50 Times People Discovered Such Surprising Secondhand Finds, They Just Had To Share Pics Online
Thrift stores, flea markets, and garage sales are basically new versions of ancient archeological sites.
Upon entering them, you never know what you're gonna find and hours later, it's usually one of the two: either you leave empty-handed, asking yourself why spend so much time for nothing, or come across a hidden gem that makes even those disappointing endeavors worth it.
Interestingly, the Facebook group 'Vintage and weird things you have found' has the best of both. Its 185K members regularly share pictures of their most memorable discoveries, and if they don't inspire you to check out your local second-hand store, honestly, I don't know what will.
More info: Facebook
This post may include affiliate links.
A Lovely Bed For A Kid!
When You’re Lucky Enough To Wake Up At 3 Am To Use The Bathroom And Log Onto Facebook Marketplace And Find The Camper Of Your Dreams That You Wanted For Years
And that was only listed for 11 minutes
Chances are, online groups like 'Vintage and weird things you have found' are going to be getting more and more content. As inflation continues driving shoppers to reach deep into their pockets, many are doing what they can to make or save some extra cash. One of those options is second-hand selling and shopping.
"We purchase 200-300 items every single day," Style Encore at Lake Charles, Louisiana, owner Stacey Buller said. An industry that was hurting during the height of the pandemic is now seeing more business with inflation-propelled costs.
I Scored This Stunning Deep Scarlett Victorian Gown Exactly My Size!!
My Husband Was Pretty Much Paid $40 To Remove This From Someone’s Home
Has to be the luckiest find ever!! It would be hard to find anything like it.
Trash Picked This Mcm Accordion Front TV Stand And Made A Dog Bed Out Of It!
Notice Blackie in the same pose as in the painting above
"During Covid, it was pretty slow but then within the past couple of months, we've seen our foot traffic get heavier and heavier," Buller explained.
The market for bargains is growing and Buller said women are coming in looking for anything from work to athletic clothes.
"Ladies come in to look for a dress for church or their casual clothing, their athletic, a lot of people are getting back into the gyms."
Found This Unique Table While Thrifting. Very Intricate
Edit: Yes, I am aware that this is a ouija board. Yes, it came home with me. I’m simply an oddity collector. No one is summoning demons in my house.
I Found This Beautiful Royal Sealy Teacup
It has a bit of what looks like glue on the plate and side of cup. But other than that, beautiful! I can’t wait to drink out of it. (I know it probably has lead. I don’t care)
Look What I Got Today. I Have Wanted A Vanity Like This Since I Was About 12
I Recently Found 4 Sketches By Norman Bridwell Author Of Clifford The Big Red Dog
They are approximately 30 x 19 inches, they were laminated when I found them. They were given to a school after he did a talk there
Inflation price hikes are leaving many customers questioning, why pay full when there are racks and racks of steals and deals at second-hand stores?
"A lot of ladies are coming in to sell for that quick cash, or they're even shopping. All of our prices are 50-90% below retail of the big box stores so they can get a really, really good deal," Buller added.
1930’s Windsor Gas Oven
Here I Am In My Backyard In Last Saturday's Work Ensem, Which Is Basically A Dress (With A Full Petticoat Underneath) Over A Skirt
The vintage parts are the thrifted hat and gloves. All other parts (except for the skirt) were also thrifted, as was Kalmah's hat
Banana Holder
I Acquired This Ladies Art Deco Dresser Set And Think It’s Absolutely Fabulous
But it's not just the physical stores where people can make an extra buck. An average American has 36 unwanted items in their homes, worth $3,675, that they could turn into cash, according to a 2021 report by online marketplace eBay.
The document took a look at what motivated its sellers of secondhand products over the past year, and learned that a majority of sellers who were new to eBay said they began selling pre-owned goods to simply make some cash.
I Now Have A Stone Apple To Go With The Stone Watermelon Slice And Stone Egg. Don’t Ask What I’m Doing With My Life, I Have No Idea
Kenneth Jay Lane 1960s Whimsical Starburst Ruby And Diamond Faux Costume Brooch In Immaculate Condition 3.99...
Omg I’m So Excited About Today’s Purchase
Maybe Not The Most Practical Purchase Ever, But Saw The Giraffe In Goodwill Today And Couldn't Stop Thinking About Him
The report reflects that the pandemic caused more people to buy and sell on its platform. Fourth-quarter revenue in 2020 was up 28% and gross merchandise volume - the value of the goods sold on the platform - was up 21%. For the full year, revenue was up 19% and gross merchandise volume was up 17%, to over $100 billion.
