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Article created by: Viktorija Ošikaitė

There are a lot of benefits to thrifting, the cost-savings, helping the planet, and just having fun. But one, underappreciated benefit is the fact that if you look long and hard enough, you will encounter unexpected treasures

We’ve gathered some of the most interesting and lucky “finds” people have encountered at thrift stores, vintage shops, and garage sales. From unique furniture to incredible, one-of-one nick-nacks, be sure to upvote your favorites as you scroll through and share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below. 

#1

I Found This Little Birb Thimble At An Antique Store In Gatlinburg And Fell In Love

Small vintage bird-shaped thimble on finger, a lucky secondhand find from shopping treasures.

Now I just walk around with it on my finger and peck at people because I’m clearly an adult that has their priorities straight

Kelli Dunn Report

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    #2

    I Did Not Need A Cookie Jar But There Was No Walking Away From This Silly Gal

    Ceramic hippo figurine styled with a cookie, yarn skirt, and bath cap, showcasing lucky secondhand shopping finds.

    A good friend recommended I make her a tutu, so I did, of course. Now the hippo has a name - Stella - and has taken over the house

    Jennifer Kingman Report

    #3

    Stumbled On This At A Yard Sale In Pa I Almost Crashed And Couldn’t Turn Around Fast Enough Lol, I Lucked Out It Fits Perfect!

    Large wooden Pharaoh statue being moved in pickup truck and displayed indoors, a rare find when shopping secondhand.

    Mike Witkowski Report

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    #4

    Found This Really Cool Giant Book Coffee Table On Facebook Marketplace Yesterday. The “Spines” Open As Drawers. Each Book Is Actually Leather Bound

    Coffee table designed from stacked vintage books with hidden drawers, found while shopping secondhand, placed on colorful rug.

    "It’s HUGE and heavy as heck! It’s missing one leg but I think I’ll prop it up with hardcover books"

    Birdie Wood Report

    #5

    Found Today At King's Hardware In Shreveport, La. Came Home With Me Immediately! Nibbler The Cat Is Getting Properly Introduced

    Tabby cat standing on a table next to a colorful stained glass panel depicting multiple cats, a secondhand treasure find.

    Abbie Machowski Report

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    #6

    Been Meaning To Share My Sons Rocking Dragon. My Father And I Found It On The Facebook Market Place Two Christmas Ago When I Was Pregnant

    Wooden rocking horse with intricate dragon design found by lucky people shopping secondhand, showcasing unique craftsmanship.

    "By the time I reached out to the seller it was sold. I was so bummed until Christmas morning and found out it was my dad who purchased it. I had no idea he even knew about it. He had no idea I also tried to buy it. It is made entirely out of wood. The craftsman ship is remarkable. The previous owner said their grandmother won it at a church auction and it had been in their family for a long time and they know nothing about it or who made it. Not signed or marked anywhere. It is now our family’s treasure and will be passed down."

    Jamie Settell Report

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    #7

    We Moved Into A Vintage 1962 House With Everything Original. This Dollhouse Was Built Into The Cabinets In One Of The Rooms And I Was Gifted It To Keep Safe And Enjoy

    Detailed miniature dollhouse with vintage furniture and decor, showcasing unique secondhand shopping finds.

    Mary built this over a ten year period while she was sick

    Emily Millar Report

    #8

    Griswald Definitely Approves Of This Garage Sale Find

    Gray cat resting on a vintage miniature chaise lounge, a perfect secondhand shopping treasure found by lucky people

    Elisabeth Guetle‎ Report

    #9

    I Lost My Boston Terrier, Ollie, To Old Age This Summer And I’m Pretty Sure I Found Him At Goodwill Today As Christmas China

    Black and white Boston Terrier dog with a matching painted bowl featuring a red bow, showcasing lucky secondhand finds.

    Sarah Taschetta Report

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    #10

    Last Weekend, As I'm Going Into This Antique Store On A Whim, I Jokingly Tell Myself "Maybe There's A Lenox Spice Village In Here Just Waiting For Me To Take It Home."

    Collection of charming secondhand miniature houses displayed on a wooden wall shelf and table surface.

