Thrifting Gone Wild is Real and Happens at 3 Popular Stores in Minnesota

'Thrifting Gone Wild' is Real and Happens at these 3 Thrift Stores in Minnesota

"Mom, I'm not sure if you'll like this or not but it is something you need to do at least once.  It's an experience."

I went on a thrifting adventure with my oldest a few days ago and we ventured into a place I didn't know existed in Minnesota.  In fact, most people probably have no clue that this little thrifting gem is open and just waiting for you to find bargains.

READ MORE: 13 Items Goodwill Stores Will Not Accept in Minnesota

If you love thrifting at Saver's and Goodwill in Rochester, Minnesota, you need to make the drive to St. Paul, Brooklyn Park, or Chaska.  The "experience" is NOTHING like the Rochester stores but you will come out with loads of amazing deals that will cost you almost nothing.  Before you go though, you need to know the rules or you could get yelled at.  Seriously...someone will yell at you...but in a somewhat nice way.  I scored big time though and only spent $26!  One of the items alone is worth $50.  I've got a list of the items below in case you want to see what treasures I found while thrifting.

Here's Everything You Need to Know Before You Go Thrifting at the Goodwill Outlets in Minnesota

• There are three locations - St. Paul and Brooklyn Park have a Goodwill Outlet.  Chaska's location is called a Goodwill Wholesale.  See hours and addresses here.

• Wear plastic gloves.  I didn't see anything that was gross or nasty while I was digging for treasures but you just don't know what you might be touching or what germs might be on items that were donated, especially during the pandemic.  Keep yourself safe and wear gloves.

• Stay behind the yellow line!  Every once in a while the bins get replaced with new bins full of new treasures.  When the bins are rolled in everyone needs to stand behind the yellow line.  Good chance you will hear someone shout out "If you are toes are on the yellow line, you are NOT behind the yellow line.".  People will crowd around you so just be prepared for that.

• Do NOT touch the new bins before they say "Go!"  When the new bins come out you need to stay behind the yellow line AND also keep your hands off.  Someone will shout out "Go!" and that is your cue to start digging.
• Watch out!  People throw things.  As the new bins are ready for people to start digging be prepared to have people near you and just know that things may end up getting thrown.  Bags of items will be torn open.  Boxes will be opened up and things will probably get dumped.

• Bring your own bags.  There is a good chance you won't have a shopping cart to use and you won't be given bags when you leave to store all your new treasures.  Bring a few reusable bags that are light in weight, some plastic bags, or some big garbage bags and just plan on using that to collect your thrifting treasures.  Lightweight is key though because these will be weighed when it is time to pay for your items.

• Nothing is organized.  And when I say "nothing", I mean that everything is thrown in bins and you just have to search.  The bins aren't too deep but they are pretty wide and if you are vertically challenged you will need to reach a bit to get to the other side.  Think of it as a little workout.  You may see items clumped in categories but there is a good chance other items are in there too.  Oh, and the shoes are not paired together so you will be hunting the entire area and possibly multiple bins just to find a match.  That is IF you find the match.

• Most of the items are not priced. The only items that will have prices on them are the furniture.  Everything else is either sold by the pound, by piece or if it is a book, the price is per inch.

What I bought for $26 at the Goodwill Outlet in Minnesota

I had no idea what to expect when I went to the store but I went in with an open mind and 3 pretty big reusable bags.  I ended up finding 2 Love Your Melon hats, a winter coat in perfect condition, a fancy dress that is perfect for a gala, several sweaters, quite a few tank tops, a handful of new shirts, a pair of awesome and practically new boots, and a few stocking stuffers for my kids that were brand new items.  All of that for just $26.

Places in Rochester where you can buy things for just $1!

There are a bunch of great spots to go thrifting in Rochester - Saver's, Goodwill, but there are several other stores that have great deals too.  Scroll below to see some of the best spots in town where you can buy items for just $1.