Amid rising living costs, more consumers are turning to thrift stores for savings and unique finds, with stories of impressive discoveries like vintage clocks and furniture going viral, highlighting the benefits of secondhand shopping for both wallets and the environment.
A Reddit user shared a photo of a sectional couch at Goodwill priced at $2,599.99, sparking outrage over the high price for a used item, with many commenters criticizing the store for potentially overpricing and questioning the authenticity and value of items sold. The incident highlights the importance of vigilance when thrifting to avoid rip-offs, as some stores may inflate prices or mislabel items.
A Redditor in Georgia bought a $12 thrift store backpack and found $500 worth of camping gear inside, highlighting the value and excitement of thrifting for both savings and environmental benefits.
The 'mob wife' trend, characterized by bold glamour reminiscent of characters like Carmela Soprano from "The Sopranos," is gaining popularity as a shift away from quiet luxury. This trend reflects Gen Z's desire to make a statement and display opulence, even if it comes from non-traditional sources. Achieving the 'mob wife' look involves bold accessories, vintage fur, and thrifting, offering a more affordable alternative to the quiet luxury style.
A TikTok user, @mytranquility_, shared a video of her finding a $20 bill hidden inside a book at Goodwill, which quickly went viral with 1.7 million views. The discovery turned her bad day around and sparked a discussion in the comments about similar experiences. The find is particularly meaningful in the current economic climate where many Americans are feeling financial strain. The joy of finding money unexpectedly is a small but significant pleasure, and this story serves as a reminder to check for hidden treasures when thrifting.
A woman purchased a vase for $3.99 at a Goodwill store in Virginia, only to discover that it was a rare piece by Italian architect Carlo Scarpa. The vase, part of Scarpa's Pennellate series for Venini and produced in 1942, recently sold at auction for $107,100. The technique used to create the vase, known as "pennellate," involves adding colored opaque glass while blowing the piece. The auction house estimated its value at $30,000 to $50,000. It remains unclear how the valuable vase ended up at Goodwill. This discovery follows a similar incident where a woman in Texas found an ancient artifact at Goodwill that turned out to be 2,000 years old.
A woman in Virginia purchased a glass vase for $3.99 from a thrift store and later discovered it was a rare piece of Murano glass designed by Carlo Scarpa for Venini. The vase, part of the "Pennellate" series, was sold at an auction for over $107,000, more than doubling its estimated value. The buyer remains anonymous, but the seller considers the windfall a blessing and continues to enjoy thrifting for unique finds.
A glass vase purchased for $3.99 from a Goodwill store in Virginia turned out to be a rare piece of Murano glass designed by architect Carlo Scarpa in 1942. The vase, part of Scarpa's "Pennellate" series, was sold at an art and design auction for over $107,000, more than doubling its top estimate. The buyer remains anonymous, but the seller, Jessica Vincent, expressed her excitement and gratitude for the unexpected windfall, stating that she needed the money more than the vase. Vincent, an avid thrifter, plans to continue her treasure hunting adventures.
A woman in Virginia purchased a large glass vase from a local Goodwill for $3.99, not knowing its true value. After posting photos online, she discovered it was a rare Carlos Scarpa-designed "Pennellate" vase made by Italian glass company Venini in 1947. The vase sold for $107,100 at a Chicago auction house to a European art collector. The woman plans to use the money to update her farmhouse and considers it a Christmas miracle.
Virginia Chamlee, a writer and avid thrifter, discovered a genuine Goyard trunk worth an estimated $20,000 at a small antique shop in Florida. She paid only $90 for the piece and later confirmed its authenticity with a luggage expert. Chamlee, who specializes in finding designer pieces, has also come across luxury clothes, authentic art, and other high-value items throughout her thrifting adventures. She keeps the trunk as a cherished memento in her bedroom, displaying it alongside personal items.
A father and son scored an impressive haul of vintage gaming systems and games from a Craigslist ad for old mechanics boxes. The $250 haul included a Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, Nintendo Entertainment System, Playstation 1 and 2, Sega Saturn, Dreamcast, and a VHS of The Lion King. The images of the haul have gained attention on social media, with many users praising the find.
Lana Saint Clair, a self-described "shopping addict and hoarder," turned to thrifting and vintage reselling during the pandemic, accumulating thousands of pounds of clothing and rendering her bed unusable. She called for backup from her sister to help her get rid of the excess and has since documented her recovery on TikTok. Saint Clair acknowledges the energy-draining effects of hoarding and advises others struggling with hoarding tendencies to prioritize their peace of mind over material possessions.
A teen on TikTok transformed a thrifted wedding dress into a stunning pink prom dress through a DIY dye job and tailoring. The video of her transformation has gone viral, inspiring others to thrift for their own prom fashions. TikTokers praised her for her skills and the final result, comparing her to a Disney princess and the Charlotte dress from "The Princess and the Frog."
A teen on TikTok transformed a thrifted wedding dress into a stunning pink prom dress through a DIY dye job and tailoring. The video of her transformation has gone viral, inspiring others to consider thrifting for their own prom fashions. TikTokers praised the final result, comparing it to a Disney princess dress and the Charlotte dress from "The Princess and the Frog."
A 17-year-old TikToker, Megan Johnson, went viral for transforming a thrifted wedding gown into a pink prom dress. Johnson shared the process of dyeing the dress into a soft pink color, which has been viewed 8.4 million times. The final product was revealed in a TikTok video where Johnson ran through a field in the perfectly-fit gown to the Lizzy McAlpine song, "Ceilings," as her mom filmed. Viewers praised the dress and suggested future projects for Johnson.