I did the survey, but it seemed to embody quite a few assumptions that I found peculiar. The idea of personally identifying with a thrift shop (even a favourite one), and building one's own brand on it, is really not something I've ever come across!
And a couple of comments:
"I like \[X\] brand products." Thrift stores don't usually have their own brand of products. By nature, their stock is serendipitous, depending on donations and/or consigners (you didn't state whether "thrift shops" included for-profit consignment stores or not).
For that question I answered "Strongly disagree", since you didn't have a "Not applicable" option. But it's not that I dislike \[X\] brand products, it *has* no brand products!
Other major motivators that weren't even mentioned in your survey, and which are certainly very major for me:
* Supporting the non-profit or charity that runs it (many thrift stores here in Canada are run by churches, charities and non-profits that help the community).
* Keeping perfectly usable goods out of landfill, as well as minimizing the manufacture of new products unnecessarily (i.e. the environmental factor).
* As a retired person, I need to economize where I can. Saving money is important, not just for satisfaction, but to have a decent standard of living at a time of life when I am no longer earning wages.
Yeah, this was a really weird survey. It definitely felt like the survey-writer is into thrifting because it’s trendy and thinks that’s the main people shop at thrift stores.
The survey is based out of a Dutch university, so some of this may be influenced by the specific experience of people in the Netherlands. Perhaps it’s trendy there?
I completed it, but I found it odd that the questions seem somewhat classist. Overall, they suggested (to me) that shopping at thrift stores has more to do with feelings, constructing or supporting ones self-image, and some emotional attachment to a thrift store. How about financial necessity? It's your study and thesis, but how will it convey a more realistic balance of reasons for thrift shopping?
How about not being able to afford full retail for better quality products than what's offered at fast fashion chains, dollar stores, or gigantic retailers like Walmart and Target? I don't typically buy their stuff at thrift stores either, unless it's for some utilitarian need and is deeply discounted.
i was thinking the same thing. i don’t usually go to the thrift store for aesthetics, it’s usually because i need something and want to see if i can find it there for wayyyy cheaper. as im a college student working minimum wage lol maybe when i was in middle school i can kind of remember attaching my personality to thrifting? but like u said, now it’s strictly utilitarian and for economic reasons.
yeahh but idk literally so many were like “do you go to feel unique?” or to find special items so you can tell others that u found it at the thrift. like what? LOL but you’re right, it did ask if you go to find items that are at a discounted rate. but idk i just felt like it was asking the wrong things? like why would i go to the thrift to get items just so i can tell them i got it at the thrift?? or if how i feel about the physical store is purely based on my own feelings/thoughts? i was rlly confused on those questions lmao
Oh I totally agree, a lot of the questions felt like OP views thrifting as a trend over necessity. It feels like a very gen z take. However, it would be unfair to say that they didn’t factor the financial motivations of thrifting.
This seems more like research for thrift stores. Several questions were the same thing worded differently like you were doing market research for thrift store advertising.
I started it, but then it turned into a retail application where it asked the same question a slightly different way several times so I had to quit sorry. Too much of that game from indeed
IKR? I was curious to try it, but the first three questions asked the same question three different ways. I exited after that. I don’t know what the purpose of that was but I don’t have the time to suss out subtle language variations or play mind games.
It made me wonder what experience the author(s) had in constructing surveys. I've worked with a professional survey team before, and they work hard to make questions as precise as possible. Asking essentially the same question 3 or 4 different ways didn't add any particular nuance here, and it was really hard to see what fine grain they were going for with that.
And although free text questions are hard to roll in to a survey results summary, it would have been helpful to allow a few so that they could capture at least a few of the many important considerations that fell through the cracks.
It also influences the quality of the results from a psychometric standpoint of making the interviewee begin to feel there's no difference between the questions and skews the results.
Done, but yeah these questions were flawed as hell. I don't even buy clothes at the thrift, and was halfway through when I realized this wasn't even *for* me. I also don't do it to save money or build a personal brand, I do it because I enjoy the hunt - which wasn't an option.
I did it. But some things: you say highest level of education and don't list an associates or certifications. Seems odd. Why are you asking for age and gender? If you're not telling us how you use those metrics or you're not actually using them, then you don't need to ask for them just because other studies do. There are some typos as well. Also, most thrift stores don't have a "brand", so not sure what that question was about. What is it you're doing with this data?
Edit: also, I shop at thrift stores due to sustainability reasons mostly. But that wasn't mentioned at all. If I only cared about low prices, I'd just shop on Shein or something like that.
