'Not everything needs to be donated': 20 Thrift store items that shouldn't be for sale

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Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Aug 19, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

Let's check out the thrift store and see what we find! 

Going to the thrift store can be a great way to save money. It always seems like a good idea at first… but sometimes you get there and there's just nothing good in the store. 

I went thrift shopping over this past weekend to search for some furniture — specifically, a kitchen table and chairs. The place I visited even specialized in selling used furniture, so I was hyped to see what the store had. As my friend and I wandered around, I'd spot a great item, check the price tag, and… it was $750. Or, I'd notice the coolest yellow chair set, very chic, very cool, and… it had a "Sold" sticker on it. Maybe I should've gone to this thrift store early in the morning, because by mid-afternoon, everything cool was either sold or way out of my price range. All that was left were badly-painted drawers with missing handles and dust-caked bookshelves that smelled like mothballs. No kitchen table and chairs for me! 

Of course, sometimes you find amazing things at thrift stores — my all time favorite sweater, (which I wore in a video on the Hot Takes by Cheezburger TikTok page) was a thrifted item. I could've never found it in a store, and it smelled like it had been in someone's attic for a few decades before I bought it and gave it a good wash. They're not selling that in stores these days! 

There's something lovely about giving a second-hand item a new life. But, as the people below will show you, some thrift stores are just an unorganized hot mess. 

Next, read the story of the owners of a beloved neighborhood cat named Blue as they got even with some entitled HOA board members: "Who knew a cat could turn a neighborhood meeting into a full-blown drama?"

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  • 01
    Thrift store front window with green couch, mannequin, ladder, and numerous plants
    via Darrien Staton on Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02

    This kit has been well-used... but it's not going to be very helpful for the next kid who wants to draw a rainbow

    I love reducing waste, but not everything need to be donated to the thrift store
    via u/customarymagic
  • 03
    THE POLAR EXPRESS Toy aisle in thrift store Knockoff!
    via u/SkyBlueAster
  • 04
    My local thrift store is trying to sell old tomato sauce jars for $2 EXP $1.99 vares CUAS Housen Storage Autentiche ricette CLASS MA
    via u/carlysworkaccount
  • 05

    Utterly maddening

    Put together a 1000 piece puzzle from goodwill and there were only 998 pieces in the box
    via u/keybrain82

    I wonder if they email the company who makes the puzzle if they would take pity on this puzzler and send those 2 specific pieces! 

  • 06
    Thrift store charging $1 more than the original sticker Figurines $7.99 82040 Candlesticks Housewares Candles 143-Y
    via u/Harnyyy
  • 07

    The coworker's excuse for this was that paintings "never sell in store"

    Colleague destroyed a painting i wanted to buy
    via u/zhayona

    The frame alone would be enough to convince someone to buy it! The painting itself is lovely too, it's a shame that this person is now unable to enjoy it as an addition to their home. 

  • 08
    This sign at a small thrift store near my old place reinforces that people s k Notice: For those customers who are in the habit of stealing clothes and hiding the tags behind the mirror. The mirrors have now been siliconed, so for your convenience, please put the tags of the stolen items in the tin can. Thanks, From the managemen
    via u/Kleorah
  • 09
    Pulled off one goodwill sticker only to find another beneath for half the price. with a z. Mak remen ar again You chases change lives GOODWILL 19 $2.99 20023950604 09/13 GOODWILL 120 Hard Goods 3236770206700599 $5.99 Blu 10 Oct INSPIR genius doesn't ive, but in making of wrong ones
    via u/mother_of_corgis
  • 10

    These are some odd and very random things to emphasize

    Found this disturbing "advice" at the thrift store... Ale DON'T BITE YOUR NAILS. IF YOU'RE SICK JUST GET UP AND GO TO WORK ANYWAY, YOU'LL FEEL BETTER. DON'T SLOUCH. ZIP YOUR PURSE. YOU DON'T NEED MORE THAN 4 HOURS OF SLEEP. GET THE HAIR OUT OF YOUR EYES. STAY AWAY FROM HORIZONTAL STRIPES. DON'T BE JEALOUS IT ISN'T LADYLIKE. WRITE THANK YOU NOTES. KNOWING HOW TO ROAST RED PEPPERS WILL IMPRESS MORE PEOPLE THAN YOU THINK. EVERYTHING TASTES BETTER BY CANDLELIGHT. UNEXPECTED GIFTS ARE THE MOST APPREC
    via u/bekkadybex
  • 11

    Pets companions human they are and healers of beings

    This frame I saw at Goodwill Pets companions are they and human healers of are the spiritual connection between people and beings and they us give a better life on nature earth Thought I was having a stroke
    via u/jeanamarie99

    Ah yes, makes so much sense. 

  • 12
    UK Code: 96188695 09/18/2017 Activate by: NC128SIM 8901260681924683371F 560681 89012 89926 3371F for service and required G LG Purchased a flip phone from a thrift store, instead of providing me with the *actual* battery, they put three double A batteries in.
    via u/leakybunnygirl
  • 13
    Do I even need to say anything? This Kirklands item is being sold at an "Antique Thrift Shop" for more than it initially costed. 995 MADE IN CHINA KIRKLAND'S SKU# 18-135774 CLOCK TBLTOP MTL TOP SCROLL 44 Suggested Retail Price $7.99
    via u/xoxodaddysgirlxoxo
  • 14
    Me and my bf went to goodwill and he bought a couple pairs of pants. Came home and washed them. This is what it looks like
    via u/[deleted]
  • 15

    This isn't the only thing they organize by color

    My local thrift store organizing books by color! Who looks for books this way? 188
    via u/Tricky-Detail-6876

    It looks pretty! Maybe they're catering to people who just want an aesthetic bookshelf at home with random books to read. 

  • 16
    Goodwill sorts clothing by color instead of size (for when you don't care of it fits, as long as it's bright green)
    via u/daveberzack
  • 17
    I hate seeing used car seats at thrift stores when I know well the store has no idea what the history of the seat is. everflo
    via u/sydneyghibli
  • 18
    Bought this pair of gloves at a thrift store today; they're both left hands. 125- YOUR YOU CALL AGAIN REC 12-01-2021 15:03 00008 1 DEPTOOS 11 $2.95 1 DEPT001 71 $2 as 1 D 1 DEPT013 DEP1001 " $1.75 11 $2.95 DEPT001 50 50 TA1 TX1 $11.10 $0.61 TL $1 CASH 71 $12.00 $0.29
    via u/PreventFalls
  • 19

    The hippos are extra hungry!

    Found Hungry Hungry Hippos in a thrift store after not seeing it in stores for years. Got so excited only to find out later that there's no marbles. Hungry HIPPOS
    via u/DarkerDawns
  • 20

    They must be for decoration only

    The way these records are displayed at a Goodwill. ns le Better Homes Gardens LEAVE NON INS MINE CICUBTS AT THE FRONT VOICES FROM WARS END HALIFAX мот 25 LECLEGION CONVOYS SUPPLYING FOODS Cannins Ind the pat YOUR HEALTH & FITNESS Reth optimyz Woman Canada's doctor DR. JESS 75 Things That Make Magazine CATS DOGS Your Better Homes brate summer REAL RE Gardens oman's day
    via u/ChillbroBaggins10
  • 21

    I don't think I've ever seen a bent, not broken, DVD before

    Some a hole at my local goodwill bent a movie disc for no apparent reason THE MOTHER MOVIES!
    via u/Prayforrayllum25

    Still uncool of them to do this, though. 

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games thrift shop shoppers beware goodwill shopping thrift store clothing clothes video games thrifting shoppers
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