50 Times People Found Something So Ridiculous At The Thrift Store They Just Had To Share

Shopping at thrift stores is great: you can find something authentic, it doesn’t hurt your wallet, and you’re helping the planet by not contributing to overconsumption. In 2024, roughly 90% of Americans and Canadians engaged with a thrift store through either shopping or donating. And Gen Z is leading the trend, with 60% thrifting monthly.

Nevertheless, lately, thrifting lovers have noticed a worrying trend where second-hand goods are often pricier than their new counterparts. So much so that they’ve been posting the prices online and shaming thrift retailers. We’ve collected the funniest and most absurd examples of ridiculous thrift item prices and will present them to you here, Pandas!

#1 Cocktail Umbrellas $12 Each

Seen in an antique store, so possibly vintage? Still this is one of the most ridiculous things I’ve seen in a second hand shop. And the pink one was ripped! Saw a listing on eBay where you could buy 25 vintage ones for $20. And new you can get about 145 for $9 from Oriental Trading Company.

#2 I Just Get Mad When I Go Now

Some little Mexican lady that spoke little English came up to me while in goodwill and said, “I no afford anything, this donation yes?” Made me so sick, these prices are ridiculous.

#3 The Goodwill Price Is Almost Double Of The Marshall’s It’s Came From

Back in the day, shopping second-hand was mostly for those who couldn’t afford pricier clothes or were looking for one-of-a-kind items. Nowadays, thrifting has become a trend. According toa 2025 reportby Capital One Shopping Centre, roughly 30% of all apparel bought in the U.S. was second-hand.

The folks who shared the items we see on this list aren’t the only ones who noticed that thrifting isn’t like it used to be.Experts estimatethat the second-hand goods market can be valued at somewhere between $100 and $120 billion worldwide. So, if it’s so profitable, why is a single roll of toilet paper over $1 at ‘Goodwill’? Or is it so profitable because of the jacked-up prices?

#4 Is This A Joke?

#5 I Thought These Were Free On The USPS Website. This Local Goodwill Is Breaking The Law I Think. Do I Report Them To Their Corporate Or USPS?

#6 Stitch Marker “Earrings”

Found these “earrings” at the local Savers. Tried to tell a cashier that they weren’t earrings and are available like 50pc for $3 she said, “well some kid will probably wear them as earrings because they look like safety pins.”
They are… Not traditional ear piercing size.

One of the reasons second-hand items are more expensive nowadays is because of risingdemand. People (especially younger ones) are more eco-conscious than ever and choose to shop sustainably. In fact, 67% of American consumerssay that sustainability is a priority when shopping.

It’s basic economics: when the demand for something increases, retailers tend to up their price—even if they’re second-hand goods. What’s more, many thrift stores have become aware of the real value of some of their items. That’s especially true for consignment stores—second-hand shops where retailers sell items on behalf of their owners.

#7 My Local Thrift Shop Got A New Store Manager

#8 No Authenticity, No Certification, No Return, No Exchange, No Explanation

#9 I Think The Employees Just Do This To See If Someone Actually Buys It

Thrifting expert and consignment store lover Jessie Frances ofCappuccinos & Consignmentnotes that some thrift stores began curating their selection in response to this growing demand. They’re offering more items that may be of higher quality and made by famous brands.

Many thrift stores would have designer bags, clothes, and accessories put behind glass in the past. But nowadays, there are smaller, more unique thrift stores offering only this kind of second-hand selection.

#10 I’ll Style This With My Versachi And Goochie

#11 I Gave Up Today When I Found This KFC Container For 0.89 Today

#12 There Has To Be Something I’m Missing Here. Is There Something To This Rock?

As thrifting has been gaining popularity, more stores are opening and more people are working in the stores themselves, but also at donation centers and even in logistics. Consider how big most thrift stores are and just think about how much they’re paying for rent. This, together with wages, utilities, and logistical costs, really adds to the bottom line many thrift stores have to cover.

#13 Dude

#14 Hm. Charity Diapers Meant To Be Free For Needy Families. “Not For Sale” On Sale At Griftwill

Second-hand online shopping has really taken off since the pandemic, too. Platforms like Vinted, ThredUp, Poshmark, and Depop have become serious competitors to giants like the Salvation Army and Goodwill. Aside from the convenience (you can just log in and browse while having lunch or lulling yourself to sleep), many online sellers also offer lower prices, making physical stores less attractive.

#15 At “Value” Village In Canada

#16 $800 For “Some Gold Earring Singles And Cool Beads” Says The Employee

#17 How Did These Make It Out To The Shelf?

#18 Oh The Possibilities

There’s also a serious downside to thrifting becoming so popular. People are noticing how it’s becoming a form of fast fashion in itself. If you’re a frequent thrifter, you may have seen items from Shein, Temu, and other fast fashion brands making the rounds at your favorite thrift shop.

According to Fashion Innovation, “The glorification of thrifting as the new and hip sustainable fashion trend encourages shopping addictions and overconsumption, which in turn contribute to similar issues we are trying to combat.”

#19 $5 For A Blown Out Hole And A Spider

#20 I Love Reducing Waste, But Not Everything Needs To Be Donated To The Thrift Store. There’s No Way Those Markers Aren’t Dry, Right?

#21 My So Just Paid $15 For This At A Thrift Store

Years ago, most thrift stores were aimed at low-income individuals and contained affordable second-hand items. That’s why the donated goods were usually priced lower—so they could afford them. Toronto Star’s reporter May Warrensuggeststhat the middle-class youths and teenagers flocking to thrift shops have changed the way thrift shops operate.

#22 A Clearly Fake “Issey Miyake” Backpack For $350

#23 Would You Like A Pair Of 2 Different Shoes For $20?

