A few days ago I shared with you what I look for at thrift stores. Today I thought I’d do a little switch and give you a list of things you should NEVER buy at thrift stores. Leave a comment and let me know what you would never buy!
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10+ Things You Should NEVER Buy at Thrift Stores
Underwear. Do I even need to go into this? Yuck. Unless I find a new with tags Victoria’s Secret bra in my size I don’t buy underwear when I’m out thrifting. (Yes, that did happen. And yes, I did break this rule that one time.)
Swimsuits. Honestly, this is my personal choice. You’re probably not going to get a disease from wearing someone else’s underwear or swimsuit. I would just rather not be that close to some stranger.
Shoes. Again, yuck… but again, I have broken this rule when I found a pair of Converse in my size that didn’t have much wear. But shoes conform to your feet as you wear them and used shoes fit someone else’s feet… not yours.
Upholstered Furniture. Uh oh… I’ve broken this one, too. But I might not do it again. Even if you don’t smell anything at the thrift store when you get it home it might be a different story! And now with the bedbug scare that gives me another reason not to do it. But I probably would if I was going to tear the upholstery off and redo it.
Mattresses. Bedbugs… ’nuff said. I’ve seen used bedding on lists before but I have bought vintage sheets for sewing projects and to use on our beds. I just wash and dry on the hottest temperatures and bleach when possible.
Stuffed Animals. Bedbugs again…
{{{ Also read 25 Things You Should ALWAYS Buy at a Thrift Store. }}}
Cribs. Safety standards change all the time and you want to make sure your baby is safe! I have some friends who have used the sides of cribs as displays. If you’re using the crib for something other than a baby, go for it.
Car Seats/Baby Carriers. Besides safety standards changing, car seats are meant to withstand ONE crash. There’s no way for you to know if a used car seat has been in an accident or not. Keep your babies safe!
Bike and Motorcycle Helmets. I didn’t realize that helmets were also made for ONE impact, too! No way to know so avoid them.
Makeup. Bacteria live and multiply in makeup once it’s been opened.
That’s 10 but I keep thinking of more things you should never buy at thrift stores …
Medicine. If you see medication in a thrift store it’s probably expired. And possibly opened or tampered with in some way.
Food. Like the medication. Possibly expired or tainted.
Kitchen Appliances. Old blenders, fryers, or kitchen utensils that might have touched meat or still have a greasy residue on them.
Non-stick cookwear. The film breaks down over time and gets into your food.
Plastic water bottles. There are two many areas in the straws or on sports caps that are hard to clean.
Halogen lamps. Fire hazard!
Things that cost more than retail. I’ve actually seen that quite a few times! Know your prices or you might be tricked into spending more for something used than new.
Here are some things that I find handy on thrift store shopping days!
If you enjoyed this thrifting post, you might also like these:
- 25 Things You Should ALWAYS Buy at Thrift Stores
- A Basic Guide to Thrift Store Shopping
- Don’t Buy This Stuff at a Thrift Store
- 24 Thrift Shop Items You Should Never Buy
- 10 Top Thrift Store Tips
Thanks for reading! Leave a comment and let me know if I left out any things you should never buy at thrift stores.
‘Til the next project,
Ann @ Duct Tape and Denim
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photo credit: Toy Massacre via photopin (license), Goodwill Now Has A Nice Selection Of Christmas Sausages via photopin (license), _mg_9115 via photopin (license), At The Goodwill Thrift Store On Broadway Fells Point via photopin (license)
Lori says
Great post!! Informative. Thanks for sharing.
Lida says
Informative!
Thanks for sharing Ann.
Lisa says
Great information Ann!
Jann Newton says
Good tips!
Christy *theharperhouse says
loved this post Ann! just thinking about all the bugs crawling around in those stuffed animals gives me the heebie jeebies!
Emma Craig says
I love thrift store shopping, but you’re absolutely right – some things are just a no-go. I mostly look for clothes and – most especially! – books!
ducttapeanddenim says
You should like my post on Monday… it’s about buying CLOTHES at thrift stores!
Connie says
Thanks for the great tips. Virginia law requires that upholstered furniture must be cleaned and then treated with an anti-bedbug spray before it is put out for sale. I worked in an antique shop for 12 years. I did buy a sofa at Salvation Army over 10 years ago and it was perfect and the best bargain I ever found. We are still using it.
ducttapeanddenim says
That’s nice to know… I’ll have to check into my local laws. I think I mentioned in the post that I have bought upholstered furniture before. It was a couch, too. Then I’ve bought a couple of chairs that I reupholstered.
