A lot of us can agree that, until recently, most thrift stores were great places to shop. Maybe you were trying to save money, hunting for a one-of-a-kind piece for your home, or choosing to shop in a more sustainable way. Whatever the reason, the thrift was the go-to spot. Also, you knew that some of the profits often went to different good causes.
In recent years, though, thrift shopping has changed…and not for the better. Online resellers, viral TikTok and Instagram thrift “haul” videos, and the rise of for-profit thrift chains have turned what used to be an affordable, low-key hunt into a crowded, overpriced free-for-all. Some stores now slap on price tags based on what they “see” items selling for online, while others fill their shelves with stuff that’s basically trash.
Lately, my TikTok feed has been flooded with people calling out how thrift stores are failing the communities they’re supposed to serve. Recently, I stumbled upon the ThriftGrift subreddit, which is basically a hall of shame for overpriced junk. Here are some of the wildest rip-offs I came across:
1.
This used McDonald’s McCafe cup that is going for $1.49:
2.
And this Corona bottle with a little bit of cigarette ash (?) at the bottom of it that they want $1.99 for:
3.
This extremely torn T-shirt is priced at $10.99, which apparently is considered valuable enough for the store to slap a security tag on:
4.
This “ready to snap from so much previous use” hair tie being sold for $2.99:
5.
This Chuck E. Cheese token that’s going for $15.99:
6.
These jars of mixed jewelry that are priced at $999.99 (yes, that much) and $39.99:
7.
This floppy disk from the ’90s, that is disk two out of three, and that the store thinks is worth $4.49:
8.
These mismatched Birkenstock sandals that they paired up and are charging $19.99 for:
9.
This women’s tee, which was going for $8.99 at DD’s Discounts, and is now being sold for $13.49:
10.
These open toilet paper rolls that are being sold for $1.99 each:
11.
This used LA Looks hair gel that is priced at $3.92, and this half-used bottle of Crest mouthwash that is being sold for $3.99:
12.
These sweatpants, which were priced $12.99 at TJ Maxx, are now priced at $17.99:
13.
This $3.85 measuring cup that has all the measurements washed off:
14.
This “vintage” (aka just old and really used) sweater that the store wants $52.99 for:
15.
These JNCO jeans that for some reason are priced at $149.99:
16.
And this knit sweater that for some reason is priced at $249.99:
17.
These Disney VHS tapes, which are priced between $200 and $500, and like, this is just so absurd:
18.
This red top from Shein that they had the gall to charge $39.99 for:
19.
This very, very likely fake Chanel purse that they seriously have the nerve to charge $1,199.99 for:
20.
This genuine Lsiuo Ioutnvt bag that is priced at $42.99:
21.
And lastly, this Game Boy Advance Pokémon game that does not include the game, but is just the box and manual instruction booklet, and is somehow priced at $164.99:
