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18 Thrift Store Finds That Can Be Worth a Fortune

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Thrift stores are great places to buy items when you are on a budget. However, aside from getting things at a good price, thrift stores are also a treasure trove of goodies worth more than their price tags.

You may think that it’s impossible, but you will be surprised at how often that may happen. Many people have found treasures among the piles of items and sold them with a high profit. You might just become one of them and land a potential side hustle.

We’ve compiled the top items that may give you a serious profit at thrift stores. These are the items that you must keep an eye out for in your next thrift store trip. 

1. Antique Furniture

Antique Furniture
Image credit: Continentaleurope CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

Antique furniture may seem old, but their beauty and value is timeless. It’s often the case that the older the furniture, the greater its value. Given that it’s in a good condition. For example, an 18th-century table would sell more than one created in the 20th century. However, age is not the only factor that makes antique furniture valuable. You also have to look at the craftsmanship, style, rarity, and demand. 

Antique furniture is usually handcrafted and made with high-quality materials. It’s completely different from fast furniture today. I bought a desk in 2020 that was brand new. It was delivered in two days, but I returned it the same day because one leg was attached crookedly. But I have chairs from my grandmother that were made in the 1920s, and I’ve had them for over 10 years without issues.

2. Sports Memorabilia

Sports Memorabilia
Image credit: John Seb Barber CC BY 2.0/Wiki Commons.

Next time you go thrift shopping, don’t forget to check out sports memorabilia. Sports items linked to famous athletes are especially valuable. Check for balls with autographs, vintage sports equipment, and even ticket stubs. There are people who are willing to pay great prices to add these items to their collection.

You can sell your finds directly or wait for a while and let them appreciate in value. When their value increases, so do their prices. If you’re not sure what something is worth, check out eBay or Facebook Marketplace to see what similar items go for.

3. Vintage Vinyl Records

Vintage Vinyl Records
Image credit: Umberto Cofini CC0/Wiki Commons.

Vinyl records are becoming all the rage again, and I’m all here for it. If you find old records from iconic singers, don’t pass on buying them. These records are in high demand today. For example, Beatles or Elvis Presley vinyl can sell at high prices if they are in good condition, first pressings, or limited editions. 

Even if you don’t want to resell them, they’re great buys that you can display at home. If they are in good condition, you can listen to them again and again on your own record player.

4. Candlesticks

Candlesticks
Image credit: hinhanni/Depositphotos.

Just like antique furniture, candlesticks made of high-quality material can be quite popular. Candlesticks made of bronze, brass or silver are highly sought-after. 

If you find one that dates back at least 100 years, even better. Candlesticks back then were often crafted with intricate designs. Many collectors of vintage home decor would flock to you to buy vintage candlesticks made with high-quality materials. 

5. Art Glass

Art Glass
Image credit: PLBechly CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

Creating glass is a craft that requires great skill. Hence, any hand-blown art glass can be worth a lot. Only truly talented makers can create glasses and make it look like art.

When you find a glass at your favorite thrift store, look for signatures or marks. For example, some glass pieces crafted by Murano or Tiffany can be very valuable. There will be people interested in many different glass-made items — like sculptures, paperweights, vases, and more.

6. Vintage Picture Frames

Vintage Picture Frames
Image credit: François Boudiot/Wiki Commons.

You can often find paintings and photos in frames at thrift stores. Some people can’t get past the faded or out-of-style outwork and ignore the whole thing. However, if you try to focus on the frames and ignore the artwork, you will realize that the frame has great potential.

Look for the patterns, carvings and designs on the frame. Even if the frame has faded colors, you can repaint it. As long as the carvings, patterns and texture are intact, with some touch up, you can still resell it. 

7. Vintage Designer Clothing

Vintage Designer Clothing
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If you look hard enough, you may find clothing labels like Gucci, Balenciaga, Chanel, and other luxury clothes at thrift stores. If you can get these vintage pieces, you’ll have landed on a treasure. Vintage clothes from these brands are highly sought-after by clothing enthusiasts and collectors. 

However, be sure to double check that the piece is authentic. Check for stitching, fabric used and any tags. If your budget allows it, have the piece authenticated. You can sell the clothes at a hefty price with supporting documents.

8. Original Oil Paintings

Original Oil Paintings
Image credit: Gaetano Chierici/Wiki Commons.

People love art and paintings. Some even love them to the point of collecting them. One of the most collected paintings out there are oil paintings. Thrift stores can sometimes have these paintings in their inventory. Even unsigned pieces will sell if the technique is good or if the theme represents a certain period.

Old paintings often appear more vibrant as they age due to the paint oxidizing, only if it wasn’t exposed to the sun or smoke. If you can find an oil painting that dates back to the 18th century or earlier, look up the artist and see if it’s something that has value. Or even if you like it and don’t plan to resell it, you can hang it up in your home.

9. Vintage Cameras

Vintage Cameras
Image credit: Mick from England CC BY 2.0/Wiki Commons.

There certainly is a market for vintage cameras. Many collectors and photography enthusiasts would buy an old camera from reputable brands like Canon, Nikon or Leica. If the camera is in good working condition, there’s a bigger chance of reselling it. 

However, even if it’s in non-working condition, don’t miss the opportunity to get one. Old, non-working cameras can still be valuable for their history and superb craftsmanship. Do you research before buying one, but you may have found a real treasure here.

10. Bone China Dinnerware

Bone China Dinnerware
Image credit: By mickey_glitter CC BY 2.0/Wiki Commons.

