You know what they say; one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. And while you could quite literally dig through someone’s trash, why do that when the likes of Goodwill, thrift stores, and other consignment shops exist? These places are perfect for picking up a bargain and breathing new life into old objects, but you really do have to pick and choose what you buy. And while some people just don’t have the thrift store knowledge, it’s safe to say that these people absolutely nailed their Goodwill adventures with the unbelievable finds that you are about to see.
Going Back in Time
Thrift stores really do open up a window to the past. They’re normally filled with vintage products that have been in families for years and lived lives we’ll never quite understand. And there are many people in this world who go in search of these specific items. For example, this person decided to trawl Goodwill for some vintage clothes to add to their collection – and then they came across this beauty.
/SmellySockSmeller
This is a 1945 WWII Ike jacket that they found in the bins at Goodwill, and today you should expect to pay a few hundred dollars for the same thing on normal resale sites.
Let There Be Light
Thrift stores offer so much more than clothes and toys. They’re the perfect place to go if you’re looking for some new home furnishings for your house, as you can often find cheap but unusual items you’ll rarely be able to find anywhere else. Don’t believe us? Just look at these lamps! These aren’t any ordinary lamps, either, as they’re a pair of Robert Sonneman for George Kovacs feather lamps – which means they were once very expensive.
/Crherniman
But the beauty of consignment stores means that this person was able to pick up these lamps for just a tiny fraction of their RRP, and they were still in full working order, too!
A Slam Dunk
If you don’t know anything about sneakers, one of the main things you need to know is that Dunks are extremely collectable. Many sneakerheads spend thousands of dollars adding rare colors and styles to their collection, and they can fetch a huge amount at resale. But what you might not realize is that you can sometimes pick up sneakers at the thrift store – which is exactly what this person did.
/speakerjunkiee
They found some tropical teal Dunks in fairly good condition at the thrift store, and they only had to part with $2 of their money to take them home with them! Then, they just gave them a bit of TLC and a clean.
When You Bag the Bags
You can never have too many purses, right? But while it’s easy to pick up purses from department stores, many people around the world spend their days dreaming of the day that they can buy a designer purse from a reputable designer. Of course, these are normally incredibly expensive – but have you ever looked in a thrift store? Sometimes, you can find vintage designer bags in the bins if you look hard enough.
/audioear
That’s what this person did, and they managed to stumble across two amazing Kate Spade purses to add to their collection. We especially love the white, green, and blue purse!
A Super Cool Aesthetic
Every house needs a reading nook, and it seems as though this person knew that. But instead of spending a fortune online on a new light for their reading nook, they decided to take a trip to Goodwill and see what they had on offer. We bet they’re glad they made that decision, as within seconds they had set their sights on a light-up canopy that would fit perfectly over their chair.
/JessHex
Not only did it add a cool aesthetic to their nook, but it also offered the all-important light they were after. Plus, it only cost them a couple of dollars!
Pulling the Wool Over Your Eyes
One of the things we love about thrift stores and consignment shops is that you don’t need to go in with a huge amount of money to come out with something expensive. Sometimes, all you need is a few quarters in your pocket, and you can pocket something truly extraordinary. And if you don’t believe us, just take a look at this $3 bargain! Yes, that is a Pendleton blanket.
/Brand8175
For reference, this type of 100% wool blanket can be bought new for around $500 – and if you need a little reminder, this person managed to take it home with just $3 in their wallet!
Time to Power up
No matter what thrift store you can walk into, you can almost guarantee that you’re going to come across some of the same things. You’ll spot clothes, toys, books, and probably even a few pieces of furniture. But that’s not all these stores have to offer. Sometimes you’ll see something out of the ordinary – and when was the last time you spotted a fully-functioning power tool in the Goodwill bins?
/deadcoroner74
When this person spotted a Dewalt 18 V Score in the bins they knew they couldn’t leave it behind. We would have done the exact same – and we don’t think we’ve ever used a power tool in our lives.
It’s Me, Mario!
If you’re someone who appreciates vintage games, thrift stores are the perfect place for you to hang out. Sure, you can buy vintage video games online – but there’s nothing quite like the feeling of rifling through the bins and then stumbling across something that gives you major nostalgia. So, we can understand how happy this person was when they came across these three Nintendo games just sitting in the thrift store.
/StinkyPinkyFingerz
We’re not sure which game we love more, but we think Super Mario probably pips the other two to the post. Nevertheless, the whole haul is one this person should be proud of.
Super Dooper Exclusive
We’ve already seen that you can buy countless items of clothing in a thrift store, but this person took thrifting to a whole new level when they found this Disney Parks exclusive dress. As a Disney fanatic themselves, they couldn’t believe it when they saw this dress crumpled into a bin. After all, it would have cost a fortune to buy new – but then it was discontinued and started to sell for even more online.
/teenytinyytaylor
It was at that moment that they knew they had to take it home with them, as they couldn’t let the dress go to someone else who wouldn’t appreciate it for what it was.