10 Valuable Items to Look for in Thrift Stores and Flea Markets

Like many people, I was once really into the idea of becoming a reseller. Who wouldn’t want to make thousands off an item they purchased for just $10?

The best places to look for incredibly valuable items are thrift stores, flea markets, yard sales, and auctions. I’ve gotten very lucky with buying vintage clothes and reselling them for a lot higher. (Some items I’ve kept because they were just way too cute not to.)

With my three years of experience researching and thrifting vintage items, I’ve come up with ten things to look for in thrift shops and flea markets. You never know what you’ll find. Do you like thrifting? What’s the most valuable item you’ve found so far? Did you keep it?

1. Vintage Furniture

Don’t sleep on the furniture at thrift shops and flea markets. Vintage furniture is often studier, prettier, and more valuable than the newer items on the market. This is especially true about wooden furniture.

If you find a good deal on wooden furniture, snag it! I once found a wooden and glass coffee table from the 1940s that I bought for $50 and sold for $700. Honestly, $700 was low as some vintage coffee and end tables sell for thousands.

2. Old Band T-Shirts

Vintage items, including band T-shirts, do best in thrift stores. Not all T-shirts are the same, so I’m not telling you to buy every single musician’s T-shirt in a thrift shop. Instead, focus on the ones that are trending.

I recommend searching websites like Mercari and eBay to see which old band T-shirts sell best. From my research, Metallica, Kiss, and Creed T-shirts sell well.

3. Jewelry

Don’t rule out jewelry when shopping at flea markets and thrift shops. Not all jewelry in these stores is made of gold and diamonds.

Honestly, I’ve had the best luck buying low-cost costume jewelry and selling it for a much higher price. Most of the time, I keep the jewelry for myself because it’s so cute! Costume jewelry is always in demand, especially if you live in a city or town with a thriving theater/art community.

4. Rare Coins

I won’t pretend to be an expert in rare coins. I’ll leave that to my dad, who collects rare coins from the U.S. and the rest of the world.

You’d be surprised how many random things, including valuable coins, are tossed in thrift shops and flea markets. If you’re unsure which coins are rare, I recommend browsing APMEX for ideas.

5. Paintings

Imagine accidentally stumbling on a rare painting in a thrift store. It’s not as uncommon as you’d think.

Have you heard the story of Tracy Donahue? She found a small painting at a thrift store for $4 and sold it for over $100,000. The painting was an original N.C. Wyeth. Talk about luck!

6. Textbooks

The price of college textbooks is no joke. I remember buying an algebra textbook for a class that cost over $300. While it’s been a while since I’ve been in college, this has changed.

Thrift stores and flea markets often have a great variety of books, including college textbooks. If you’re on the hunt for a cheap textbook, check out thrift stores in university towns. They often get donated after classes finish.

7. Glassware

Vintage glass is gorgeous and resells for a pretty penny. There are avid collectors of vintage glassware, my brother included.

Every weekend, he and his friends explore different thrift shops and flea markets, looking for colorful glasses made with uranium. You can find these fascinating pieces for less than $1, but online, they go for as much as $100 for just one item.

8. Cookie Jars

Cookie jars aren’t just adorable but also very valuable. This is especially true for vintage pieces with elaborate designs.

My husband and I inherited a kitchenware set with four cookie jars that now sell for over $500. Look at Etsy—one vintage cookie jar alone can cost as much as $150.

9. Colorful Pyrex Dishes

My favorite section in any thrift store is appliances and kitchenware. I just love the look and durability of vintage kitchen items, and colorful Pyrex dishes are no exception.

My mom used to have them but gave them away and regrets giving them away. Online, these pieces sell for $60 per bowl.

10. Carnival Glass

Have you ever heard of carnival glass? I can’t keep my eyes away from these stunning pieces. I always see them in thrift shops and yard sales and can’t help but buy one or two.

So, how much can you resell them for? On Etsy, I’ve seen them range anywhere from $10 to $150 apiece.

18 Everyday Household Items That Are Surprisingly Valuable to Collectors

You don’t have to be a collector or hoarder to have several valuable things in your home. We all accrue many items over the years, some of which could be worth money. Even some everyday household items can be valuable, especially to collectors.

To help determine whether any of your household items are valuable to collectors, we’ve assembled a list of 18 everyday items you likely have in your house. Check out this list and see if any of your items are ready to be turned into money.