    I explore about 3/4 of the store and look over at a junky shelf of stuff while squeezing past it and ***squeeeeeal*** I spot adorable little ceramic houses thinking "COULD THIS BE IT?" IT WAS A SPICE VILLAGE, complete with the original paperwork and shelf!!! I immediately run to get a hand basket and gingerly place all the houses inside and sprint to the checkout counter to purchase my FAVORITE antique store purchase EVER!! It ended up having one jar missing, but I found it on Etsy and snatched it up so fast! Also, I only have one tiny wall in my tiny kitchen, and would you believe this beauty fits perfectly on it?!?!?

    Heather Eck Report

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    #11

    Picked Up On The Side Of The Road A Few Weeks Ago. It Is A Victorian Era Conversation Setee, For Courting Couples. The Weird Thing Is That It Was On The Side Of The Road With A Bunch Of Junk

    Curved vintage secondhand loveseat with gold wood frame and red velvet upholstery, showcasing unique antique furniture find.

    Weird Secondhand Finds That Just Need To Be Shared Report

    #12

    My Greatest Thrift Find Ever. When I Bought It I Only Thought The Dots Would Glow. I Was Shocked When I Turned It On!! Best $10 I Ever Spent. Hope House Foundation Thrift Shop, Norfolk Va

    Vintage celestial globes showing constellations, striking gold finds from lucky secondhand shopping discoveries.

    Hannah Marie Report

    #13

    Found This At A Goodwill Today. Too Good

    Hand holding a vintage gold-framed embroidered sign found while shopping secondhand, featuring a humorous message.

    Jonny N Emerick Report

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    #14

    Duckie Mirror Absolutely Came Home With Me

    Oval mirror with duck feet stand on carpet and a thumb-up reflection showing a lucky secondhand shopping find.

    WeirdSecondhandFinds Report

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    #15

    This Stain Glass Whale Light Measuring 4' Long Was Going To Be Thrown In A Dumpster

    Stained glass whale lamp found when shopping secondhand, shown unlit and lit, hanging from ceiling indoors.

    It was hanging in a wood shop so it was covered with a thick layer of saw dust. I brought it home and cleaned it up really well and it turned out looking really nice. I love whales and I'm extremely happy to have saved this beautiful one of a kind piece of art from being destroyed. It's in it's forever home!

    Chris Braga Report

    #16

    My Best Thrifted Find. I Especially Loved The Previous Owners Little Message, As It’s Now Used As An Art Studio In A Box

    Vintage wooden cabinet with multiple compartments, a marble top, and a label reading sweet fruit found secondhand.

    Melissa Charpentier Report

    #17

    I've Collected These Pieces From Various Thrift Shops, Antique Stores, And Yard Sales Over The Years. Some Are True Depression Glass From The 30s And Some Are Mid-Century

    Colorful vintage glassware collection displayed on shelves, showcasing rare finds from secondhand shopping treasures.

    Collie McYeargan Report

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    #18

    Found The Oddest But Most Perfect Leash/Lead For Our Little Dachshund Today In The Local Charity Shop

    Small brown dog on leash held by shadowed person on paved sidewalk, captured in bright daylight.

    Katherine Rea Report

    #19

    Got This Coffee Table At An Estate Sale Today! Ridiculously Excited About This. I Loooove Turtles!

    Glass-top table with a sea turtle and coral base, a unique find for lucky secondhand shoppers.

    Marcy Medeiros Crocker Report

    #20

    Not Necessarily A ‘Find’ But Today My Uncle Gave Me This Chair, Which He Got From His Uncle Years Ago, Who I Believe Bought It In The 60s Or 70s

    Round vintage couch with tufted upholstery and decorative pillows in cozy living room, a lucky secondhand shopping find.

    I’ve loved this chair since I was a child and was so excited when he offered it to me

    Holly Murphy Report

    #21

    Y'all, My Local Bin Dig Store Had A Fill-A-Cart For $10 Sale, So I Started Filling Up On Small Toys To Hand Out At Halloween

    Vintage James Bond Visa card wallet and metal tools found secondhand, a lucky discovery for collectors and enthusiasts.

