Thrift stores are a popular place to find bargains, but a secondhand price tag doesn’t always mean you’re saving money. One Goodwill shopper found that out after spotting a used picture frame priced higher than the exact same item at Walmart.
The shopper liked the plain white Mainstays frame but hesitated at the $14.99 price tag. They opened the Walmart app, scanned the barcode, and found the frame available brand new for $9.97.
That meant the used frame cost about $5 more than a new one, and the shopper said it already had some scuffs from being stacked with other frames.
The Shopper Checked Before Buying
Rather than guessing whether the price was fair, the shopper used Walmart’s barcode scanner to look up the exact product. A quick search showed that buying it new would cost roughly one-third less than paying Goodwill’s asking price.
This trick works for mass-produced items that still have a barcode, brand name, or model number. A quick price check can help you decide whether a secondhand item is worth buying or whether you’d be better off getting it new.
Related: Does Goodwill Actually Wash Donated Dishes Before Selling Them?
Other Thrift Shoppers Are Noticing High Prices Too
The picture frame wasn’t the only item that raised eyebrows in the discussion. Another shopper mentioned finding a basic used metal candle holder for $10, despite its visible wear, and had only considered buying it as an inexpensive project to fix up for the holidays.
Other shoppers shared similar concerns, saying they’d noticed thrift store prices climbing. Prices can vary by location, but these experiences show why checking a few prices before buying can pay off.
Related: A Thrifting Expert Says Never Visit the Goodwill Bins Without This
A Thrift Store Find Still Has to Be a Good Deal
Shopping secondhand can save money, but a used item isn’t automatically cheaper than a new one. In this case, the $14.99 frame could easily have seemed like a reasonable purchase if the shopper hadn’t checked Walmart’s price first.
Before buying something at a thrift store, take a moment to compare prices if the item is easy to identify. You might find a better deal elsewhere, and a few seconds of checking can help you avoid paying more for something already used.
Related: 10 Goodwill Items That Are Worth Snatching Up When You Spot Them
