Summarize:

Most chain thrift outlets like Goodwill and the Salvation Army will put you on a mailing list for coupon and sale opportunities. These same stores often take pictures of furniture and other "in demand" items and post them online. Reviewing online offerings before shopping can save you trips around town. Anticipate what people will be turning out of their closets at certain times during the year. When planning your thrifting trips, for certain items, consider the following: Shop for summer clothes in the fall when people are thinning out their warm weather clothes in favor of sweaters and coats. The same goes for getting winter clothes in the spring. Look for kitchen items and accessories after college graduations. When students are done with school, they often move back home or to a new city for employment, leaving behind many gently-used kitchen items, lamps, bedding items, etc. Look for furniture during the summer and early fall. More people get married during the summer than any other time of year and often have duplicate furniture items that wind up at thrift stores. Looking to get the best deals that thrifting has to offer? Create a weekly rotation for thrifting, centered around when new shipments arrive at each store. Other things to consider are: Shop early. If you want to get first pick, arrive as the store opens. Shop late. On sale days, some stores are looking to clear out all items on sale, and will offer deeper discounts just before closing.
Get on email lists and shop online when possible. Shop seasonally. Have a weekly rotation.