People often turn to thrift stores to cut costs and keep usable goods in circulation. But one shopper in Colorado said that expectation broke down after they found dingy used storage bins priced above comparable new ones.
The image touched off a common complaint among secondhand shoppers: Thrift store pricing has stopped feeling thrifty.
Here's what to know
The original poster in Reddit's r/ThriftGrift forum said a Goodwill of Colorado location was charging $13 apiece for used storage totes.
They wrote, "I thought $13 was an ok deal for the set of 5 (they were in fact $13 EACH)," before adding that new ones cost only $8 at Costco.
That price comparison drove much of the discussion, with commenters arguing that basic secondhand household items should not cost more than buying something new.
One commenter wrote, "I was just going to say they are cheaper at Costco, but you knew that. The thrift grift is real." Another commenter noted that they were just $8.98 at Home Depot. A third user added, "If people continue to shop there and pay their prices, Goodwill will continue to stick it to us."
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More background
For many shoppers, thrifting remains one of the best ways to save on everyday necessities such as clothes, kitchen tools, furniture, and storage containers. It can also be a good way to come across rare, durable, or even valuable items at steep discounts.
That bargain-hunting model comes with environmental benefits as well. Reusing household goods helps keep usable items out of landfills and reduces demand for brand-new products, which often require additional materials, packaging, and shipping.
But secondhand shopping only works when the pricing makes sense. When worn or dirty items cost more than new versions at warehouse clubs or home improvement stores, shoppers may skip reuse altogether and head straight to retail.
Where can I learn more?
Complaints like this keep popping up as thrift shoppers question whether secondhand prices still offer real savings.
• Across thrift stores, items priced too high just sit on shelves and take up space.
• At some stores, price tags left shoppers in awe over ordinary secondhand goods.
• At Goodwill, a massive price tag left shoppers calling the markup absurd.
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