DH & I are always looking to buy things second-hand...thrift stores, antique stores, yard sales, etc. I think because we are out there looking, we come across some great bargains. Not every time, mind you...but because we are in the "bargains area" we tend to find them. If someone only shops at retail stores they may not tend to find the really good deals...not to say that there aren't good deals in stores occasionally...
In the second-hand market, you really do have to look through a lot of haystacks to find the needle. But the hunt is what we enjoy!