There was a time when going to Goodwill actually felt like a genuine way to save money. People could walk in with twenty dollars and leave with bags of clothes, books, kitchenware, or furniture. Thrifting used to feel affordable, practical, and honestly a little exciting because you never knew what hidden gem you’d find for a few bucks.

But lately, a growing number of shoppers say that experience has completely changed. On Reddit, longtime thrifters have been venting about prices that now feel closer to those at department stores than at secondhand shops. For many people, the frustration isn’t just about the money. It’s that thrift stores no longer feel like they’re serving the purpose they once did.

One shopper summed it up bluntly: “It doesn’t even feel like thrifting anymore.”

People Keep Finding Used Items Priced Higher Than Retail

One of the biggest complaints shoppers keep bringing up is finding secondhand items priced higher than brand-new versions elsewhere.

One Reddit user wrote, “I’m talking $20 Target clothes, $30 sweaters, $70 jackets, items for $100+, I found a t-shirt for my son NWT $10 & retail was $8….”

Another frustrated shopper shared, “It’s just the fact that they even have the audacity to sell something for $8 that was priced at $3 clearance in the original store is crazy.”

Fast fashion pricing seems to especially frustrate people. One shopper complained, “They’re literally charging more for secondhand Shein than it is new.”

For many thrifters, that’s where the entire experience starts to fall apart. If used clothing costs the same as retail, shoppers begin wondering why they wouldn’t just buy new items instead.

Many People Say Thrifting No Longer Feels Affordable

A lot of longtime shoppers say the biggest change is that thrift stores no longer feel accessible for lower-income families the way they once did.

One Reddit user reflected on how different prices used to be: “I remember going to Goodwill and getting shirts and pants for 50 cents-99 cents for back to school because my family was poor. Now I see $10, $15, and even $30 for some items!!!”

Another shopper shared frustration after spotting “$24.97 for some Banana Republic chino pants and $14.97 for a plain Prana-brand black short-sleeve T-shirt that was pilling.”

For people who relied on thrift stores to stretch tight budgets, those prices feel completely disconnected from what thrifting used to represent.

Shoppers Say the “Treasure Hunt” Feeling Is Gone

Part of what made thrifting fun was the feeling that you might discover something incredible for almost nothing. That sense of surprise is part of why so many people loved it in the first place.

But now, many shoppers say prices feel overpriced and inflated, almost as if stores are trying to operate as boutique resellers rather than donation-based thrift shops.

One shopper wrote that prices at their local Goodwill “have skyrocketed so high that it’s like shopping at a regular department store now.”

Others say they rarely find exciting deals anymore because valuable items are often pulled aside for online auctions before they ever hit the sales floor.

Many Shoppers Blame Resale Culture

Many people believe that online reselling has permanently changed thrift stores. Apps like Depop, Poshmark, eBay, and TikTok flipping culture made more people aware that vintage clothing, collectibles, and brand-name items could be resold for profit. As a result, shoppers say thrift stores now seem far more aggressive with pricing.

Some people blame resellers directly. Others think the stores themselves saw an opportunity to charge more once they realized what certain items could sell for online.

Either way, many shoppers feel the casual, affordable side of thrifting has slowly disappeared.

Some People Are Shopping Elsewhere Instead

As frustration grows, many longtime thrifters say they’ve started skipping large chains altogether in favor of local thrift stores, church-run shops, and smaller nonprofit stores.

People often describe smaller thrift stores as feeling more community-focused and far more affordable. Several Reddit users mentioned that independent shops still offer the kinds of prices people remember from years ago.

For shoppers who miss the old thrifting experience, smaller local stores are increasingly becoming the better option.

Others Point Out That Costs Have Gone Up Everywhere

Not everyone thinks thrift stores are entirely at fault. Some shoppers acknowledge that rent, utilities, labor costs, and sorting donations are all far more expensive now than they were. Stores are also processing huge amounts of low-quality fast fashion that may not even sell.

Still, many people feel there has to be a middle ground. When donated goods start approaching retail prices, shoppers naturally begin questioning whether the value is still there.

And for many longtime thrifters, that’s really the core issue. People understand prices have gone up everywhere. They just never expected secondhand shopping to stop feeling like a bargain, too.