I Got This For $10!
These were ubiquitous among all my aunts and uncles homes.
We had a yellow one. My little brother sat on it for dinners because we only had four chairs. This in the day of chrome legged chairs and kitchen table.
We had one of these when I was growing up, and I found one at Goodwill 25 years ago. My cat loved to sit on it to hang out nearby when I was in the kitchen. Then in a tragic turn it got left behind when we moved in 2003. I'm still sad about that loss.
I have the exact same one! I found it on the side of the road many years ago. I now have 7 mismatched chair/stepstools as our every day dining chairs
I have the same one it was left in the house I bought. I use it about every day as I am 5' 1" lol. It's solid and awesomely handy!
I would love one, so I could reach the tops of cupboards.
Load More Replies...
My grandparents had this and I felt like such a princess every time I got to use it!
Finally a chair that I can rest my feet while sitting in instead of them floating in the air
I finally got one a few years ago because I couldn't reach anything in my old kitchen (in our old warehouse.)
My Grannie and Grampie had one by their back door that I hung out on when I was little and my parents also had one in our kitchen. They were so handy as a step stool or extra seat. Miss them!
Yeah my mom had one worn AF that was white with red trim. She actually has several of the things I've seen on here thus far
They don't make them like this anymore. The steps don't lift up and fully out, they just slide forward and the second step doesn't even come out all the way. Nothing like the old black and white one I grew up with.
This is what my sister and I sat on while my mom did our hair... ours was yellow
We had one of those in my childhood home, but ours was yellow. Incredibly practical.
We have my wife’s grandmother’s stepping stool. Exactly like this.
I used to get a Dad's special haircut in one just like that in the late 50s early 60s!
We had one of those chairs when I was a kid. It was in my Dad's woodshop, and that was where my brother and I were allowed to sit and watch him work. We even had little safety glasses he made us wear.
I have been looking for one forever. The new ones are not as well made.
Great buy especially for the good condition! I have a yellow 1 I’ve had for many years & love it
Love it! My grandma had one like it in her kitchen when I was a kid 💕
I've been looking for one of those. The wiser folx in my family all had one when I was a kid in the 70's.
Parents had 1 when I was growing up. Loved it and WOULD love to have it now
We had one of those for years, as did my grandparents and great-grandparents!!!
holy moly my mom had one of those ..looking at yours brings fond memories
Found This Beauty Literally On The Side Of The Road In A Pile Of Free Stuff
I Have A Love Hate Relationship With This Lamp
I have a love-love relationship with that lamp. I think it's wicked awesome!!
Cleaned And Organized This Vintage Sewing Kit! I Paid $5 For This And Contents At The Salvation Army!
While sellers said they need to make money, buyers were spending freely on collectible sneakers, luxury watches, and trading cards.
eBay, said trading card sales increased by 142% in 2020, with 4 million more cards sold than in 2019.
This 8 By 10 Photograph Was In A Vintage Dresser I Purchased
I do genealogy and I always feel sad by vintage photos with unidentified people. How could anyone throw out family photos? Or not label them for future generations?
My Find While Cleaning Out My Boyfriend's Parent's House!!
A Vintage Quilt My Grandmother Made In The 60s
A Book With A Bullet Hole
Published 1896. This is one of the coolest things I've ever found. Not only is it a trove of lost music and poems, it's well traveled, I found it in a dump of a thrift store in Hollywood, and I'm not the only one who has found it interesting. It has many inscriptions one states it was a gift from some store owner to her writer friend and she got it from TX which had traveled from South Carolina. (See below.) And stranger still? There is a freaking bullet hole in it! (The bullet is gone btw.) But why?! I wish I knew. Was it in someone's pocket? At a saloon? In someone's library? Why the bullet hole? Why?!
Edit: I'm so glad you all find this as interesting and charming as I do! I've added more photos for you all to enjoy! Also turns out there was a Sadiee Gollithan who lived in Nashville around that time. What an odd yet cool name.
Every object has a story behind it, but I bet that book has the most exciting story of them all!
"When times are tough, people have told us that they go back to the things that make them happy, and oftentimes that’s a passion - collecting things like comic books or trading cards - things that bring people joy,” Bradford Shellhammer, vice president of buyer experience at eBay, said.
So I guess we can, in fact, live on just bread and games.
