What was the best thing you ever found / bought at a Thrift Store / Garage sale?

Answer 1

Well, about 20 years ago my mom bought up bags and bags of purses with those big, round bakelite handles. I guess the person was a collector or a fashionista in the 50s and 60s. The purses were mostly crocheted, but some of them were just the handles with a few threads attached. There were also a few clutches with pretty gems (like rhinestones) and those really ornate metal clasps. I think she paid about a hundred dollars for close to 250 different purses in various conditions.

Fast forward to today:

To date, by crocheting pretty purses around those old bakelite handles, my mom has made thousands of dollars and still has about 80 pairs of handles left. She sells the purses anywhere from 300-700 dollars online. She's even donated a couple bags to charity auctions where they have fetched even more. She's very busy, she's on disability and goes to university AND sits on seven different committees, but sometimes when money's a wee bit tight she brings out a finished purse or whips up a new one and bang, 500 bucks in the bank, LOL!

I recently went to a thrift store (actually, I go all the time) and I found ONE PAIR of bakelite handles for 95 bucks.

But I also found a vintage sheepskin coat, circa 1960s and it was gorgeous! They wanted 75 bucks, so I offered 75 bucks but I wanted to pick out as many paperbacks as I could (under 30 of them) from the book racks - they are normally 25 cents each. They said okay, so I bought the coat and I snagged about 15 novels to get me through the summer. I even found an old Dean Koontz that I haven't seen in print in ages.

Great question!

Answer 2

I live in mid-Wisconsin. We have a local thrift store that once a year will give you a brown paper bag when you come in (per person, so I bring my son) and it's $1 for everything that you can put in the bag. Last year I got a nice pillow for my couch, bowls, some kitchen utensils, books, t-shirts, shorts and pants and toys for my son, circular ice cube trays, picture frames, Christmas white lights, 2 candles, 2 purses and a pair of shoes. All for $2. They'll be doing this again in July or August. It's only for one day. The store is packed with people of all ages and I saw people there that I never thought would shop at a thrift store.

I love thrfit store findings!

Answer 3

When I was getting married for the 2nd time, my younger daughter and my stepdaughter were going to be flower girls. Our colors were cream and navy. I found my daughter this really cute navy blue dress and about 3 weeks later I found the SAME EXACT dress at a thrift store for my stepdaughter to wear! She didn't care that we bought it there, she just wanted to match her new older stepsister!

Answer 4

A NIB child's pack-n-play crib by Graco for $3.00 at a garage sale. Sold it on eBay 7 days later for almost a hundred bucks. Went back, but they had no more.

Answer 5

Garage sale-tea cup and saucer set that I paid $7 for and because it's from Occupied Japan was worth $300! Yay for me!

Answer 6

A wooden spice rack that was made in the 70's. It's so cool too.. has such nice carved detail and little doors/drawers on it. Walking into a thriftstore is like traveling back in time.. I love it!

Answer 7

a dresser i bought for 1.00
it had 100's of layers of paint and kids stickers on it
i took it home cleaned it up and found out it was a piece from the 1700's in mint condition
in the back behind the drawers it is signed and dated

Answer 8

I have found many things over the years, but one of my all-time favorites is a 50s pink aluminum Christmas tree, table-top size, complete with pink balls, pink grape clusters, and pink foil angels. I bought it over 10 years ago and display it every Christmas!! It's fabulous!!!

Answer 9

A hard cover orginal print copy of Stephen Kings Shining with a limited edition sleeve.
Big King collector...paid 5 bucks and is one of my most prized possessions.

Answer 10

I got a Disney animation cel for $10 that was later appraised for $5000