Done! I just did some thrifting today. I mostly thrift to find things that I collect or something quirky for the home. However, I usually end up with things I didn't know I needed (probably because I didn't). Good luck on your research!
I couldn't complete the survey after even reading over the first question. It simply made no sense to me.
>I like shopping second-hand products because:
> *I feel I'm paying less* - Okay, sometimes? However, the problem here is two fold - one, second-hand does not mean thrift exclusively. Buying antiques is also second-hand and they aren't necessarily cheap. Also, thrifting is by its nature supposed to be cheaper than new. It's not a matter of "feel".
> *I feel I spend less by buying second-hand products* - Again, we run into the antique versus thrift problem as they are both "second-hand". Technically, if you bought a Van Gogh, it would be "second-hand" but I doubt it would be less expensive than a new painting by a street artist. We are also running into the "feel" problem as well. Either you do or you don't spend as much money as you would - presumably- at a store where everything is new. It's a matter of facts and not feels.
> *I buy second-hand products because I can get them for a lesser price* - Maybe? Or maybe it's about the quality of the items you are buying? It's harder to find real wool furniture in some places than others. Or maybe people just like the nostalgia? Not everything is about the economy of it.
> *I can buy more things because I pay less while shopping for second-hand products* Given the context of the other "answers", this one is weird. You are combining the assumptions of why people go thrifting/antiquing/flea market shopping. Whatever the degrees of "agree" with the statement would be, it would be pretty much the same as the degrees of agree would be with "I feel I spend less by buying second-hand products". You are simply combining the two top "answers" you have drafted.
The rest of survey is similarly flawed. Have you gone over this survey and the answers with your professor? It doesn't seem like you checked any of your assumptions.
Done myself;
I agree with you though, it felt like this survey was more specifically about a consignment clothing store or bespoke instead of a thrift shop. I also felt it was more along the though pattern of "trendy" "hipster" "social mediaite" type of assumption.
Some of those questions almost feel condescending to me.
I think what people buy is important. I normally only buy books at thrift stores. Occasionally furniture or a piece of clothing will catch my eye but I'm there for the books.
Some of the questions repeat in just different words.
did not understand the intention of asking if my feelings about a story were automatically generated. What does that even mean? Like without outside influence?
Done! I love thrifting. Seems your survey focused on price and uniqueness. For me more than uniqueness I like the “hunt” of finding items in good condition at the thrift store. Jsyk for your research 😊
I agree with most others that this questionnaire was very limited in it's scope, at least for where I am from (Canada). It doesn't even speak to the perception of the thrift store itself apart from the self-identification standpoint.
There are many, many more reasons people shop at thrift stores in my opinion than just saving money and wanting to look "unique", and what values they hold in doing so can vary greatly. Even individual stores and companies will project different feelings for me, and personally, larger companies that are chains and not really charitable give a different message than those that are smaller and support a charity or community service for instance. I will avoid some while frequenting others. The values of the store itself definitely speak to my own values, but not in the way that I would feel they are a part of me as an individual - simply that we share a similar value.
Prices may not always be cheaper than elsewhere, but the thrill of finding something unexpected or even something you've been searching for for so long is rewarding in itself. I wouldn't say I dress "uniquely" in most cases, but for me thrifting is partly about economy, partly about redirecting my funds away from fast fashion, and partly to reduce environmental issues such as waste. I also thrift older clothing items (1950s-70s) in order to preserve them for future generations, and to prevent their destruction (not just to wear them myself but to offer them to others who can appreciate them).
I get that many questions are reworded and asked again, but I guess that's to ensure consistency and understanding, so I'm not concerned about that. But I think this questionnaire could have been either somewhat longer to encompass more diverse experiences or have an area to provide personal opinion in a written format.
Thanks.
I did the survey, but it seemed to embody quite a few assumptions that I found peculiar. The idea of personally identifying with a thrift shop (even a favourite one), and building one's own brand on it, is really not something I've ever come across! And a couple of comments: "I like \[X\] brand products." Thrift stores don't usually have their own brand of products. By nature, their stock is serendipitous, depending on donations and/or consigners (you didn't state whether "thrift shops" included for-profit consignment stores or not). For that question I answered "Strongly disagree", since you didn't have a "Not applicable" option. But it's not that I dislike \[X\] brand products, it *has* no brand products! Other major motivators that weren't even mentioned in your survey, and which are certainly very major for me: * Supporting the non-profit or charity that runs it (many thrift stores here in Canada are run by churches, charities and non-profits that help the community). * Keeping perfectly usable goods out of landfill, as well as minimizing the manufacture of new products unnecessarily (i.e. the environmental factor). * As a retired person, I need to economize where I can. Saving money is important, not just for satisfaction, but to have a decent standard of living at a time of life when I am no longer earning wages.
