Do you love combing through thrift stores for deals and steals? Many people do, and might even consider it a hobby or addiction! But did you know your thrifting hobby could actually be profitable? Many thrift stores have gold mines on the shelf just waiting to be found. The trick is, knowing what you are looking for. Take a peek below at 12 Thrift Store Items Worth Cash that you should be keeping your eyes peeled for.
12 Thrift Store Items Worth Cash
1. Silver items.
Whenever thrifting, always comb through the baskets and bins of silverware as well as the jewelry cases. Often times, sterling silver items get tossed into these bins and cases without anyone paying much attention. Several times I have found sterling silver flatware in the .25 cents silverware bin. Sterling silver is always marked with a number. Should you find it, you can take it to any jewelry store and have it weighed and appraised. A single piece of flatware could fetch as much as $35-$40!
2. Name brand children’s clothing.
On half off or discount days especially, peek through the children’s clothing for name brand, gently used items. If you can find items from quality retailers such as Gap, Baby Gap, Land’s End, or Children’s Place, those items are worth cash at your local children’s consignment store. If you can find pieces for under $2 a piece, you can easily get $5 and up at your local shop.
3. Old records.
Many collectors are on the hunt for vintage and collectible records. Records should be in great shape, free from scratching, marking, and in the original jacket or sleeve. Your big names such as Elvis, The Beatles, and other famous bands and artists can fetch upwards of $25 or more. Ebay is an excellent place to take your vinyl finds.
4. High end shoes.
High end women’s shoes especially have an excellent resale value, and throw back tennis shoes from the 80’s and 90’s are gaining speed with collectors. Look for any of the big named brands, high end makers. The shoes should be gently worn without any wear or tear. Ebay is an excellent place to take and sell your finds.
5. Designer hand bags.
You would be amazed at the number of designer handbags that hit thrift store shelves. If they are gently used and still in good condition, they do hold a resale value. Coach, Vera Bradley, and other bags can be picked up at a great price and sold on Ebay to anxious collectors.
6. Pottery.
There is a huge market for collectible pottery. This includes dishes, flower pots, bowls, and more. Look underneath at the pottery pieces for the maker marks of studios such as McCoy, Weller, Marble Head, and Roseville. These pieces can be worth anywhere from $20 to over $500, with Ebay being an excellent market to sell them in.
7. Collectible books.
Thrift stores typically carry an abundance of books and at excellent prices. Look for old and antique books, first editions, signed copies, collectible coffee table books, old yearbooks, and even current college textbooks. All of these can be flipped for cash on Amazon, Ebay, and Etsy.
8. Depression era glassware.
Depression era glassware is typically known for its light yet beautiful colors, elegant style, and variety of patterns. Look up examples of depression glass online and on Ebay so you can get an idea of what the pieces look like and what they may sell for. The right pattern can bring you hundreds of dollars per piece.
9. Vintage furniture.
Scour your local thrift store for old furniture pieces that collectors are dying to get their hands on. This would include solid wood pieces, old formica tables and chairs, china cabinets, ornate headboards, and old wicker porch pieces. If you can get a good deal on these, you can typically sell them for profit to collectors on Craigslist or via a private sale.
10. Designer sunglasses.
Always dig through the sunglass bins to look for any designer sunglasses. You may just get lucky and find a pair. In nice shape, these hold a nice resale value at consignment shops as well as on Ebay. Condition is key, so be sure they are damage and scratch free.
11. Old dolls.
While some are quite scary to look at, there is nothing scary about what some of these dolls can be worth. Old and antique dolls, composition and plaster dolls, and even Cabbage Patch kids from the 1980’s are still fetching a fair price. Look for items in good and clean condition, and see if you can’t flip them on Ebay or Etsy.
12. Gently used baby items, name brand.
Consignment stores pay good cash for Bumbo seats, play mats, slings, and other gently used, name brand items. If you see these items at a great price (a few bucks or less) snag them. Chances are you can flip them at a consignment store or on Craigslist/Ebay.
The next time you head to your local thrift store, keep your eyes peeled for these 12 items sure to net you some cash. After all, how else are you going to pay for your thrifting addiction?
More Thrift Store Shopping Tips
10 Things You Should Not Buy at Thrift Stores
Thrift Store Tricks: How to Shop for Second Hand Clothes
Eco-Friendly Ways to Upcycle Thrift Store Finds
How to Turn Thrift Store Finds Into Christmas Gifts: Thrift Store Christmas Gift Ideas
