The Complete Idiot's Guides to Starting and Running a Thrift Store: Turn Old Merchandise into a Thriving New Business

by Carol Costa, Ravel Buckley

A thrifty offering for the prospective thrift-store owner . . .  In economic times like these, thrift stores have seen a 35% increase in sales in 2008; so what better time to start one? While fairly cheap, it is complicated, however. Here, two experts cover the entire process, including such vital topics as how set up the store on a nonprofit basis; choose a location; get funding; get the word about donations of saleable items; recruit and manage volunteer staff; sort, price and recycle donations. • Practical, step-by-step approach to the process • Troubleshooting tips and best practices that really work • Funding by and partnering with community organizations

545 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 5, 2010

About the author

Carol Costa has been writing professionally since 1980. She is a journalist and an award-winning playwright. Carol has worked as an editor, a newspaper correspondent, and has managed a literary agency. Her plays have been produced in New York City, Los Angeles, and in regional theaters across the country. Her television work includes segments for Beyond Chance (Lifetime) and Sightings(Fox). Carol has a number of books in print with two more scheduled for release in 2009. The list includes the following fiction and nonfiction titles:

Labor of Love, Avalon Books
Love Steals the Scene, Avalon Books
A Deadly Hand, Avalon Books
Under Suspicion, Publish America
The Master Plan, Avalon Books (2009)
Invisible Force, Champagne Books (2009)

Teach Yourself Accounting in 24 Hours,(1st & 2nd editions) Penguin USA
Teach Yourself Bookkeeping in 24 Hours, Penguin USA
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Surviving Bankruptcy, Penguin USA
Video Poker: Play Longer with Less Risk, ECW Press

Reviews

[Helen Geng · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dated in a not very good way (2010).
The coverage of the business side of starting & running a thrift store seems good, but I have no practical knowledge of doing so.
However, the used books side is very superficial.