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As Forrest Gump so astutely said, “Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're going to get.” And as it turns out, anywhere you might do some thrift shopping is akin to a box of chocolates as well!

Below, we’ve gathered photos of some of the most terrifying and unsettling items shoppers have stumbled upon in brick and mortar and virtual secondhand shops, courtesy of the Thrift Store Hauls subreddit. Enjoy viewing these pics that might make you reconsider your upcoming trip to Goodwill, and keep reading to find a conversation with thrifting expert Hannah Rupp!

#1

$200 Was Too High For Me But My Mom Insisted On Buying This Adorable Cabinet For My Daughter's Disney-Themed Bedroom

$200 Was Too High For Me But My Mom Insisted On Buying This Adorable Cabinet For My Daughter's Disney-Themed Bedroom

bunnybutt1982 Report

#2

Had To Convince Myself That Buying This Bear Was Worth It. Realized It Was A “Build A Bear” Store Display. Painted It Like A Washed Up Build A Bear

Had To Convince Myself That Buying This Bear Was Worth It. Realized It Was A “Build A Bear” Store Display. Painted It Like A Washed Up Build A Bear

QUEUE-Q Report

#3

Found A Signed Gabriel Iglesias Action Figure At Goodwill And He Confirmed It Was His Signature On Twitter

Found A Signed Gabriel Iglesias Action Figure At Goodwill And He Confirmed It Was His Signature On Twitter

texastechtanner Report

Part of the fun of going thrift shopping is that you never know exactly what you’ll come across. It’s often a mistake to go in search of one specific item, unless you have hours to kill and various stores to visit, because you might end up going home disappointed. But when you allow the spirit of Goodwill, Humana or Oxfam to guide you through the store, you might stumble upon some amazing gems. Almost all of my wardrobe came from secondhand shops, and because I’m such an avid thrifter, I find a trip to a retail store to be incredibly boring. Of course they have my size, they have everyone’s size! And there’s no need to sift through piles or racks upon racks. Everything is perfectly laid out for you already, and to be honest, there’s no thrill involved.

Thrifting, on the other hand, is so much more exciting. And nobody knows that better than the members of the Thrift Store Hauls subreddit. This group, which has been around since August 2011, has amassed an impressive 2.6 million members. They share anything and everything they find, from amazing deals on fabulous items to creepy clowns that will haunt their dreams. And as you can see, today we’re highlighting the most unsettling corner of the subreddit.

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#5

Hell Yeah, Karen

Hell Yeah, Karen

Cassie_1991 Report

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Amy Taylor
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I would buy this for my cousin Karen in a nanosecond! Funny how all the people really named Karen are cool people! 😂

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#6

This Old Lady Was Selling Her Painted Baby Dolls At The Flea Market And Nobody Had Bought Any, It Was $20 But I Couldn’t Find It In Me To Haggle Her Down. She Told Me She Made The Suit By Hand. My New Fav Office Decoration!

This Old Lady Was Selling Her Painted Baby Dolls At The Flea Market And Nobody Had Bought Any, It Was $20 But I Couldn’t Find It In Me To Haggle Her Down. She Told Me She Made The Suit By Hand. My New Fav Office Decoration!

Apostleguts Report

I cannot tell you how many trips I’ve made to thrift stores in my lifetime; I honestly couldn’t even begin to guess how many there have been. But as much as I love a great Goodwill, I will admit that there are always questionable items. About 95% of the store is full of things I would never ever purchase for myself, but that 5% of decent, and 1% of amazing, items makes the whole trip worth it. Plus, coming across these outlandish and frightening items makes the trip more entertaining as well. You don’t have to ever buy them, unless you need a gag gift or a great Halloween costume, but it’s still fun to see what you might discover!

Thrifting is exhilarating, but if you need some inspiration for why you should hop on the secondhand train yourself, we reached out to thrifting expert Hannah Rupp, aka The Outfit Repeater, to hear why “life is sweeter as an outfit repeater”. On her site, Hannah shares style tips, thrift finds, DIY projects and more, and lucky for us, she was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda about how she first got into secondhand shopping.

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#7

$7.99 For This Creepy Alien Lamp. I'm In Love

$7.99 For This Creepy Alien Lamp. I'm In Love

PM_ME_YOUR_HARIBO Report

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𖤐 a m y 𖤐
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

plot twist: the alien is real and it is waiting for the lamp to be broken so it can take over the world.

