@ossobuco,
I love thrift shops. Almost everything in my house has come from thrift shops and craigslist. It really is all about learning to see and recognize quality things.
Mo and I are regular haunters of all the antique shops in my area of town. Mo is developing a really good eye for figuring out what is overpriced and what is a good deal. When we hit the thrifts, it's "game on" for both of us since we have something to compare an item to.