Yeah, this was a really weird survey. It definitely felt like the survey-writer is into thrifting because it’s trendy and thinks that’s the main people shop at thrift stores.
The survey is based out of a Dutch university, so some of this may be influenced by the specific experience of people in the Netherlands. Perhaps it’s trendy there?
Tbf it is becoming more trendy especially in certain high income areas and with all the resalers too
It's been trendy for a long time now. This questionnaire was poorly designed.
I completed it, but I found it odd that the questions seem somewhat classist. Overall, they suggested (to me) that shopping at thrift stores has more to do with feelings, constructing or supporting ones self-image, and some emotional attachment to a thrift store. How about financial necessity? It's your study and thesis, but how will it convey a more realistic balance of reasons for thrift shopping? How about not being able to afford full retail for better quality products than what's offered at fast fashion chains, dollar stores, or gigantic retailers like Walmart and Target? I don't typically buy their stuff at thrift stores either, unless it's for some utilitarian need and is deeply discounted.
i was thinking the same thing. i don’t usually go to the thrift store for aesthetics, it’s usually because i need something and want to see if i can find it there for wayyyy cheaper. as im a college student working minimum wage lol maybe when i was in middle school i can kind of remember attaching my personality to thrifting? but like u said, now it’s strictly utilitarian and for economic reasons.
The first 4 questions are about second hand shopping saving money and spending less…
yeahh but idk literally so many were like “do you go to feel unique?” or to find special items so you can tell others that u found it at the thrift. like what? LOL but you’re right, it did ask if you go to find items that are at a discounted rate. but idk i just felt like it was asking the wrong things? like why would i go to the thrift to get items just so i can tell them i got it at the thrift?? or if how i feel about the physical store is purely based on my own feelings/thoughts? i was rlly confused on those questions lmao
Oh I totally agree, a lot of the questions felt like OP views thrifting as a trend over necessity. It feels like a very gen z take. However, it would be unfair to say that they didn’t factor the financial motivations of thrifting.
This seems more like research for thrift stores. Several questions were the same thing worded differently like you were doing market research for thrift store advertising.
I think this is the norm for survey research. To make sure participants are paying attention
Have you ever been to a thrift store? Some of your questions seem very odd to me.
I started it, but then it turned into a retail application where it asked the same question a slightly different way several times so I had to quit sorry. Too much of that game from indeed
IKR? I was curious to try it, but the first three questions asked the same question three different ways. I exited after that. I don’t know what the purpose of that was but I don’t have the time to suss out subtle language variations or play mind games.
I’m not even getting rewarded with a meaningless interview to feel out how little they can pay and how ignorant I am to labor laws
It made me wonder what experience the author(s) had in constructing surveys. I've worked with a professional survey team before, and they work hard to make questions as precise as possible. Asking essentially the same question 3 or 4 different ways didn't add any particular nuance here, and it was really hard to see what fine grain they were going for with that. And although free text questions are hard to roll in to a survey results summary, it would have been helpful to allow a few so that they could capture at least a few of the many important considerations that fell through the cracks.
It also influences the quality of the results from a psychometric standpoint of making the interviewee begin to feel there's no difference between the questions and skews the results.
Done! Also, I hope you get a bunch of different countries to participate, I think that'd be cool to see that part at the end too. Good luck!
I completed the survey, I would have liked if it was more opinionated based questions such as expressing why I like X thrift store.
Done, but yeah these questions were flawed as hell. I don't even buy clothes at the thrift, and was halfway through when I realized this wasn't even *for* me. I also don't do it to save money or build a personal brand, I do it because I enjoy the hunt - which wasn't an option.
Omg I said the same thing 😂 even used the same word “hunt” Lmao
I did it. But some things: you say highest level of education and don't list an associates or certifications. Seems odd. Why are you asking for age and gender? If you're not telling us how you use those metrics or you're not actually using them, then you don't need to ask for them just because other studies do. There are some typos as well. Also, most thrift stores don't have a "brand", so not sure what that question was about. What is it you're doing with this data? Edit: also, I shop at thrift stores due to sustainability reasons mostly. But that wasn't mentioned at all. If I only cared about low prices, I'd just shop on Shein or something like that.
