The best time is early morning, when they are still bringing out yesterday’s donations from the back. “By the pound” stores are the most fun, - as well as the most dangerous - as the lady next to you slides under your arm and agressively hip bumps you out of the way to snatch a likely looking gem. Being tall and long armed is an advantage, as you can reach over the heads of shorter rummagers to the middle of the box. Getting in next to the person who is obviously specializing in stuffed animals is a good tactic, as he/she will take care of the heavier work of flipping things over in their search for the unstained and only lightly battered Care Bear or Pokémon figure. Having a good eye is all important: if you can spot the item that is made of fine wood, that is obviously old or that has some distinctive aspect before anyone else, you can grab it, throw it in your cart and later review it with greater care. Try to stay ahead of the “professionals” – those thrift shore shoppers