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#8

I Couldn’t Bear Leaving It Behind But I Have No Room

I Couldn’t Bear Leaving It Behind But I Have No Room

bleucloud99 Report

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“I've been thrifting my entire life,” Hannah shared. “My mom would take my older siblings and me shopping at thrift stores when we were kids. I loved seeing the variety of stuff - I think that's what I still love about it!” As this list goes to show, there’s definitely no lack of variety in these stores!

#10

Sylvester Stallone Prop Found In A Thrift Store

Sylvester Stallone Prop Found In A Thrift Store

reddit.com Report

#11

That Time I Found Two Winnie The Pooh Costumes. One Fit Me And The Other Was A Dog Costume That Fit Betty, Our Boston Terrier

That Time I Found Two Winnie The Pooh Costumes. One Fit Me And The Other Was A Dog Costume That Fit Betty, Our Boston Terrier

Downhome Report

#12

Found At Goodwill, Couldn't Pass Him Up For Our Home Theater. We Call Him Fes!

Found At Goodwill, Couldn't Pass Him Up For Our Home Theater. We Call Him Fes!

jus_havin_fun Report

As a thrifting aficionado, Hannah has certainly come across some interesting items in her time, so we were curious if she remembered any particularly bizarre finds. “One item that stands out was a Ziploc bag of kids' toys,” she told Bored Panda. “I noticed a toy inside that I was interested in, and I opened the bag to get it and realized the entire bag was soaked in condensation. Rather than forget the item, I reached inside and grabbed it. I used hand sanitizer immediately following the interaction.” Yeah, I think that would give any shopper nightmares…

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As great as shopping secondhand is, even thrifting enthusiasts don’t buy everything gently used, so we asked Hannah if there’s anything she tries to avoid buying secondhand. “In my opinion, buying secondhand electronics or gadgets is a very risky gamble,” she noted. “Aside from possibly being old and unusable, it could be a fire hazard. Most thrift stores don't test their items beforehand, so you're taking a big chance on buying them!”

#17

I Found This Pretty Nifty Cycling Jersey Today At Gw

I Found This Pretty Nifty Cycling Jersey Today At Gw

jennjenn1184 Report

If you’re interested in diving into the world of thrifting yourself, but you’re (understandably) a bit frightened by the photos on this list, Hannah recommends to “pick a store and just focus on one section and really take your time examining everything.” And always make sure to check the item for any damage or imperfections before buying it, Hannah warns. "Thrift shopping gets easier with practice, so just keep going, exploring, and enjoy the experience!”

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If you’d like to gain more tips for your next secondhand shopping journey or hear more wise words from Hannah, be sure to check out her site The Outfit Repeater right here!

#19

"Garden Decor" For Sale On Fb Marketplace

"Garden Decor" For Sale On Fb Marketplace

Whatshername_Stew Report

#20

Veggie Clown Portrait - Double The Scary, Double The Fun $16

Veggie Clown Portrait - Double The Scary, Double The Fun $16

TOMTREEWELL Report

#21

Vtg Gremlins Christmas Ornaments For $3 A Piece!

Vtg Gremlins Christmas Ornaments For $3 A Piece!

boxoffingernails Report

Every thrift store is a little bit different, so you’re always in for a surprise when you go out shopping for something used. But if you live in the United States and you come across something that is genuinely concerning or unsafe, it might be a violation of Consumer Product Safety Commission regulations. According to the CPSC, when in doubt, throw it out. “Products used in the nursery, especially cribs and bassinets, have caused deaths and have been the subject of numerous recalls of millions of units,” they explain on their site. “Do not sell any broken or wobbly nursery furniture or durable infant product that is missing parts, even if it has not been recalled. A baby’s life could depend on it. The risk is too high.”

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#22

1970’s Rmic Hand Chair

1970’s Rmic Hand Chair

Responsible_Play_400 Report

#24

Where I Am Going, There Are No Roads…

Where I Am Going, There Are No Roads…

KatzDeli Report

The CPSC also notes that resellers are not required to test products for safety, so, as Hannah noted, shoppers must be extremely cautious when they’re purchasing anything that might pose a risk. And if you come across an individual or business selling products that violate the law, don’t be afraid to report hazardous products right here. Secondhand shopping should be an enjoyable experience, and sure, you might come across items that are bizarre or a bit unsettling! But no one's safety should be compromised by a simple shopping trip. 

#25

This Sealed Big Mac Tin From 1996 Contains Candy That Is 27 Years Old

This Sealed Big Mac Tin From 1996 Contains Candy That Is 27 Years Old

cheesepuff311 Report

#26

I Paid 28 Cents For This. Come At Me Cannibals!

I Paid 28 Cents For This. Come At Me Cannibals!