    I grabbed this fake credit card, because it said James Bond on it. This morning, I noticed there was a slider on the back and opened it. It's a freaking LOCK PICKING SET!!! ETA: I am definitely keeping this!

    Amanda L. Richards‎ Report

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    #22

    Was In A Thrift Store With My Partner When I Saw This Painting

    Abstract green and white painting displayed with an artist bio card featuring a snapping turtle, showcasing secondhand art finds.

    Thought it was just abstract, until closer inspection, when we saw the "About the artist" paper taped to the painting - it was painted by a snapping turtle named marshmallow! I knew at that moment I needed to take it home with me

    Erin Anne Report

    #23

    Picked Up These Cast Iron Cat Andirons Up From My Buy Nothing Group. I Can't Wait To See Them With The Flames Behind The Eyes!

    Pair of vintage cast iron cat statues with intricate bases, found by lucky people shopping secondhand treasure.

    Valerie Marino Horowitz Report

    #24

    I Like To Believe Someone's Grandma Worked Really Hard On This! I Feel So Lucky To Own It!

    Framed vintage Christmas tree art made from brooches, transformed with colorful lights, a lucky secondhand find.

    Kelsey Johnson Report

    #25

    Found A Cat Sized Tiara For My Princess

    Cat wearing a small tiara, representing lucky people who struck gold when shopping secondhand with unexpected treasures.

    WeirdSecondhandFinds Report

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    #26

    Pulled Up To A Friends House And Her Neighbor Had This Thrown Out By The Road In The Rain. I Had To Swoop In And Save The Day With This Unique Unicorn Of A Flippy Chair Table

    Vintage wooden table that converts into a chair, showcasing a lucky secondhand shopping find struck gold.

    "The cushion is soaking wet so its propped up against the wall not pictured"

    Autumn Vaughn Report

    #27

    My Great, Great, Grandmothers Table From Mexico

    Wooden dining table with floral accents and matching chairs, a lucky secondhand find in a home kitchen setting.

    My great grandmother brought it to TX when she came to the US and she gave it to my grandmother when she and my abuelo bought their first house. My grandma passed it on to my mom when she bought her first house. I've lived all over the US and the table was too delicate to ship but I knew some say I'd get that table. I bought my first house (20 years after my travels) last year when I moved back home and this was one of the first items I moved into the house. My mom and I cried as we brought it in and set it up. My family had so little when they came to the US but this table was always there. To drink cafe con pan and talk chisme (gossip), to cry, to discuss difficult decisions and to celebrate anything and everyone. Oh the stories this table could tell. Makes me so proud to be a part of this long line of strong resilient amazing women

    Angelica Mendoza-Carrillo Report

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    #28

    I See All Your Sassy Teapots, But I Think I Found Something Even More Sassy. I Present To You All The Sassy Grandfather Clock!

    Unique secondhand clock with a quirky bent design and arms in a bright room, showcasing lucky finds while shopping secondhand.

    Jessie Finn Report

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    #29

    I Rescued This Incredible Globe From The Trash, It’s About 20” Tall And Handcrafted With Semi-Precious Stones And A Brass Base

    Vintage globe with colorful world map on a brass stand found by lucky people shopping secondhand treasures

    Pete Anthonius Leggio Report

    #30

    I Found This Old TV When Cleaning Out In The Attic In My Grandma's House

    Vintage wooden TV repurposed as a bar cabinet with liquor bottles inside, showcasing lucky secondhand shopping finds.

    They put in under a blanket to keep it away from dust and I think it has been there for over 40 years. Instead of throwing it away I took it with me and built a bar. You can store 12 bottles in it and turn on the light with the original on/off button hope you like it

    Thomas Schlund Report

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    #31

    This Came Home With Me. It's Brilliant And Well Crafted

    Framed colorful penguin embroidery with a rainbow detail, showcasing a unique secondhand shopping find on a wall.

    Emily Erin Report

    #32

    Had To Spruce Her Up A Bit

    Large manatee-shaped mailboxes before and after restoration, showcasing lucky secondhand shopping finds with unique decor pieces.

