These Thrift Store Workers List The Weirdest Things That Were Ever Donated
Weird how many people thought these items were suitable to sell...
Thrift stores can turn up some genuinely great finds, but they also seem to attract the kind of donations that make workers stop and stare. In this Reddit thread, thrift and Goodwill employees shared the strangest things people ever dropped off, and the answers range from funny to deeply unsettling.
Some of the stories are just bizarre, while others sound like they came straight out of a crime show. Either way, these workers have seen enough to know that almost anything can end up in a donation pile.
Read on for the weirdest thrift store donations people said they have ever encountered.
Oh my gosh
"I was a receiving and loading lead at a thrift store for a few years. We had this guy who cleaned out storage units for a living, and then he would dump whatever he couldn’t flip with us for a tax slip.He pulls up, and we’re going through it all. Pretty nice stuff; it looked like it was from an estate sale. We get it all unloaded, and then we start snooping through to see what needs to be brought where, and we find this green glass vase filled with sand.I started pouring the sand out into the trash so we could figure out if the vase was worth using.“That’s not sand,”Somehow, we ended up with an unmarked, full urn."
Thrift store donations often reflect an individual's relationship with material possessions, which can be influenced by psychological factors such as nostalgia or attachment styles. Research indicates that people may donate items they associate with positive past experiences, even if those items are no longer functional or desired.
Emotional attachment to objects can lead to irrational decision-making regarding what to keep or discard. Understanding these emotional ties can help both donors and thrift store workers navigate these complex interactions.
Score, tbh!
"A grinder with weed still in it, and somehow a suitcase full of dildos made it onto the floor and was brought to our attention by an elderly lady who wanted to purchase the suitcase but didn’t want 'the extra stuff inside.'I still think a customer had to have somehow snuck a bag of dildos in and dumped them there since anything going to the floor is opened and sprayed with disinfectant. Plus, it was heavy, so it definitely would have been opened if it arrived that way. Either way, it made for an interesting day at work.Edit: I forgot to add money! We were allowed to keep any money we found; usually, it was the occasional few bucks in a purse someone forgot. Other times, it could be big bills, or one lady locked out and found a stash of around $2,000 in two-dollar bills in a trinket box."
Aussie here, kangaroo scrotum merchandise makes for popular souvenirs!
"I worked in donations. In the same day, we got a pickled baby tiger shark and a coin purse made from a kangaroo scrotum.Edit: For everyone wondering how I knew, it still had the original tag on it. My co-workers and I guessed it was an unwanted gift someone felt bad about throwing away.It was not the same person who donated the shark.Who knew my most upvoted comment would be about kangaroo balls?"
Strange business...
"Ah, something I can contribute to. In college, I was one of the people who directly sorted donations.I've seen it all: vibrators, boxes of dildos, a nunchuck collection, to name a few. On more than one occasion, we found large amounts of money stashed away in hollowed-out books, usually $1,000+ in new bills.The one story that sticks out the most was this middle-aged man who consistently came on Saturday evenings to donate used underwear. Bags and bags of men's used underwear for almost three months straight, then suddenly he just stopped."
NO
"When I was about sixteen, I worked at Goodwill for about six months. There was this old homeless man who used to try and sneak inside to sleep and stuff like that. Every day, he'd get kicked out pretty quickly by one of my female coworkers. After about a month of working there with her, the homeless man came up to the counter she was working at, gave her a Target bag filled with rocks, and left. We opened the bag and found a doll underneath about a layer of rocks. It was so friggin' creepy. The doll looked exactly like her. We flipped it over, and the back had her FULL NAME sewn into it. She quit a couple of days later because she was worried about that homeless man coming back to the store."
oH.
"Not something I've found particularly, but something very strange. Every month and a half or so, a man would come by right before we closed and donate a single blank CD. Every single time. My coworkers and I would always put it in and see if anything was on it. There never was."
"Blank because he erased the evidence off of it and used your shop to get rid of the disks so the data couldn't be recovered, and he couldn't be found with the erased discs in his trash."
Weird stuff
"Someone donated an entire trash bag full of dirty diapers.Sex toys. Lots of sex toys. Some older and more naive workers actually priced them and put them on the sales floor.An old electronic chessboard that was somehow worth $2,000+Some rich old lady came in and donated a Ziploc bag full of gold and platinum jewelry - it was real.Huge Beanie Baby collections. Guess someone finally figured out after 20 years that they weren’t a solid investment. It’s something you hear about, but I never really saw before.Maybe not the strangest, but you actually do find some cool old stuff people think is worthless. Cool job for a while."
This thrift-store weirdness is similar to the AITA argument over giving away your friend’s leftover food without permission.
That's fashion, honey
"I did find a shirt with a huge picture of a dead fly on it."
Bargain..
"I was sorting out some donated items and came across an unusual set of tools. Through some research, we discovered that it was a full transorbital lobotomy tool set. It got donated to a local university for display. Apparently, a vintage set in good condition can sell for around $1,000."
