Don't Overlook These 11 Small Thrift Store Finds — They're More Valuable Than You Think

There is something a bit mysterious and oddly satisfying about shopping at a thrift store. The soft chaos of shelves packed with forgotten items hints at the excitement of finding something good for cheap. The heady sensation of wandering through a thrift store is, arguably, unmatched. Furniture, cookware, home décor items, books, toys ... Thrift stores have got it all. But here is what most shoppers don't realize: thrift stores aren't only a place for discount items. Every so often, genuinely valuable things show up — think first-edition books, vintage vinyl records, retro electronics (like early iPods), and all kinds of other items that a collector or hobbyist might be willing to pay thousands for.

The trick, though, is to know how to spot valuable, high-end items at thrift stores. Plus, it takes quite a few visits and a lot of patience. You are unlikely to get lucky on your first shop, but keep going, and one day you just might. Even if you don't, thrift shopping can still make you feel good — especially if you visit the stores run by charities and nonprofit organizations. Such organizations put the profit generated from sales toward all kinds of community support programs. Even if you don't find something to change your own life, your contribution may end up changing someone else's.

Even though we live in the world of PDFs, eBooks, and audiobooks, there are still a lot of people out there who like to read old-fashioned paper books. For many people, a first-edition book is worth more than its weight in gold. And guess where is a good place to find such books? Why, thrift stores, of course. Many first-edition books have been found in thrift stores over the years and then later sold for thousands of dollars. Even if you're not lucky enough to chance upon a first-edition, a book-club edition is still a valuable find.

Back in 2023, Dillon Smith, founder of Noble Records, found an old vinyl record worth about $1,000 for only 49 cents. How did it happen? According to him, he visits local thrift stores about three times a week. So start visiting today — though focusing on the days when thrift stores restock can be especially lucrative. Vintage records can have cracks, wraps, or scratches, so assess the condition of any record you plan to buy. If what you find turns out not to be valuable, you can DIY a vintage-style clock with the help of an old vinyl record.

There are some people who love collecting retro electronics. To them, a first-gen iPod could be worth thousands of dollars. There are even reports of mint-condition first-gen iPads being sold for $29,000. And even if you can't find something like this, visiting thrift stores for electronics is still worth it. They are often one of the priciest items in our homes, so if you can find them at a good price, it can save you quite a lot of money. Just make sure to check that the gadget works at the store before bringing it home.

People, especially those on a budget, often visit thrift stores to decorate their indoor spaces affordably. If you are one of them, make sure to keep your eyes peeled for signed art. A signature doesn't automatically mean the work is valuable, but it's worth checking into. You can easily google the artist and see if their work has resale value or is collectible. Even if that isn't the case, take it home and hang it on your living room wall. Then you can brag to relatives and guests about having a signed piece of art.

People often donate their old jewelry or that of their relatives to thrift stores. From rings to earrings and necklaces to bracelets, thrift stores have got it all. Buyers often grab what catches their eye, only to later realize there is more to it than meets the eye. Put simply, jewelry is a classic thrift-store wildcard. Take your time examining a piece of thrifted jewelry before you bring it home. Carefully check the condition and construction, and look for a maker's mark or stamp. Feel its weight. Precious metals like gold and silver often feel heavier than they look.

If there's anything that thrift stores never seem to run out of, it is glassware. Often, you can pick up entire vintage glassware sets for very reasonable prices. Some of those pieces might have enormous collector value. For instance, in 2023, Jessica Vincent bought a glass vase for just $3.99 at a Goodwill store in Virginia, per CBS News. And guess what? That same vase was later sold at an auction for a whopping $107,100. Next time you spot a piece of glassware with etched markings while thrifting, look it up online to see if it has value.

Apothecary cabinets are true secondhand gems. They combine practicality and utility with a level of wood craftsmanship most collectors would die for. Large apothecary cabinets sell for thousands of dollars on auction sites these days. Next time you are out thrifting, don't take these old-fashioned cabinets for granted. Even if you can't sell them for a handsome amount, these vintage cabinets are perfect junk drawer alternatives — use one to tidy up your home. Avoid pieces with poor wood quality, loose joints, wormholes, or any other structural damage.

Vintage toys are another item you should never miss at a thrift store. Your kids might not be very enthusiastic about them, but some old toys can be extremely valuable. For instance, a 3¾-inch-tall action figure of a Star Wars character, Boba Fett, sold for $525,00 in 2024, per Heritage Auctions. And guess what? It was released in 1979. Just keep in mind that collectors value three things when it comes to vintage toys: condition, completeness, and packaging. Some old toys contain hazardous materials, like lead, and can end up at thrift stores. Beware of recalled items, too.

Historical documents can also show up in secondhand places, including thrift stores. For instance, a Nashville thrift store shopper got their hands on a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence for only $2.48, per KSL.com. That same copy was later purchased by a law firm for $477,650. Next time you are out thrifting, don't ignore that pile of old papers or box of vintage documents. If you have the time, rummage through it, and maybe you will hit a jackpot, too.

If you know anything about luxury and designer handbags, you must know that they sell for hundreds of dollars, even when pre-owned. If you know what you are looking for, you may get lucky and find a branded fashion statement of your very own for just a few bucks at a thrift store. Steer clear of replicas or counterfeits by learning about the nuances of each design online. For instance, Louis Vuitton uses a date code to prove where and when a bag was made.

Not many people use fountain pens these days. However, they are still more expensive than other types of pens. Ironic, isn't it? Plus, in many cases, the older the pen is, the more valuable it might be. You can sometimes find used fountain pens at thrift stores. Believe it or not, a woman bought a Montblanc fountain pen at a Washington, D.C. Goodwill in late 2025 that could be worth more than $700, per Newsweek. So next time you are thrifting, be sure to pay a visit to the stationery section.