Banana Dog ©r/ThriftStoreHauls/u/the5thpixel/RedditThrift stores aren’t just stores where you can buy and sell your old possessions. They’re incredible caverns of wonder that can hold far more than an old Fruit of the Loom T-Shirt or a battered Barbie. If you look close enough, you could find some truly remarkable things lurking on the shelves.Over the years, thrifters have been amazed to find everything from giant hands to human teeth, Thor’s hammer, and even a fully-stocked vampire-fighting kit. Even if you love buying new at Walmart, next time you walk past a Goodwill you might want to stop and take a look – you never know what’s waiting inside!
1. Giant Hand
Found at: UnknownEstimated Value: $500+*Avid thrift store enthusiasts will tell you that each store is like a treasure trove. You never quite know what you’re going to find, from fluffy blankets to retro light fittings…and even giant hands. When we say giant, we mean gargantuan.
Giant Hand @LawlietKKK / PinterestIt’s not immediately clear why someone thought this would be the ideal piece to complement their Bed, Bath, & Beyond decor, but they did. It’s not every day you come across a realistic hand statue, so perhaps it was simply too good an opportunity to let slip through their fingers…
2. Rick’s New Mug
Found at: Thrift StoreValue: $0.25*As this shopper said, this tiny little mug was “too cute to pass up” for just twenty-five cents. While poking around a thrift store, he discovered a mug with the name “RICK” on it. Though he didn’t “even know a Rick,” he added the tiny mug to his dish collection.
Rick’s New Mug @DLazuara / PinterestHelpfully, in the rest of the post, he added a few adorable size references. He placed the miniature cup next to his guinea pig, and it was too small even for that little animal to drink out of. He even posed the guinea pig and cup next to his disinterested cat.
3. Giant Cup
Found at: UnknownEstimated Value: $500+*It’s not every day that you get given a giant Smirnoff bronze cup. In fact, we could go as far as saying this lucky couple might be the only couple in the world that this has ever happened to. According to the story, the previous owner’s husband worked at a distillery and the cup somehow fell into his possession.
Giant Cup @zkittyplay / PinterestAfter a while, the wife simply wanted it gone. This gentleman decided to use it as an outside bath, but it could be used for all manner of things, from planting seeds to making your very own giant cocktail bowl. Either way, it makes for a priceless Facebook photo.
4. Mouth Phone
Found at: A garage sale, Beaverton, OregonEstimated Value: $30*Back in the ‘70s and ‘80s, novelty phones were all the rage. Some were shaped like burgers, others looked totally different. Then, there’s this one that looks just like Mick Jagger. This incredible find was spotted at a garage sale in Beaverton, Oregon.
Phone @Pinner62764345 / PinterestIt’s not immediately clear just how much this rarity costs, but we would say it’s worth at least $30. After all, it’s not often you see things like this come up. Now Apple iPhones are everywhere, there’s less of a “call” for handsets like this.
5. Teeth
Found at: A yard saleEstimated Value: $45*They say that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure, but can the same be said for teeth? Yard sales have been known to be true Aladdin’s caves, but usually, the most valuable finds are collector’s items that have been long forgotten. It’s not often that sets of teeth come up for sale.
Teeth @Pinner62764345 / PinterestOn the plus side, it looks like these aren’t real human teeth, but false ones made as dentistry examples. Either way, stumbling across this box might be a little unsettling, especially if you’re just hoping to pick up a cheap pair of curtains to save you from ordering on Amazon.
6. Goat Ornament
Found at: Unknown thrift storeValue: $10*Garden ornaments can be pricey, especially if you buy them brand new. Even then, the chances are that the majority of your neighbors might have the same thing. Who wants to be one of hundreds? One lucky thrifter happened to stumble across this sweet white goat.
Goat @boredpanda / PinterestTaking it home was a no-brainer. Not only does it look cute in the yard, but it was probably a darn sight cheaper than going to Home Depot and picking up yet another fishing garden gnome. Plus, it could scare away the neighborhood cats and stop them pooping in your yard.
7. “The Dress”
Found at: Unknown thrift storeEstimated Value: $5*A few years ago a picture of a dress circulated on the internet that had the world baffled. Was it white and gold or blue and brown? The dress became such a sensation that it even has its very own Wikipedia page to explain its impact. It looks like someone decided to capitalize on that by creating this very contrasting design.
dress @BethannfedamineH / PinterestPerhaps unsurprisingly, it ended up in a local thrift store for customers to marvel at. It’s not clear whether anyone had the guts to purchase it and wear it, but at least it ended up as a good Facebook conversation starter.
8. Stand-in Granny
Found at: Estate Sale in Fort Worth, TexasValue: $100*Of all the items on this list, this one is certainly one of the more unusual items. One family was thrift shopping at an estate sale in Fort Worth, Texas when they found a bust of a grandmother holding a plate. As the shopper, Carrie Sexton, said, “Yes, she came home with me.”