Barbara Briggs says
Love the tips! Lately my biggest complaint is thrift shops in general are getting too greedy. You are correct, prices are higher than retail in many cases. I shop in a local thrift called Nsme Your Price. Although not everything is name your price, most things are, the prices objects are fairly priced.
Holly says
Great post. One question: I’ve bought newer looking stuffed animals before and always wash them in hot water when I get them home. I don’t know much about bed bugs. Now I’m wondering…….is that enough to kill bed bugs?
ducttapeanddenim says
Holly, Thanks for reading my post! Sorry it took me a while to get back to you. My computer died and I just got a new one today so I’m trying to catch up. I did a little research and from what I’ve found if you can wash them in hot water and dry them on hot that should kill bed bugs.
Mama Squirrel says
Our local MCC store doesn’t carry most of those things anyway, because of health and safety regulations (such as food, cosmetics, baby cribs, helmets). They do sell shoes, furniture, etc.; it’s your choice whether you want to take a chance on them. I’ve bought shoes (cleaned them first) and never had a problem.
Mandy Williams says
I hesitated on a glass coffee pot for my cofeemaker. A friend who is head is Environmental Health said, “You’re going to wash it aren’t you? You eat in restaurants don’t you?” I bought the pot but still pass on some kitchen items 🙂
Kathy says
Wow, I agree with the underwear, but to be honest you are supposed to wash the clothes you buy, so if you’re concerned about germs, wash them again. To me it’s all paranoia. I have always gone to yard sales and second hand stores, that’s how you stretch money. I buy appliances, cookware and stuffed animals at our goodwill. I have saved thousands over the years buying things for my kids for Christmas. Many things still having new tags on them. I am squeamish about certain things, like sharing helmets, but honestly, bedbugs are something I’ve not really concerned myself with.
Naomi Shelton says
Interesting post. Yeah, I don’t really worry about bed bugs. You just wash things well in hot water! I always wash anything I buy at a thrift store, especially if it’s a textile. I don’t really know where all this bed-bug fright started but if you don’t live in rat-infested slum I don’t think there’s much to worry about. Now, lice–that’s a different matter. They don’t carry disease but they can itch you to death!
What about buying electronics at a thrift store? Even if you can plug them in and they seem to work do you think it’s still a gamble?
ducttapeanddenim says
I know what you mean about lice… we had an episode when my girls were in little league and were sharing baseball helmets!
I don’t really buy many electronics. I suppose if they were a good price I’d take a chance. I do have a friend who reworks lamps. Maybe I should get her to do a how to project for us.
Rebecca says
Never buy bra’s and hat’s.
Jean Mazur says
I’ve buy leather shoes and never have had problems. They have to be very good condition. To me, they are broken in enough to tell if I can wear them. Otherwise they go back. Stuffed toys I machine wash. If they survive, then we keep them. Our Salvation Army only puts out electronics and appliances that work, which made things affordable when my daughter got her first apartment.. We also bought her a sofa, again in good condition. A cheap swimsuit spends time in the hot tub so I figured that kills the germs. I’ve, supported my vintage leather jacket obsession, too as well as name brand clothes I can’t afford. :)) I bless those who donate new and tagged things! My daughter benefits from Goodwill/Easter Seals services. As with anything buyer beware. Thanks is for the article!
ducttapeanddenim says
Thanks again for the comments. I’ve broken most of my “things you shouldn’t buy” rules, too! But I’m really careful about them. Thanks!
JP Farrell says
I am with you on much of your “never buy” list, but have to strongly disagree with all kitchen appliances. I get the most entertaining kitchen gadgets from thrift stores at great prices! My recent find slices potatoes into picture-perfect curly fries (has other blades & I haven’t figured out how to cook those perfect little spirals yet, but that’s just part of the fun!). It was $3.99 from a high price of $70. Maybe the egg peeler I picked up at another store was terrible at peeling, but we all had fun trying! Well worth the dollar cost just to see those efforts. That said, I wouldn’t buy anything with a heating element. You can’t test that in the store & it’s likely the reason it ended up there. Thanks for posting your list & reasons why!
ducttapeanddenim says
Thanks for your comment. Sounds like you’ve found some great buys… and fun using them. I’ll be updating this article soon and will make those changes… I’d probably have bought those, too!
