20 Thrift stores with bizarre items for sale: 'Selling sunflower oil that expired in 1998'

Thrift shops: What don't they have?

Thrift shopping has always been a cheap way to get yourself some common household items, but it's also become quite trendy in recent years. I think it's partially because the quality of new clothing is just abysmal, but it's become a big part of the shopping routine to pop into thrift stores and shop around. Some of my favorite sweaters have been thrifted, and I don't worry about the seams coming loose after 3 wears. Instead, they'll last until long after I'm gone, for several hundred more years, probably.

It's not just clothing — a lot of common household items were just better quality 20 years ago than they are now. That means that if you can find a good toaster or cast iron pan or bookshelf at the local Goodwill or Value Village, you can feel good about that investment. You're recycling, saving money, and possibly even buying a superior product to the 2026 version.

Microtrends have also made this a better way to find clothing, because sometimes the big name brand stores will really lean into whatever is currently trendy, even if that look will expire like milk. I've noticed that there's a trend of putting little bows on every clothing item, which is very cutesy and all, but that's not even what I want to have on my jeans or shirts. To the thrift store! All the attire with bows on it will be there soon enough!

These people discovered some very ridiculous things for sale at their local thrift shops, though. Some folks will donate literal trash, like glass jars or plastic tubs. I'm not sure why they pass through the inspection process, but they do, and they wind up getting labelled and put on the shelves for sale. No one wants to pay for those glass yogurt jars, cute as they are, because if you really wanted those, you could just go buy them in store for probably less money and enjoy the delicious yogurt inside. There's literally a person who has to hand-label these items, so… there must be some method to the madness. Check out that, as well as 19 other thrift store surprises down below!

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via Getty Images For Unsplash+

_{The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.}
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02
There were apparently more than 25 of these for sale!

via u/Funny_Money_

The color is… a choice! I can only imagine the absolute glut of Stanley cups we'll start to see in thrift stores in maybe 40 or 50 years when certain generations start to pass away and leave behind their huge collections of these things.
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This is the perfect beach wear!

via u/mcharpymeal
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The forbidden apple juice...

via u/arisaenthusist

Someone could buy this, empty out the grime, and see what's actually inside!
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05

via u/APenguinInATuxedo
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These water bottles are so chic, but like... you can just buy them at the store with the water included

via u/PhilotheGoblin
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07
3 whole dollars for one hair band? You can get like a 50 pack for that much

via u/_tOomanYfandOms_
08
Who'd like to pay $5 for the worst tummy ache of their lives?

via u/hurricanesurvivor

Even though these are apparently decorative, this one is a bit cloudy, and that rosemary stem has seen better days (in 1998!).
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via u/nathanemke
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Be so serious right now

via u/MuramasasYari
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Are these discontinued? Because if they are, I suppose the price is warranted

via u/_NotARealMustache_
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12
I love these glasses, but...

via u/acebucked

I agree with the poster — why not just buy the yogurt-filled ones and get the benefit of a yummy snack?
13

via u/blennit-medescue
14
I wonder what the popular girl's snowshoe was last year?

via u/Jaquavion_tavious1

Are the kids all just wearing the same shoes? This is crazy.
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15
Louisn't Vuitton't

via u/sirisaacnewtron4

"Yeah it's a real LSIUO IOUTNVT, don't be jealous."
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This would be a useful household item TBH

via u/Darkwavegenre
17

via u/LadyLandfair
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18
The Burberby HAHAHAHAHAHA

via u/FlyByHikes
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via u/AllMyJewels
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So curious to know if it was opened before or after being labeled

via u/_five_by_five_
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21
Why would you touch those?

via u/Sufficient_Theory975

They are certainly well-loved! These could've gone another 20 years in the role of "pair of shoes you throw on to take out the trash late at night."