Stand-in Granny @Pinner62764345 / PinterestSexton said that it was “worth the money,” considering how many “laughs” she and her family had. Sexton said she plans to dress up the “granny” statue for every holiday, using her serving skills to serve appetizers to party guests. Let’s just hope the statue isn’t haunted, Annabelle-style.
9. Ketchup Phone
Found at: Thrift StoreValue: $45-$50*If you didn’t see the keypad on the bottom or the cord, you might think this woman was literally talking into a bottle of ketchup. Luckily, however, it’s nothing so concerning, just a phone disguised as a bottle of Heinz Tomato Ketchup. The keypad at the bottom and the phone cord are the only ways to tell what this realistic-looking bottle actually is.
Ketchup Phone @iwasnotthehighground / PinterestThis product is also a gift from the eighties, just like the Pizza Hut headphones and radio. H.J. Heinz Co. made these Heinz 57 Bottle Telephones in Taiwan as part of a promotional venture. They sell on eBay for $45-$50.
10. Kitchen Accessory
Found at: Value VillageValue: $2.99*Is it a mini electric guitar? Nope, just a cheese grater shaped like one. Value Village is the place to go for all things resold and unusual, and their kitchen accessories section appears to be no exception to that rule. One shopper said that bought the “little flying V,” so he could “properly shred [his] cheddar.”
Kitchen Accessory @avidtechnology / PinterestThat cheese grater is way cheaper than the other cheese graters on the market, costing just $2.99 for a lot of cheese-grating space. For example, a fancy “Microplane Zester” from Williams-Sonoma (of course) costs around $14.95, and it’s not even shaped like anything cool.
11. Caged Doll
Found at: Thrift StoreValue: $20-$25*What passes for art these days will always be a mystery. Shopper John Rose joked that he got strange “looks” when he was “walking around” with his purchase, which appears to be a baby doll locked in a birdcage (again, a good recipe for an Annabelle situation).
Caged Babydoll @WEIRD0SofAustin / PinterestClose-ups of the baby doll’s face make this weird art project look like it’s haunted by the ghost of a Victorian-era baby. The baby in the birdcage will no doubt make an interesting conversation piece for anyone who hangs out at Rose’s house. The estimated value of this item is $20-$25, though the creepiness is priceless.
12. Strange Coincidence
Found at: Thrift StoreValue: $10-$15*A lucky thrift store shopper found…himself? While poking around the store, he noticed a painting that, under other circumstances, wouldn’t be too strange. It featured a young man in glasses and a red sweater, holding a book. Admittedly, the painting is very well done, so it’s a wonder why someone would try to sell it.
Strange Coincidence @RecreoViral / PinterestWhen the shopper arrived at the store, he realized that the man in the painting could have been his twin. He had his friend hold the painting up while he also posed in a red sweater, holding a book. Talk about an eerie coincidence.
13. Huge Elvis
Found at: Thrift StoreValue: $100-$200*Elvis is one of the most famous rock stars of all time, and the King of Rock ‘n Roll has spurred a lot of merchandise, even after his death. However, this one takes the cake when it comes to the largest bust of his head. It’s a wonder it was even able to fit through the thrift store doors.
Huge Elvis @solidsnake4545 / PinterestAs the shopper said, “Elvis has NOT left the building,” as there’s nowhere to “put him.” The giant Elvis head comes complete with the rock legend’s signature smirk and dark eyebrows. Only serious Elvis fans need apply to own this sculpture.
14. Giant Dino
Found at: Goodwill (Central Arizona)Value: $35*One dinosaur fan came into a lucky purchase when he was at the Goodwill of Central Arizona. He found a three-foot-tall dinosaur statue. The fearsome baby T-Rex was in mid-roar, and there’s no denying that the dinosaur would make a nice addition to any home.
Giant Dino @boredpanda / PinterestAs the shopper, Zachary Bomer, said, “I’m buying this.” Bomer took a picture of himself seated next to his new dinosaur, and the two are the same height when he’s seated and the baby T-Rex is standing. We’re just jealous that he found the T-Rex first. Hopefully, other thrift stores will come into their own baby dinosaurs soon.
15. Art With Good ROI
Found at: Thrift StoreValue: $0.50*When you look at this, the math really isn’t there. According to the lucky person who realized that the math didn’t add up and quickly bought this, this framed artwork cost just $0.50. However, the interior itself, which features a button-up made of money, is composed of six $1, uncut dollar bills.
Huge Elvis @solidsnake4545 / PinterestBreaking the frame and snatching out the money would make for a $5.50 ROI. Not bad, but, considering the whole broken glass thing (and, admittedly, destroying a piece of artwork in the process), it might be better to just hang it up and leave it alone.