Vegetable-Language45 Report

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Kraneia The Dancing Dryad
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thinking this is meant to be applied on chickens that have been wounded somehow. When chickens see wounds they pick at them, you'll lose a lot of your flock cos they'll eat each other .

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#27

Christian Dior Wool Skirt For $14 At Uptown Cheapskate! Came With A Tag, Too... If It's Fake, It's Still 100% Worsted Wool. Pockets, Too!

Christian Dior Wool Skirt For $14 At Uptown Cheapskate! Came With A Tag, Too... If It's Fake, It's Still 100% Worsted Wool. Pockets, Too!

goldenglizzy Report

Normally, I’m a huge proponent of thrifting, but I have to admit, seeing these photos doesn’t make taking a trip to Humana or Goodwill seem too appealing… We hope you’re getting a kick out of these terrifying items, pandas, and remember to keep upvoting the ones you find most bizarre. Then, after you’re finished scrolling through this list, if you’re interested in checking out another Bored Panda article featuring unexpected items found in secondhand shops, look no further than right here!

#30

I’m Afraid Of This Wood For Sale On Facebook Marketplace

I’m Afraid Of This Wood For Sale On Facebook Marketplace

Extreme_Distance6241 Report

#31

Best $2 Thrift Store Find Of My Life!!

Best $2 Thrift Store Find Of My Life!!

brandysbutthxle Report

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Cat Chat
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

One year, my mom made all us kids homemade versions. Her siblings loved them so much, she made one for each of them.... anatomically correct 🤣... and that's how our sex education began 😉

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#33

An Unopened Talking Psyduck Figure From 1998 For $10

An Unopened Talking Psyduck Figure From 1998 For $10

Tronesos_Azurnat Report

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Jonny Man
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You know, a part of me is kinda sad that for 25 years this little toy has sat around not being played with. Never even left the box! Hopefully some Poké-parent will find and gift this to their kid, so that the child can start their own journey... to "Catch 'em all!"

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#34

Hard Pass, But Thanks For The Nightmares

Hard Pass, But Thanks For The Nightmares

operachick209 Report

#35

This Horrific Vintage Rushton Plush Bunny Rabbit. Included In A Mystery Box Lot Of Vintage Plush For $2!

This Horrific Vintage Rushton Plush Bunny Rabbit. Included In A Mystery Box Lot Of Vintage Plush For $2!

Downhome Report

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Grudge-holding Treefrog
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

AAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH *deep breath* AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

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#36

My Son Is Obsessed With Poppy Playtime, But All The Merch Is Ridiculously Expensive. I Found These Two For 25 Cents A Piece

My Son Is Obsessed With Poppy Playtime, But All The Merch Is Ridiculously Expensive. I Found These Two For 25 Cents A Piece

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Diane Range
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Aren't these the ones that parents online were warning about a few years ago??

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#37

We’re Gonna Party Like It’s 1955

We’re Gonna Party Like It’s 1955

bevans052 Report

#38

Saw These “Custom” Air Forces On Facebook Marketplace

Saw These “Custom” Air Forces On Facebook Marketplace

Reasonable_Can_9903 Report

#40

C & R At Goodwill- Wooden Moose

C & R At Goodwill- Wooden Moose

codeesins Report

#41

Catch And Release

Catch And Release

RabbitBeard Report

#42

Actual Catch And Release

Actual Catch And Release

aviderin Report

#43

Say Hello To Charlie. Charlie Was A Mistake

Say Hello To Charlie. Charlie Was A Mistake

glytxh Report

#44

My 5 Foot Tall Woody Woodpecker

My 5 Foot Tall Woody Woodpecker

fun19922023 Report

#45

We Found This Massive Print Secondhand. My BF Immediately Knew He Wanted It

We Found This Massive Print Secondhand. My BF Immediately Knew He Wanted It

poshfiend Report

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David
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That one in the bottom right just slipped something into your drink.

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#46

Catch And Release - Really Didn't Smell Very Good

Catch And Release - Really Didn't Smell Very Good

amobogio Report

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𖤐 a m y 𖤐
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it smells like bigotry, with notes of creepiness and idiocy, and a hint of spray tan!

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#47

Found These Nightmares Wall Sculptures But Only Took Home One Of Them

Found These Nightmares Wall Sculptures But Only Took Home One Of Them

AliEffinNoble Report

#49

Creepy Haul At A Local Value Village

Creepy Haul At A Local Value Village

BeautifulJustDaWayUR Report

#50

The Goodwill Outlet Bins Are A Scary, Scary Place

The Goodwill Outlet Bins Are A Scary, Scary Place

Electrical-Pin-8830 Report

Note: this post originally had 99 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.