Thrift stores are supposed to be where you go to avoid paying full retail price. But as anyone who thrifts regularly knows, that doesn’t mean everything sitting on the shelf is actually a bargain.
A Goodwill shopper recently came across a picture frame they liked and checked the price tag. The plain white Mainstays frame was marked $14.99, which seemed a little steep for something used, so they pulled out the Walmart app and scanned the barcode.
The exact same frame was selling at their local Walmart for $9.97 brand new. That meant Goodwill was asking about $5 more for a used frame that the shopper described as already having some scuffs from being piled with other frames.
The shopper checked before buying
Instead of assuming $14.99 was a reasonable price, the shopper used Walmart’s barcode scanner to look up the exact item. That quick search showed that buying the frame new would actually cost about a third less.
For mass-produced items that still have a barcode, brand name, model number, or other identifying information, doing the same thing can make it much easier to tell whether you’re actually getting a deal.
Other thrift shoppers are noticing high prices too
The picture frame wasn’t the only questionable price mentioned in the discussion. Another shopper described finding a basic used metal candle holder for $10 that was already showing plenty of wear, even though they had only considered buying it as a cheap project to fix up for the holidays.
Others simply said they’ve noticed thrift store prices getting higher in general. Of course, prices can vary considerably from one store and location to another, but it makes comparison shopping even more important.
A thrift store find still has to be a good deal
Thrifting can save a lot of money, but the savings aren’t guaranteed simply because you’re buying used. The $14.99 Goodwill frame is a perfect example: without checking, it would have been easy to walk away thinking $15 was simply what the item was worth.
The better habit is to treat thrift store prices the same way you would prices anywhere else. If something seems high, check before you buy; you might be surprised by what that same item costs new.