Ivory says
Thanks! A few of these I never thought about, although I’ve never bought them at resale stores. I appreciate your tips, just in case I questioned myself. Such as cookware that’s has some buildups on it.
Dorothy says
I love thrift stores, I enjoyed your articles. I always look for planters… recently I picked up a Fiesta gravy boat, unable to use for gravy, but I planted a cactus in it!
Marie says
Just a suggestion: you may want to proofread your articles before you post them. I find typos in most books I have read as well. Just a friendly hint. It makes you look more professional and a little smarter when your spelling and grammar are correct. Otherwise , I really liked the article!
ducttapeanddenim says
lol… thanks for the useful suggestion.
Lou says
I work at a thrift store in the Netherlands and half of this is true for us too. We don’t sell make up, food etc but we definitely aren’t even allowed to sell meds. We do sell socks and underwear, bit only in packaging or with cards on them. And I’m sure my colleague at the electronics department will definitely check for dirty or broken Kitchen Appliances.
I work with toys and I try to check every puzzel and boardgame for completeness and stuffed toys if they’re not broken, dmelly or dirty. The highly smelling parfume stuffies will be recycled!!!
Nice blog!
ducttapeanddenim says
Thanks so much! If I ever make it to the Netherlands I’d love to come visit your store!
Leslie says
I definitely agree with most of these except the kitchen appliances. I’ve bought many over the years and haven’t had any problems. I have a wonderful air popper for popcorn I got close to thirty years ago and it still works, almost faster than microwave popcorn. Many items like this are usually donated because people don’t use them anymore or they wanted an upgrade. I’ve been thrifting for over thirty years and still love it. I very much appreciate vintage and antique items, much more than anything available nowadays. They make your home so unique instead of cookie cutter.
ducttapeanddenim says
Yes, I agree. If you’re careful you can still find some great kitchen appliances. In fact, I’d love to find an air popper. I’ll have to start looking.
Louise Dahlgren says
I purchased a Revlon Ionizer hot brush roller. It has the low, high and cool settings. The brush has a release button. The price was $5. I tried the outlet and it worked. This has lasted for over 7 years. I took a chance and I love it. I cleaned the brush prior to using it. Great purchase.
I am dismayed that one can no longer try on clothes at Goodwill.
Jane says
Honestly not very good advice at all things can be washed
Sandy says
Helmet’s 🪖 If you lift up the padding, there is sticker with an expiration date on it. Never realized they expired. They are not good more then few years.
Dona says
how do you unsubscribe?
ducttapeanddenim says
I’m assuming you mean to our newsletter? I just unsubscribed you, but for anyone else who wants to know, there’s a link at the bottom of every email.
Carol says
I always spray anything I buy from a thrift store with bed bug spray. Just to be on the safe side.
Karen Griffin says
Married to a military & civilian firefighter, the #1 rule is, IF the wiring (external, internal &/or plug) can be expertly replaced without greatly affecting the thrift store price. Better safe than burned(literally). This also goes for any older electrical item (retail or thrift) you have in your home now. 🙏✌️❤️🚒🙏
Danielle Haney says
Beware of roaches in used appliances too: a refrigerator, washers and dryers, etc. They can be hiding in the coils and underneath. Do a complete investigation with flashlight and check every little crevice.
ducttapeanddenim says
Eeeeeek! Yes, great idea!
Catherine Williams says
Interesting, I volunteer for a small, entirely voluntary, independant cat and kitten, rescue and rehome charity in the UK. We only sell swimwear, underwear, socks, cosmetics/toiletries etc if they are new and unused, it is ilegal to sell helmets, car seats etc. Electricals can be sold if they are PAT tested for safety and we also check they are working. Shoes are a top selling item with us because they are expensive to buy new. We have many cuddly toys brought in, if they need it I take them home and throw them in the washing machine and tumble dryer, they come out like new, I don’t understand why parents don’t wash their kids toys routinely. I haven’t heard bedbugs spoken about here since trhe 60’s, I think they have pretty much been eradicated with modern life. We can only take small items of furniture due to lack if space but the larger charity shops sell things like three piece suites etc, thety are much sort after by those who cannot afford new. I have always washed anything I buy from a charity shop, table / carboot sale.