NO
"A classmate of mine found a human skull that was donated. It still had remnants of human tissue on it. They reported it to the police, and it turns out it was part of an active murder investigation one state over."
That's amazing
"Finally, a question I can answer. I once found a signed first edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone. Strange, why would anyone give it away!? I managed to buy it for 50p, and it’s honestly my prized possession today."
This post has taught me to always check the pockets of my clothes for money but also for reptiles.
"Finally, my time has come. So many weird donations that I won't even get into because you all won't believe me, but the strangest time was when a young man donated a bag of clothes, and then a small gecko hopped out. We were honestly all lost as to what to do about the little guy until the donor swung back about an hour later, looking kind of frantic, asking if we had seen his lizard. We kindly showed him where it took up residence under the porch used for smoking, and we never saw either of them again.Another time, a woman dropped off a wedding dress and an accordion with no explanation, but she seemed rather upset.What a weird job."
This escalated
"My time to shine! I'm a manager at a large chain thrift store, and this story is from when I was a pricer, so I priced the clothing before it went to the sales floor. It's pretty normal to find a small amount of cash in a pocket every so often, but one day I was pricing a blazer, and I checked inside the inner pockets, as you do, and found two envelopes with Chinese characters on them, each containing $1,000 cash.Inside the same blazer, we found a rubber-banded stack of about 25 credit cards/rewards cards and an expensive-looking watch. We tried to contact the guy, but his phone was disconnected. I think he probably died, and some family member just donated all his stuff without checking it. Anyway, I only got to keep $300 of it, but hey, that's $300 richer than I was before.A couple of other memorable ones my coworkers have found in the past:
- A thick bag of cocaine
- Loaded weapons
- A box of live kittens"
The eclectic mix of items donated to thrift stores speaks volumes about societal values and individual motivations. Each oddity, from vintage clothing to peculiar decor, reflects a personal narrative where donors project their identities onto objects they no longer need. The article highlights how these contributions are often a blend of material worth and sentimental attachment, illustrating a disconnect between what is cherished and what is deemed excess.
The surprising nature of some donations, described in the anecdotes shared by thrift store workers, underscores this phenomenon. Items that may seem bizarre or unsuitable to one person can hold significant meaning for another, showcasing the diverse tapestry of human experience. This interplay of value and sentimentality turns thrift stores into treasure troves, where the unique stories behind these donations can be as intriguing as the items themselves.
Additionally, the concept of 'sentimental clutter' plays a significant role in what people choose to donate. Many individuals struggle with the emotional weight of items that remind them of past events or relationships, and letting go can be challenging.
Studies show that when people are encouraged to practice mindfulness about their attachment to these items, they are more likely to make rational decisions about what to donate. Techniques like 'decluttering' can help in understanding emotional attachments and promote healthier donation practices.
The peculiar items donated to thrift stores not only reflect individual quirks but also shed light on the broader dynamics of consumer culture and identity. The stories shared by thrift store workers about the strangest donations highlight how personal motivations can shape what people choose to give away. Items like a taxidermy raccoon or a collection of vintage clown figurines speak volumes about the diverse reasons behind donations, whether they stem from a desire to declutter or a misguided sense of nostalgia.
By encouraging individuals to contemplate their motivations for donating, thrift stores can foster a culture of more mindful giving. This reflection could lead to contributions that are not only more suitable for resale but also enrich the community in meaningful ways. Ultimately, the treasures and oddities found on thrift store shelves are a testament to the unique stories that each donor carries, and understanding these motivations can enhance the overall thrift shopping experience.
The phenomenon of donating items to thrift stores often reflects deeper emotional narratives, particularly for those grappling with clutter or personal loss. As highlighted in the article, the sheer variety of odd and whimsical donations can be seen as a testament to the diverse experiences of individuals seeking to lighten their emotional and physical loads. Each quirky item, from vintage toys to peculiar clothing, carries a story that speaks to the donor's journey toward reclaiming their space and peace of mind.
Moreover, the article suggests that the act of decluttering can be enriched through mindfulness, encouraging individuals to confront the emotions associated with each item. This practice not only fosters more thoughtful donations but also aligns with the intriguing artifacts that surface in thrift stores, each representing a moment in time and a personal connection that is ultimately passed on to a new owner.
The quirky and often bizarre items donated to thrift stores provide a fascinating glimpse into the diverse motivations behind these gifts. The article highlights a range of unusual donations, from a taxidermy alligator to a fully functional vending machine, showcasing the unpredictable nature of contributions. This unpredictability reflects not only individual behaviors but also the broader cultural attitudes toward second-hand goods.
Thrift store workers play a crucial role in fostering a welcoming atmosphere. By encouraging open dialogue with both donors and shoppers, they can cultivate a sense of community. The shared experience of discovering unique treasures and rehoming forgotten items enriches the overall thrift store experience, reinforcing the idea that giving and receiving is a communal act that benefits everyone involved.
Want to know if you’re the jerk for refusing to donate to your coworker’s suspicious charity drive? Read this workplace dilemma.