What A Find Today …early 50’s Bakelite Canister Salt Box And Spice Rack
Remember The Scrubby Frog
My Vintage Thrifted Living Room
I Have Been Looking For A House Hippo Since I First Heard The Term In This Group
Today I found her! She’s 3” long, hand painted and vintage. Artists name is signed on bottom- Basil Matthews. There are several articles on House Hippos - I thought they brought good luck. And I’m sticking with the Good Luck theory
I never knew about a house hippo I’ll be sure to look out for one 🥰
Scored This For $20. The Fan Blows Like A Category 5 Hurricane When I Get It Goin
Weird, For Sure!
Curious Kitty Sweet Honest Cologne By Avon. Found At My Favorite Little Boutique
The Lamp Shade Was My Late Mother's Waited Till I Found The Perfect Lamp For It.
$5 Flea Market Find Near Taylor, Mi, It's So Fabulous I Had To Have It!
I Hope This Is The Right Place To Share: Alice In Wonderland Fans Will Enjoy These
I purchased, or should I say convinced my mom to purchase these whimsical earrings for me in the early nineties. They are polymer clay and marionette.
I really love these! They're oddly sinister but cute at the same time!
Saw This At A Habitat For Humanity The Other Day. I Sat In It. It’s Still Calling Me. My Husband Didn’t Like It But I Think It Can Sit On The Back Porch Until Winter. Found In Anderson, Sc.
Picked This Up At A Flea Market This Morning. Not Sure How Old It Is… But I Love It
Ladies And Gentlemen, Behold My Find Today… (Ignore The Little Shop Of Horrors Inside) $65 In Everett, Wa
Found A House Hippo At The Farmers Market Today!
I think I’ll name him Henry, I guess it could be Henrietta. Anyone care to gender my house hippo???
I love that it’s in a sexy pose!
I feel like it's got a "Henry" vibe. Henry has been married since just after high school and has six kids. He is all out of eff's to give about looking good, but LOVES to embarrass his kids. This is him at the beach. Kids are right there and people are staring.
So Wish I Could Bring This Home And Throw A Groovy Cocktail Party! But For $1,700 It’s Still In The Shop
I Bought This Lamp A Number Of Years Ago. It's Been In Storage For A While Until I Can Find The Appropriate Shade
Now the two are married for life of course it was a thrift shop buy I can't remember the price but you know me I'm thrifty
I Pet Sat For My Daughter/Son In Law While They Had My Grandaughter At Cincinnati Children's Hospital For Scheduled Appointments For A Little Over A Week
When they got back today, my daughter handed me the best gift! A Fiona House Hippo!!! I've been watching and hadn't found a house hippo yet, and this one is perfect
Look What I Got Today!
Banana Hat!!! Less Then A Dollar Find Today At A Thrift Store
I Found 2 Bags Of 'Spreaders' - Those Little Decorative Knives Used To Spread Cheese. There Were S Total Of 113! Here's Just An Example Of Them
Fun Stuff From Mom's Collection
Thought You Guys Would Appreciate This
My Mom Found Me This Vintage Madame Alexander Doll Today At Goodwill! It Is Jo From Little Women, One Of My Favorite Characters Ever. I Love It So Much!
Weird Doll Found In Michigan Goodwill Left It There
The next person took it home. Their posetions were donated to goodwill after their untimely demise and the cycle continues.
One Of My Holy Grails!!! Ive Been Wanting One Forever! The Best Part Is It Was Free!!
My family had the same one. My mother sometimes made my dad take it in so it doesn't get stolen.
Note: this post originally had 93 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.
Any goth kids on here may appreciate the fact that I found (and purchased) a pair of Demonia 5" heals for $10 at Goodwill some years back. They're such a dark shade of purple that they're almost black. I seldom wear them since I don't wear heals much anyway, but they are mine forever! For those that don't know, Demonia is EXPENSIVE. The heals I found probably originally cost somewhere around $150-$200.
Wow, talk about a score! I was goth way back in the late 80’s early 90’s and I would have died to have those! Would have gone great with a lot of my weird Victorian fashions. Lol
Load More Replies...
Some real treasures. I dont go thrifting, agoraphobic and immuno-compromised, but I love beautiful old things. This was a very enjoyable browse. Thumbs up. 👍
I love thrifting more than life itself. I like quirky vintage antique things but I also like really nice clothes without having to pay for them. Best value finds recently were a currently retailing at $600 Arcteryx coat for $50, a genuine Tory Burch tote for $6 and an Acubra hat in a pile of junk on the side of the road that fits me perfectly.
