience over the competitive energy of a bin store, thrift stores are more comfortable.
Can You Shop Both?
Absolutely, and many savvy bargain hunters do. The two types of stores complement each other well:
- Visit bin stores for electronics, brand-name products, and bulk deals.
- Visit thrift stores for clothing, furniture, books, and unique finds.
- Check bin stores when you want the excitement of a fresh restock and unpredictable finds.
- Check thrift stores when you want a calmer experience with more time to browse.
Many cities now have both bin stores and thrift stores within a few miles of each other, making it easy to hit both in a single shopping trip. The best bargain hunters use every resource available, and there is no reason to limit yourself to just one type of discount store.
The Verdict
Neither bin stores nor thrift stores are objectively "better" — they serve different purposes and appeal to different shopping styles. Bin stores win on price predictability, product newness, and the thrill factor. Thrift stores win on variety, organization, and access to categories like clothing and furniture. The smartest shoppers add both to their rotation and play to each store's strengths.