#24 Spotted At An Estate Sale

Granted, there were and always will be second-hand and consignment shops dedicated to vintage designer clothes that are pricier. But with how popular thrifting has become, even places like Goodwill and the Salvation Army aren’t as cheap as they used to be.

Experts say that the low-quality items also drive up the prices of decent or more luxurious second-hand goods. That was especially evident after the pandemic, when many people did so-called “closet cleanses.” Thrift expert Jessie Frances also noticed that when thrift stores opened up again, there were lots of low-quality items in thrift shops.

#25 It Was So Hard To Not Get This Shein Beauty

#26 $400 Fake Louis Vuitton. Who Can I Report This To?

Need advice on who I can contact before someone gets scammed by Goodwill for $400. The employees know it’s fake after I brought up the flaws but put it back in the case. This color combination doesn’t even exist.

#27 I Wish This Was A Joke

That’s why she urges people not to donate “junk”. She notes how people would just bag up their clothes without researching how to properly get rid of them and donate them. “If you wouldn’t bring the items into your home, you shouldn’t assume others would,” is her stance.

“Gone are the days of believing only people in specific income brackets thrift or that people should be thankful or #blessed to get your scraps.”

#28 Thanks Savers

#29 Dirty Bag With Used Pencil, Anyone?

#30 It’s Almost Cheaper To Buy Books New Now

Tell us your recent experiences at second-hand shops in the comments, thrifty Pandas! And if you’re a fan of giving used items a second life, check out our previous articles aboutthrift items that should belong in a museumand thesefantastic second-hand findsthat might inspire you to take a trip to your local thrift store!

#31 Some Absurdly Priced Items I Found Today At A Thrift Store

#32 I’m Getting Really Tired Of This. I’m Sure You Can Get These Brand New For A Similar Price. Money Is Tight And Seeing This At Thrift Stores Is Really Discouraging

#33 The Local Thrift Store Has Decided To Write The Price Of The Lens Using Permanent Marker On The Actual Lens

#34 My Favorite Thrift Store Has A New Manager… And So It Begins

#35 At First I Thought It Said $41.99 And I Still Thought That Was Outrageous

#36 One Of Those Cardboard Boxes That The Grocery Store Gives You To Carry Multiple Bottles Of Wine. What You Smoking, Goodwill?

#37 Oh Boy, A Deal On Used Vaseline

#38 Starbucks Shopping Bag For $2 That You Can Get For Free From Starbucks

#39 I Laughed And Laughed Some More. Shein Dress For $39.99 At A Local Thrift. What A Deal

#40 I’m Just Gonna Start Stealing Stuff

#41 Goodwill Selling “Mystery” Amazon Returns For $60

#42 5 Glass Yogurt Jars For $5. I Think You Can Get Them Filled With Yogurt For $1 Each. Why Does Goodwill Do This?

#43 Canadian “Thrift” Store Selling Stolen Walmart Baskets For A Profit

#44 $15 For A Pyrex 1 Cup Measuring Cup

#45 For A Used Candle And Matted Plush?

#46 Pair Of Matching Urns In Thrift Shop. Very Heavy And High Quality, With Names And Dates, So Not Just Cheap Decorations. Empty, But Clearly Contained Cremains At One Time

#47 Oh, A Mohicsno?

#48 Previously Owned K-Cup, $4.99

#49 The Ole Wasp Nest Under Glass 20 Bones

#50 Leaking Coyote Mist Found At The Thrift Store. Thank You Random Citizen

#51 Antique Mall In Ohio. $80 For A Shein Coat Is Wild

#52 LOL I Walked Out After

#53 Half Used Lotion Anyone?

#54 I Truly Have No Words. Selling Literal Trash For More Than $1

#55 I Prefer My Mouthwash To Be At Least Half Full, Even If It Is Just $1

#56 In What World? My Mouth Dropped

#57 Just Don’t Donate It If It’s Missing Pieces. That’s All. Be Kind

#58 Spotted My First Blatant Ripoff

#59 $75 For A Jean Jacket. Aren’t These Cheaper New At The Mall?

#60 Estate Sale I Just Spent 30 Seconds At

#61 Local Thrift Store Caught On, Now They’re Using Ebay Listings

Although $69 doesn’t sound too bad (even though people are seeking it for $80 off eBay not close to $300) it’s still petty just to slap the piece of paper on.

#62 Only 99¢ For An Open Can Of Green Beans

#63 For Those Who Cook By Feel

#64 I Laughed Out Loud. Three Used McDonald’s Cups, Plastic, To-Go Cups… $1.50 Each

#65 Ah Yes, I’d Love To Pay 3 Dollars For Literal Garbage

#66 Some Thrift Stores Scare Me. Obvious Fake For $600

#67 Aahahahaha

#68 Surprise

#69 Are We Thinking Wasps? Bees?

#70 Come On These Can Be Easily Recycled

#71 They Raised The Price With A New Tag But Didn’t Remove Old Tag

#72 Box Of Dollar General Tissues For Double The Price

#73 Goodwill More Like Good Grief. Literally Haven’t Even Left The Store Yet And I’m Posting This Because I Can’t Believe

#74 Goodwill Selling Sunflower Oil Expired In 1998

#75 Applesnax Tops

#76 Local Goodwill Is Pre-Damaging The Clothes

This particular goodwill has an interesting new idea. They pre-damage the clothing. I was browsing the racks today, and noticed a lot of the clothing had what I thought were initials written on the logo. Then I found some new with tags that had the initials written in it. Then I started to wonder what was going on and asked the cashier. She says its part of an anti-theft policy? They write with marker in the logo to help them reduce theft?
So cool. I would never have thought to write all over the product so I could detour thieves!
Oh, an check out them prices.

#77 Is The Supposed To Be A Louis Vuitton?