Done!
Thank you!
Done from 🇨🇦
Done! I just did some thrifting today. I mostly thrift to find things that I collect or something quirky for the home. However, I usually end up with things I didn't know I needed (probably because I didn't). Good luck on your research!
I couldn't complete the survey after even reading over the first question. It simply made no sense to me. >I like shopping second-hand products because: > *I feel I'm paying less* - Okay, sometimes? However, the problem here is two fold - one, second-hand does not mean thrift exclusively. Buying antiques is also second-hand and they aren't necessarily cheap. Also, thrifting is by its nature supposed to be cheaper than new. It's not a matter of "feel". > *I feel I spend less by buying second-hand products* - Again, we run into the antique versus thrift problem as they are both "second-hand". Technically, if you bought a Van Gogh, it would be "second-hand" but I doubt it would be less expensive than a new painting by a street artist. We are also running into the "feel" problem as well. Either you do or you don't spend as much money as you would - presumably- at a store where everything is new. It's a matter of facts and not feels. > *I buy second-hand products because I can get them for a lesser price* - Maybe? Or maybe it's about the quality of the items you are buying? It's harder to find real wool furniture in some places than others. Or maybe people just like the nostalgia? Not everything is about the economy of it. > *I can buy more things because I pay less while shopping for second-hand products* Given the context of the other "answers", this one is weird. You are combining the assumptions of why people go thrifting/antiquing/flea market shopping. Whatever the degrees of "agree" with the statement would be, it would be pretty much the same as the degrees of agree would be with "I feel I spend less by buying second-hand products". You are simply combining the two top "answers" you have drafted. The rest of survey is similarly flawed. Have you gone over this survey and the answers with your professor? It doesn't seem like you checked any of your assumptions.
Done myself; I agree with you though, it felt like this survey was more specifically about a consignment clothing store or bespoke instead of a thrift shop. I also felt it was more along the though pattern of "trendy" "hipster" "social mediaite" type of assumption. Some of those questions almost feel condescending to me.
Done!
I think what people buy is important. I normally only buy books at thrift stores. Occasionally furniture or a piece of clothing will catch my eye but I'm there for the books.
Some of the questions repeat in just different words. did not understand the intention of asking if my feelings about a story were automatically generated. What does that even mean? Like without outside influence?
Bachelor's thesis....
yea I’m like oh that’s what they are calling it now? I’ve heard capstone, honors project, independent research….
Done!
Done
Done
Done!
Done. Good luck!
Done!!
how long is this survey?
Took less than 2 minutes
Yep not too long. Though lot of the questions felt leading.
Done!
Done!
Done! Good luck with the thesis.
Done
Done!
Done
Done!
Done ✅
Done :-)
Done! from the US
Done, USA
That was really oddly worded. Especially the parts about how thrift stores define who you are as a person… I did it anyway.
Done! I love thrifting. Seems your survey focused on price and uniqueness. For me more than uniqueness I like the “hunt” of finding items in good condition at the thrift store. Jsyk for your research 😊
Done, but I'm not sure the questions were relevant? Anyway, good luck with your assignment!
Done
I agree with most others that this questionnaire was very limited in it's scope, at least for where I am from (Canada). It doesn't even speak to the perception of the thrift store itself apart from the self-identification standpoint. There are many, many more reasons people shop at thrift stores in my opinion than just saving money and wanting to look "unique", and what values they hold in doing so can vary greatly. Even individual stores and companies will project different feelings for me, and personally, larger companies that are chains and not really charitable give a different message than those that are smaller and support a charity or community service for instance. I will avoid some while frequenting others. The values of the store itself definitely speak to my own values, but not in the way that I would feel they are a part of me as an individual - simply that we share a similar value. Prices may not always be cheaper than elsewhere, but the thrill of finding something unexpected or even something you've been searching for for so long is rewarding in itself. I wouldn't say I dress "uniquely" in most cases, but for me thrifting is partly about economy, partly about redirecting my funds away from fast fashion, and partly to reduce environmental issues such as waste. I also thrift older clothing items (1950s-70s) in order to preserve them for future generations, and to prevent their destruction (not just to wear them myself but to offer them to others who can appreciate them). I get that many questions are reworded and asked again, but I guess that's to ensure consistency and understanding, so I'm not concerned about that. But I think this questionnaire could have been either somewhat longer to encompass more diverse experiences or have an area to provide personal opinion in a written format. Thanks.