11 Bizzare Items You Can Find In Thrift Stores

These stores are like hidden treasure troves packed with stuff people no longer need. You might stumble upon vintage clothes that are back in style or funky decorations that add a quirky touch to your home. It’s like going on a treasure hunt whenever you enter the door.

So, whether you’re hunting for a one-of-a-kind outfit or a conversation-starting knick-knack, thrift stores are the place to be!

Money 

People often unknowingly leave money tucked away in pockets or hidden compartments of clothing items donated to thrift stores. It’s common to find forgotten cash, gift cards, or even valuable jewelry stashed inside jackets, purses, or bags. These unexpected discoveries can be a pleasant surprise for thrift store shoppers, adding an element of excitement to their shopping experience

Ashes

Occasionally, individuals unintentionally donate urns containing ashes or other sentimental items belonging to deceased loved ones to thrift stores. These heartfelt yet mistaken donations can occur when clearing out a deceased relative’s belongings without realizing the significance of certain items. Thrift store employees and volunteers handle these situations with care and sensitivity, aiming to return such items to their rightful owners or handle them respectfully.

Animal Skin Rugs

Animal skin rugs are sometimes found in thrift stores, offering a unique and exotic touch to home decor. These rugs, made from materials like cowhide or sheepskin, may be donated by individuals who no longer want them or are redecorating their homes.

Enigma Machine 

Many unknowingly donate war-related artifacts, such as Enigma machines, to thrift stores, unaware of their significant historical and monetary value. Once used in wartime communications, these rare and collectible items can fetch thousands of dollars at auction.

Vintage Taxidermy

These are preserved animal specimens, often mounted on wooden plaques or stands, commonly found in thrift stores. For example, mounted deer heads, stuffed birds, or even full animal pelts. While some may find them intriguing as conversation pieces or rustic decor, others may find them macabre or unsettling.

Eccentric clothing items

Thrift stores are treasure troves for unique and eccentric clothing pieces that reflect different fashion trends and eras. You can easily find sequined jumpsuits from the disco era, animal print pants reminiscent of the ’80s, or vintage costumes like clown suits or mascot uniforms.

Unique Home Decor

Thrift stores offer a diverse selection of home decor items, ranging from kitschy to elegant. You can find include quirky lamps shaped like animals or objects, table with legs that look like real human, gaudy vases adorned with bold patterns or colors, or decorative plates featuring eccentric designs or motifs.

Retro kitchen gadgets and appliances

Thrift stores often carry a variety of vintage kitchen tools and appliances that harken back to a bygone era. Examples include avocado-shaped ice cube trays, pineapple corers, a peach-shaped kettle, a keyboard waffle iron, and novelty egg separators. While some may be practical and functional, others may be purely decorative or novelty items.

Autographs

Thrift stores sometimes yield unexpected treasures, including rare autographed items by popular bands, artists, sports players, and celebrities. These valuable finds often come from individuals who may not recognize the significance of the autographs or are simply decluttering without realizing the item’s worth.

For example, you can find signed vinyl records by legendary bands like The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, or sports memorabilia by Michael Jordan. 

Hitler Related Items

Some people have stumbled upon Hitler-related stamps and other memorabilia in thrift stores, though such discoveries are exceedingly rare. These items may include postage stamps featuring Adolf Hitler’s image, Nazi propaganda posters, or even historical artifacts from World War II.

Prosthetic Leg

It’s not unheard of for people to come across prosthetics, including artificial legs, in thrift stores. While this may seem surprising, these items are typically donated by individuals or families who no longer have use for them or have upgraded to newer models.