A sub-optimal thrifting experience

I love this description, from Skye, of the worst kind of thrift store -- the "depressingly sanitised op-shop":

(you know the ones - colour-coded racks of polyester bootcut pants and kitten heeled mules from the late 90s, bright fluorescent lighting, no interesting clutter to poke through and a mean lady who checks your handbag when you leave to make sure you haven't stolen anything)

So true! I'd add high prices (at least $8 for dresses and $5 for tops). No mothball smell. Plus lots and lots of dead stock from Target. Always a sinking feeling when you realize you're in one of those thrift stores, and the staff has cleaned out all the really good stuff to make way for super thick-knit White Stag boxy T-shirts.