Part of the fun of thrift shopping is never knowing what you’ll find. You might walk in looking for a pair of jeans and leave with a designer handbag, a vintage jacket, or something worth far more than what you paid.
But what happens when some of those better finds never make it to the sales floor?
That’s what has frustrated thrift shoppers after a Reddit user reported seeing a Salvation Army TikTok livestream where donated clothing was auctioned online rather than sold in stores.
The discovery sparked a larger discussion about online resale, rising thrift store prices, and whether finding a good bargain is becoming harder than it used to be.
A TikTok auction caught one shopper’s attention
In a post shared on Reddit, a shopper described coming across what appeared to be a Salvation Army livestream auction while scrolling through TikTok.
According to the shopper, the auction featured higher-end clothing brands and items with their original tags still attached. Several pieces reportedly sold for more than $20.
The shopper asked why these items were being auctioned online instead of offered to customers shopping in Salvation Army stores.
Shoppers say the best finds are getting harder to come by
For longtime thrifters, finding something valuable or unusual for just a few dollars is part of what makes secondhand shopping so appealing.
But several Reddit commenters said those opportunities are getting harder to find as thrift stores sell more desirable donations online.
Some pointed to Goodwill’s online selling platforms, while others mentioned thrift organizations using livestream auctions and resale websites.
One commenter questioned why shoppers would continue visiting physical thrift stores if the better merchandise was being sold elsewhere.
Much of the frustration comes from the feeling that thrift stores are becoming more expensive while the chances of finding something worthwhile are shrinking.
Why thrift stores are selling their best donations online
For charitable thrift stores like the Salvation Army, selling donated merchandise is also a way to raise money for their programs. Auctioning valuable items online can bring in more money than selling them at typical thrift store prices.
Online auctions also let these organizations reach more buyers, including people willing to pay higher prices for certain brands or collectibles.
Some Reddit commenters defended the practice, arguing that charities should get as much money as possible from donations to support their services.
Others felt differently. They questioned whether thrift stores should prioritize getting the highest price when many people rely on them for affordable clothing and household essentials.
Ultimately, the debate comes down to what shoppers expect from thrift stores. While these organizations need to raise money to support their programs, customers also want access to affordable secondhand goods.
For those who enjoy searching the racks for a great find, the concern is simple: If more desirable donations are sold online, stores may have fewer bargains left to discover.