    Amber Jones Report

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    #33

    Teeny Tiny Fully Functional Knife With Mother Of Pearl Handle

    Small vintage pocket knife found secondhand, shown folded and open in a hand with silver rings.

    I got this year's ago at a garage sale and it lives on a shelf next to my bed. You know for protection against leprechauns, gnomes and fairies

    WeirdSecondhandFinds Report

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    #34

    This Is The Tiniest Set Of Nesting Dolls I’ve Ever Seen. Brother And I Were Crying In Laughter As They Kept Getting Smaller And Smaller

    Seven nested Russian dolls with intricate floral designs next to a quarter, showing rare finds from secondhand shopping.

    Jessica Schermerhorn Report

    #35

    I Asked The Price. The Man Said $20. I Was Shocked. I Thought He Meant $120

    Woman holding a detailed wooden dollhouse found at a secondhand market, showcasing lucky people who struck gold shopping secondhand.

    He told me he’d gladly accept more, so I threw the $20 at him and ran. No joke, I literally ran away with this beauty like I stole it

    Tommie Taylor Alexander Report

    #36

    Hand-Carved African Bed, You Immediately Spend Your Entire Stimulus Check To Bring It Home

    Hand-carved wooden bed frame with intricate botanical designs, found by lucky people shopping secondhand.

    From a social distancing-compliant yard sale in Mechanicsville, VA... When someone is selling their intricate, one-of-a-kind, hand-carved african bed, created from teak logs found at the bottom of a kenyan river, you immediately spend your entire stimulus check to bring it home (as I did)

    Jeremy DiMaio Report

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    #37

    Found A Magazine Ad Of My Great Grandma And Twin Uncles From 1952! They're All Gone Now, So It's A Doubly Amazing Fin

    Vintage Quaker Oats advertisement from 1932 featuring children and a mother promoting healthy secondhand shopping finds.

    ‎Larissa René Helm Report

    #38

    $15 From Salvation Army Store! Printed On Wood, Definitely Before The Movies

    Fantasy-themed vintage poster featuring wizards and knights, a lucky secondhand find for collectors and enthusiasts.

    Weird Secondhand Finds That Just Need To Be Shared Report

    #39

    This Was Hand Made In The Seventies And Is One Of A Kind! Bought It Second Hand And Finally Got It Into My Space Today

    Carved wooden cabinet with floral designs, an example of lucky people who struck gold when shopping secondhand furniture.

    It's so gorgeous and the details are amazing. I'm an herbalist and I'm going to use it as a magical herbal storage hutch. I thought it needed to be seen and appreciated here with all of you creative lovely treasure hunters!

    Kiely Quinn Report

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    #40

    It's A Murder Mystery Writers Desk Teapot I Found At Value Village For $10, And I Just Found The Kitchen Sink Teapot At Goodwill For $5 I Think 2 Makes It A Collection, Right?

    Unique secondhand teapots shaped like a vintage desk with typewriter and a kitchen sink with dishes inside a thrift store.

    WeirdSecondhandFinds Report

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    #41

    My Mom Got Me This Today At The Thrift Store And I Love It

    Unique octopus-shaped bronze stand holding a bowl, a lucky secondhand find by people who struck gold shopping.

    ‎Rigor Morris‎ Report

    #42

    I Found This Last Week And It’s Definitely My Favorite Thing I’ve Seen At An Antique Or Thrift Store. Introducing The Violin Vampire Killing Kit!

    Vintage vampire k*****g kit displayed inside an old coffin-shaped case found by lucky people shopping secondhand.

    Amanda Anatole Report

    #43

    Found This Jar To Put Your Coffee Grounds In. Love It. Bought It. Has A Fake Little Electrical Cord Too

    Blue vintage electric teapot with unique design and attached cord, a rare find for lucky secondhand shoppers.

    Mary Ruggeri Report

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    #44

    Ound A New Container For All My Arsenic!

    Vintage ceramic arsenic container with floral design found among secondhand kitchen items, showcasing a lucky secondhand find.

    Laura Jean Report

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    #45

    My Tissue Box On My Wall At Work

    Green stone face sculpture with a tissue in its nose mounted on a black frame, a lucky secondhand find for home decor.

    WeirdSecondhandFinds Report