My mom and sister are positively addicted to thrift stores, and have gotten some really nice furniture, dishes, etc., there. We have very few in my area, though there's a new one in my town that just sells second-hand furniture, so now I can easily buy old upholstered chairs for Jamie to sharpen his claws on. Our town has a huge open-air flea market once a year, though, and I've gotten books, pyrex dishes, cutlery, etc., there.
There's a really interesting one in the next town, that Cindy would love - it has all kinds of things for twins (baby carriages, strollers, bikes, clothes). People can buy or barter there.
I buy most of my work clothes at thrift stores, because my job is kind of hard on clothes, and new clothes would get ruined too soon. But I find a lot of casual shirts and slacks there, too. I like to browse thru the electronic junk and tools, also. It's a guy thing, I guess.
A major aircraft manufacturer in the area operates a surplus store south of here, where they sell alot of their cast off tools and equipment. My computer and monitor came from there, under $200.00.
I love thrift stores. My cat club, the Wellington Cat Club held a thrift store at the local flea market today and we made $200 in just under three hours.