Bone china dinnerware is a great find at thrift stores, whether for your own use or for sale. They are made by mixing bone ash, kaolin, and feldspar, among others. The process of making these wares can be traced back to the 18th century. 

Finding bone china ceramic is quite a treasure, as they are rare and valuable. They are often very sturdy and have a wide diversity of patterns on them. Avid collectors are willing to pay for genuine bone china. Brands like Royal Doulton, Lenox, Meissen, and Wedgwood are especially south after. Especially if you can get them in bigger sets, good condition, or discontinued designs, these are something to look into.

11. Hardbound Books

Hardbound Books
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If you find hardbound books at a thrift store, look a little closer. These books can be worth a lot, especially if they are first editions of popular authors or have out-of-print titles. Many collectors are willing to pay for a book with these characteristics. 

However, you must make sure that the book is in good condition. The cover should be intact and the rest of the book should also still be readable. If you can find one with an existing dust jacket, even better, as it keeps the condition of the book over the years.

12. Signed Art

Signed Art of Pablo Picasso
Image credit: Glafoululle des Alpes CC0/Wiki Commons.

Signed art pieces are great collectibles. They show that the piece was made by a specific artist, which can be worth a lot based on the piece and the condition of it. These art pieces can include posters, prints and caricatures. 

It is especially valuable if the artist is famous. For example, a man purchased an older poster of Pablo Picasso’s art exhibit from a thrift store in Ohio in 2012. The man purchased it for $14 but was able to sell it for $7,000 as it was signed by Picasso himself.

13. Antique Jewelry

Antique Jewelry
Image credit: Gary Todd CC0/Wiki Commons.

If you are into jewelry, then you can hunt for antique ones at thrift stores. These antique jewelry pieces can be made of gold or silver and precious gems. The techniques used to make antique jewelry often reflect the era they came from. Victorian-era jewellery is especially sought-after. You will do well when you resell a piece or two.

For example, a British woman purchased a brooch in 2011 for $35. Decades later, she saw a TV program and realized the brooch might be worth something. It turned out it was true, as it was designed by a Victorian-era architect and artist, and she sold it for $12,000.

14. Old Maps

old map
Image credit: Willem Blaeu/Wiki Commons.

Old maps are great collectibles that show how places were viewed in the past. You can often see outdated borders and territories that were unexplored back then, which is super fun to see. 

Hand-draw maps are more valuable, especially if they’re from a well-known cartographer. It takes a lot of time and effort for a cartographer to hand-draw a map. Many collectors will vie to purchase such a map because of its artistic quality and history.

15. Studio Pottery

Studio Pottery
Image credit: Bernard Leach CC BY-SA 3.0/Wiki Commons.

Don’t ignore the pottery you see in thrift shops. Check if they are one-of-a-kind or handmade. Most studio potteries are made by skilled artisans or ceramicists in limited quantities only. Hence, they can be highly valuable.  

Collectors are willing to buy these potteries because they are unique and often have the personal touch of the maker. If you find one, make sure to look for any marking from the artisan. It’s usually their name or signature. Look up their names online to verify, such as through The Marks Project

16. Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver Pin
Image credit: Auckland Museum CC BY 4.0/Wiki Commons.

If you see faded silver kitchenware, decorative or trinkets on your next visit to the thrift shop, don’t ignore it. Check if there is an etching of “925 or 92.5.” These items are sterling silver. They may look faded and unattractive now, but you can easily restore them with a good polish. 

These silver pieces can resell well, especially if you find pieces from brands like Christofle, Tiffany & Co, Whiting, or Buccellati. After a good polishing, your silver piece will be as good as new.

17. Pedestals

Pedestals
Image credit: gioiak2/Depositphotos.

On your next thrift shopping, check out if there are pedestals for sale. Pedestals made of marble or lacquered wood are in high demand. Many people buy them as plant stands, wall decors, side tables or a stand for art pieces. 

You can purchase some and resell them online to discern buyers. If you have an old or antique piece, check how much it’s worth online, as you may be able to sell it for a higher price. 

18. Discontinued Toys

old toys
Image credit: Elmer B. Domingo CC BY-SA 4.0/Wiki Commons.

Toys are not only for kids, especially if they are no longer produced. Thrift stores often burst at their seams with toys. If you see a toy that is no longer on sale or being manufactured, chances are you found a treasure. 

Toy collectors are willing to pay for toys from the 1970s or 1980s that are in good condition, limited editions, are no longer made today, and are considered collectibles. For example, a 1978 version of a vinyl-caped Jawa from the Star Wars collection can sell for as high as $22,000 at auctions if the original package is intact. 

16 Reasons to Stop Donating Your Items to Goodwill

Woman organizing clothes to donate
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Many assume they’re doing a good deed by donating their old stuff to Goodwill. But your decision might end up backfiring, even if you didn’t mean it to. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to share your unused items, but are you sure that Goodwill is the best place to do it? There are quite some things they hide from the public. It’s better to understand the negative implications of going to Goodwill rather than going there in good faith, unaware of the harm they may cause.

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12 Things to Never Buy at a Thrift Store Even If is a Bargain

Thriftshop
Credit: Depositphotos

Thrift stores are a great way to save cash while still getting quality items. These stores are great for recycling the things people don’t want or need anymore. There is a saying, “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure,” and thrift stores are perfect examples. 

12 Things to Never Buy at a Thrift Store Even If is a Bargain

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