What thrift store items to avoid?

Avoid purchasing used mattresses, upholstered furniture, car seats, helmets, and used cosmetics from thrift stores, as these pose risks regarding bed bugs, mold, structural damage, or severe safety/hygiene issues. Additionally, avoid old non-stick cookware, used medical equipment, and outdated electronics that may be non-functional, hazardous, or unclean.

What not to buy in thrifting?

We've rounded up a list of things to never buy at the thrift store, according to interior designers. Most of their tips for things to avoid relate to safety — think antique lamps that might have faulty wiring or car seats that aren't up to current safety regulations.

What to be careful of when thrifting?

Never buy any item that is on the ground, fallen on the ground or article of clothing that when on the rack is touching the ground, like pants, coats or belts etc. The ground is gross. Like so beyond gross.

What items should you not buy second hand?

• Baby cribs and car seats.
• Helmets.
• Makeup.
• Mattresses.
• Smartphones.
• Knives and blenders.
• Toy chests without a safety hinge.
• Anything that might have lead paint.

What items sell best in a thrift store?

Now, let's take a look at some of the best thrift store items for reselling.

• Clothing (Especially Name Brands and Vintage) ...
• Shoes (Sneakers, Boots and Speciality Footwear) ...
• Books (Especially Textbooks and Vintage Editions. ...
• Home Decor and Small Furniture. ...
• Kitchenware and Cookware.

HOW TO THRIFT (from a professional thrifter!) ✨ I'm spilling the beans, y'all 🤠

What is the 3-3-3 rule for clothing?

The "333 rule" in clothing refers to two popular minimalist fashion concepts: the viral TikTok trend of using 3 tops, 3 bottoms, and 3 shoes to create numerous outfits (9 items total) for styling practice, and the more extensive Project 333, where you select 33 items (including clothes, shoes, and accessories) to wear for three months, excluding essentials like underwear, workout gear, and sleepwear, to simplify your wardrobe and reduce decision fatigue. Both methods focus on versatility, quality over quantity, and creating a functional capsule wardrobe.

What is the most sold second hand item?

Variety: Clothing, jewelry, home decor, and video games remain the top categories for reselling in 2026. Acquisition: Sourcing items from yard sales, thrift stores, and online marketplaces can yield significant profits.

What are 20 things that are not worth it?

20 Things That Are Not Worth It

• Staying at a job for “at least 1 year” because you are afraid it'll look bad on your resume to employers if you left sooner. ...
• Putting your parents approval above your own happiness when making decisions about your life. ...
• Paying ATM fees.

What is the 30 wear rule?

The "30 wears rule" is a sustainable fashion guideline where you ask yourself, "Will I wear this item at least 30 times?" before buying it, promoting conscious consumption by prioritizing quality, timeless pieces over disposable fast fashion to reduce textile waste and environmental impact. Popularized by Livia Firth, it encourages viewing clothes as investments, reducing impulse buys, and shifting towards a slower, more intentional wardrobe by focusing on longevity and cost-per-wear.

How to spot real jewelry at thrift stores?

Red Flags (or Green Flags?) to Look For

Here are a few signs that your $5 flea market find might be a priceless heirloom: Weight: Real gold and platinum are heavy. If a piece feels surprisingly substantial, it might be the real deal. Hallmarks: Look for tiny stamps like "14K," "PT," or "925" (for sterling silver).

Should I wash my clothes after thrifting?

More often than not, thrift store finds usually just need a good wash to get rid of any musty odors.

What is a no-buy list?

The latest personal finance trend making the rounds is creating a “No-Buy 2025” list, detailing all the items an individual will avoid purchasing or spend less on, next year. This trend is an effort to create boundaries with spending and money habits.

What is the most sold item at a flea market?

Before you and the family head out to your local flea market, take a look at all of the items available.

1. Jewelry. Jewelry at a flea market is one of the top best-selling items because of the variety. ...
2. Antiques. ...
3. Electronics and Appliances. ...
4. Clothing for the Entire Family. ...
5. Specialist Vendors and Service Providers.

What clothes should I not donate?

Clothes that should not be donated to a second hand store include ripped, stained, damaged or dirty items.

• Children's sleepwear.
• Kids' clothing with drawstrings.

What are the disadvantages of second-hand clothes?

The disadvantages of shopping preloved: are there any?

• The advantages of buying secondhand clothes are well documented by me in my blogs but what about the disadvantages. ...
• Quality control isn't as high.
• Sizing issues.
• There's less choice.
• Less likely to find the latest trends.
• Lack of durability.

Should we not gift black clothes?

Vastu Shastra advises against gifting items like black clothes, watches, and sharp objects, as they are believed to bring negativity and misfortune. Wallets and leather items are also discouraged due to their association with financial energy transfer and violence, respectively.

What items should you not buy used?

8 Home Items You Should Never Buy Secondhand

• Mattresses & Bedding.
• Baby Cribs.
• Helmets & Hats.
• Appliances.
• Nonstick Cookware.
• Damaged Furniture.
• Upholstered Furniture.
• Lamps.

What is Gen Z spending money on?

Meanwhile, online shopping as well as food delivery have made it easier to indulge in treats. Indeed, Gen Z uses grocery subscriptions 133% more often than Gen X, according to a 2024 PYMNTS survey of more than 67,000 consumers across 11 countries accounting for nearly half the world's GDP.

What are the hottest items to resell?

Electronics remain the most popular resale items, especially smartphones, laptops, and gaming consoles. Their consistent demand, high value, and upgrade cycles make them profitable. Branded sneakers, luxury fashion, and collectibles also rank highly as top choices in the resale market.

What old items are worth money?

Everything from vintage cookware to old-school gaming consoles can be worth more than you might imagine.

• 10 old things in your home worth a fortune. ...
• Kitchenware. ...
• Vintage toys. ...
• VHS tapes. ...
• Old-school video games. ...
• Vinyl records. ...
• Boy Scout memorabilia. ...
• Vintage newspapers and magazines.

What are some common reselling mistakes?

10 Common Reselling Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)

• Failing to Research Market Demand.
• Ignoring the Importance of Quality Product Photos.
• Pricing Mistakes and Underestimating Fees.
• Neglecting Proper Sourcing Strategies.
• Overlooking Shipping Costs and Logistics.
• Poor Inventory Management.