Thrift stores used to be the place where you could walk in with $20 and leave with a bag full of clothes, home decor, and maybe something you didn’t even know you needed. Finding a good deal was part of the fun, and even if you had to dig through a few racks, the savings usually made it worthwhile.
But lately, some shoppers are questioning whether thrifting is still worth the effort. Prices are climbing, quality finds are harder to come by, and some secondhand items sell for nearly as much as new.
In a recent Reddit discussion, a shopper asked whether thrifting was dying after noticing higher prices, fewer quality donations, and merchandise sitting on the shelves for weeks. The question prompted plenty of responses from people who have noticed similar changes.
Some Thrift Store Prices Are Getting Hard to Justify
One of the biggest complaints is how much thrift stores are charging for used merchandise. Shoppers said they found clothing, home decor, and other secondhand items priced much higher than expected. One commenter said they saw button-down shirts priced between $11 and $16 at Savers, even though many were simple secondhand pieces.
Another shopper said they’ve found items at their local thrift store priced the same as, or even higher than, comparable products at Walmart.
That’s where thrifting starts to lose some of its appeal. When a used shirt costs almost as much as a new one, shoppers have to decide whether the time spent searching through racks is really worth it.
Cheap Fast Fashion Is Taking Over the Racks
Higher prices aren’t the only thing frustrating shoppers. Several people said they’re finding more inexpensive, mass-produced clothing and fewer well-made pieces.
Fast-fashion brands are showing up alongside older clothing, but the prices don’t always reflect the difference in quality.
One shopper complained about the amount of SHEIN clothing at their local thrift store. Others mentioned seeing more low-quality household products and inexpensive decor that wasn’t necessarily worth buying secondhand.
It makes sense that these products would eventually end up in thrift stores. The clothes and household items people buy today become tomorrow’s donations.
And when so much new merchandise is made to be inexpensive and disposable, finding older, better-quality pieces can take more patience.
People Are Selling Their Good Stuff Instead of Donating It
With Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, eBay, Vinted, and other resale platforms, it’s easier than ever to sell unwanted belongings directly to someone else.
Several Reddit commenters said they’ve started doing exactly that. Instead of donating valuable clothing, jewelry, or home goods, they’re listing those items online and making a little money back.
That could help explain why some shoppers are seeing fewer quality finds. If someone can sell a designer jacket or vintage piece of furniture themselves, they may be less willing to give it away.
Resellers Are Shopping More Frequently
Thrift stores have also become popular places for people looking to buy items they can resell for a profit. Reselling secondhand merchandise isn’t new, but online marketplaces and social media have made it easier for more people to participate.
For someone who visits a thrift store occasionally, competing with shoppers who stop in several times a week can make the selection feel picked over.
Of course, resellers aren’t the only people finding good merchandise. Plenty of regular shoppers visit frequently because thrifting is a hobby they enjoy.
Still, when desirable items sell quickly, someone who shops once a month may have a very different experience than someone who checks the racks every afternoon.
Related: 15 Things Resellers Always Look for at Garage Sales
Thrifting Isn’t Dead, but It’s Definitely Changing
Despite all the complaints, many people in the discussion still enjoy thrifting and keep finding worthwhile purchases. The bargains haven’t disappeared completely. They’re just not always as easy to find, and some stores are better than others.
For shoppers who love the hunt, that may simply mean being more selective, comparing prices, and exploring different places to shop secondhand.
And there’s nothing wrong with leaving a thrift store empty-handed when the prices don’t make sense.
After all, the whole point of thrifting is to find something worth buying at a price you’re happy to pay. If the deal isn’t there, you don’t have to buy it just because it’s secondhand.