Right? Like when I found two brand new Ralph Lauren polos for $12.50 or a brand new Columbia coat for $10!! I also got a really nice Kitchen Aid crock pot for $6. And that was half off. The clerk was bummed cause he wanted to buy it and was hoping someone wouldn't see it. SUCKAH!!
Load More Replies... If you EVER get the chance -- go to thrift & 2nd hand stores in LAS VEGAS! Between hotels going out of business and people moving there then tossing stuff it's like shopping in a CIRCUS! Clothing from old shows, every place has ICE SKATES (in the desert?) and huge amount of cold weather stuff they didn't know they would NEVER use -- boots, hats, coats. Better than any souvenir stand!
If this list has taught me anything, it's that I must be on the lookout for a house hippo
This weekend, Our Lady of Fatima big flea market, it's a tradition in my area. They had their last donation day on Saturday before the sale and I got to look at what they have so far and I'm telling you that place is packed!!! This article is getting me excited this event.
One man's trash...I was once strolling down the street when someone threw out 2 Eames Era bubble lamps. They were yellowed (as most vintage ones are) but otherwise in perfect condition. They cleaned up nicely with a magic eraser and some vinegar. Best find to date!
I guessed as much. I think I've seen a picture of a toy store once, where they had those things.
Found this at Goodwill in Gig Harbor, WA 8 years ago. It wasn't $35 cute, but it was definitely worth a photo to send to my brother to tell this this is what he was getting for xmas that year. IMG_4769-6...b17fb7.jpg 
I don’t go to thrift stores usually other than to donate but my husband has found stereo equipment he can resell for good money. We’ve also found such neat stuff at auctions.
I love find discarded furniture and giving it a unique new life. Check out rae_reamingined for fun flips :)
Any goth kids on here may appreciate the fact that I found (and purchased) a pair of Demonia 5" heals for $10 at Goodwill some years back. They're such a dark shade of purple that they're almost black. I seldom wear them since I don't wear heals much anyway, but they are mine forever! For those that don't know, Demonia is EXPENSIVE. The heals I found probably originally cost somewhere around $150-$200.
Wow, talk about a score! I was goth way back in the late 80’s early 90’s and I would have died to have those! Would have gone great with a lot of my weird Victorian fashions. Lol
Load More Replies... Some real treasures. I dont go thrifting, agoraphobic and immuno-compromised, but I love beautiful old things. This was a very enjoyable browse. Thumbs up. 👍
I love thrifting more than life itself. I like quirky vintage antique things but I also like really nice clothes without having to pay for them. Best value finds recently were a currently retailing at $600 Arcteryx coat for $50, a genuine Tory Burch tote for $6 and an Acubra hat in a pile of junk on the side of the road that fits me perfectly.
Right? Like when I found two brand new Ralph Lauren polos for $12.50 or a brand new Columbia coat for $10!! I also got a really nice Kitchen Aid crock pot for $6. And that was half off. The clerk was bummed cause he wanted to buy it and was hoping someone wouldn't see it. SUCKAH!!
Load More Replies... If you EVER get the chance -- go to thrift & 2nd hand stores in LAS VEGAS! Between hotels going out of business and people moving there then tossing stuff it's like shopping in a CIRCUS! Clothing from old shows, every place has ICE SKATES (in the desert?) and huge amount of cold weather stuff they didn't know they would NEVER use -- boots, hats, coats. Better than any souvenir stand!
If this list has taught me anything, it's that I must be on the lookout for a house hippo
This weekend, Our Lady of Fatima big flea market, it's a tradition in my area. They had their last donation day on Saturday before the sale and I got to look at what they have so far and I'm telling you that place is packed!!! This article is getting me excited this event.
One man's trash...I was once strolling down the street when someone threw out 2 Eames Era bubble lamps. They were yellowed (as most vintage ones are) but otherwise in perfect condition. They cleaned up nicely with a magic eraser and some vinegar. Best find to date!
I guessed as much. I think I've seen a picture of a toy store once, where they had those things.
Found this at Goodwill in Gig Harbor, WA 8 years ago. It wasn't $35 cute, but it was definitely worth a photo to send to my brother to tell this this is what he was getting for xmas that year. IMG_4769-6...b17fb7.jpg
I don’t go to thrift stores usually other than to donate but my husband has found stereo equipment he can resell for good money. We’ve also found such neat stuff at auctions.
I love find discarded furniture and giving it a unique new life. Check out rae_reamingined for fun flips :)
