ULPT: How to be a pain in the ass for a thrit store scalper
Posted by ExcitingDoor6163@reddit | UnethicalLifeProTips | View on Reddit | 113 comments
Hey I recently came across a pretty big platform on FB of this lady who goes around to goodwills and other thrift stores in her area, buys up all the good stock, and then resells it for way more. Her whole page is dedicated to this and in the comments lots of people have called out how she's sort of....the worst for doing that, and she just responds with vitriol to them and calls everyone dumb.
Technically she's not doing anything illegal but it just really annoys me, as someone who used to love thrifting in highschool but has now stopped bc when I go now it's almost impossible to find anything that isn't just shein or h&m crap bc all the good stuff gets taken by parasitic people like her. I get that the economy is hard rn and we're all looking for ways to make ends meet but fam....ripping off from local community spaces meant to keep things affordable so that YOU alone can benefit while screwing the rest of us over....not cool.
Anyways tldr\~ How can I be a thorn in the side of an annoying influencer who scalps thrift stores for her own gain and then goes to brag about it on social media?
MajorAcer@reddit
What’s wrong with what she’s doing?
TheWalrusNipple@reddit
People like her are partially the reason so many hobbies are unaffordable. Retro games, music, concerts, many hobby items. A large portion of people just want to thrift what they want for themselves to fuel their passions/hobbies. Scalpers take everything for themselves and then flip it back onto those that would have enjoyed it for a profit. Sure it's technically legal but it's just the "fuck you I got mine" mentality that effects everyone.
5WattBulb@reddit
These are the same type of people who buy out stock of things as soon as they go on sale, video games, warhammer minis whatever and then sell them for profit. Just because its a thrift store and not something others you give a shit about, its the same process. How would you feel if someone did that with a hobby you enjoy?
Flux_My_Capacitor@reddit
No, not the same.
kraegm@reddit
Thrift stores are meant to be shopping centres for low income households. People who cannot afford retail. They are not intended to be wholesalers for someone else's business.
missmarie9519@reddit
I haven't read that notice! Is it posted on the door somewhere?
kraegm@reddit
YOU as a community member are meant to be aware of this. The same way you don't just stop into your local soup kitchen or food bank if you don't need to. It's not posted on the door there either, but you know you aren't meant to do that either, right?
It's been their mission for decades. The majority of thrift stores serve the community and are not affiliated with the 'goodwills'.
bughousenut@reddit
thrift stores are meant to benefit the store and their mission. if their mission is helping the disabled (like Goodwill) rapidly turnover of inventory generates more revenue.
HippyGeek@reddit
WRONG. Thrift stores are a vehicle for corporations to sell the stuff that people give them for free in order to turn a profit with as little overhead as possible. Look up Goodwill's Ebay store. They sell all the good stuff on Ebay. They're not trying to do anyone any favors but themselves.
i-am-foxymoron@reddit
File this under "Don't hate the player, hate the game". I think it's shitty that she's isn't nice when people call her out on what she's doing. But unless she's working with someone at the thrift shop or stealing the donations to get items that never get put out, she's not doing anything wrong.
You just need to get there sooner than she does.
snksleepy@reddit
Agreed. OP is mad that she can't beat this lady in the hustle.
TicketyB000@reddit
100% agree. Flipping is a great way to make an honest living.
McBurger@reddit
Agree. And she’s not even likely making very much money.
Buying up inventory & reselling it sounds nice and all, until you end up stuck with a bunch of pieces that you can’t sell.
The only winner here is Goodwill. They get their inventory gifted to them for free and can just discount it further or toss it if it doesn’t sell.
kraegm@reddit
OP has never mentioned Goodwill. Most thrift stores are local and benefit local charities and the less fortunate those charities help.
We have three locally and all three benefit food banks, shelters, and our local hospital. They are locally operated and trust me when I say none of those operators are getting rich.
McBurger@reddit
they specifically said goodwills 🙊
but regardless it doesn’t change my point..
garage sale and thrift store flippers have a market, but it takes a ton of effort to even make it barely worthwhile.
Mackheath1@reddit
I agree with your sentiment entirely, but Goodwill is literally in the first sentence.
kraegm@reddit
She kind of is, as the donated inventory is intended to be deals for those less fortunate.
Soggy-Attempt@reddit
Have you seen how much the executives at goodwill make?
New-Geezer@reddit
NOTICE: GOODWILL IS A FOR PROFIT COMPANY
kevinh456@reddit
They are a 501.3c non-profit
5WattBulb@reddit
Goodwill and these stores have gotten worse to the point theres no point in shipping there anymore. I would usually go for electronics that I cam repurpose motors and stuff out of. But you want 40.00 for a used foot massager that someone donated you for free while paying your employees what amounts to slave wages?
fseahunt@reddit
They don't even sell the good items in most stores anymore. They send them in to be sold exclusively online is my understanding.
i-am-foxymoron@reddit
I agree with you on this. The prices at Goodwill have really gone up. Therr are some items that are cheaper, brand new, at Walmart. So it's not like the poor people are even going to AFFORD buying clothes there.
kraegm@reddit
does that make her behaviour ok? or is that something else that needs to be addressed as well? Both of those things can be wrong at the same time, and one thing feeling 'more wrong' doesn't make the other 'more right'.
Surely you get that?
mercurys-daughter@reddit
She is putting in the work of going out and finding the good clothes, packing and selling them. You are paying for her labor in the equation. You sound dumb as fuck comparing a lady selling clothes to giant corporate over lords
TheScrantonStrangler@reddit
Goodwill already does that "work". She's just scalping used clothes
kraegm@reddit
If you are commenting to me, I haven't actually compared her to the giant corporate overlords. In which case, suddenly you sound "dumb as fuck".
Perhaps comprehension is something you could lean into a little more.
All I've pointed out is that the executives taking a giant salary is a completely separate issue. Also a shitty issue. But it has no bearing on what this woman is doing, which is taking clothing away from the less fortunate and selling it at a higher price.
But no.. your post probably made you feel good for a second, didn't it? Well done.
mercurys-daughter@reddit
You are dumb as fuck, confirmed!
alannmsu@reddit
Lol no, they’re a profit machine for a business. The inventory is intended to be sold for money to whoever will buy it.
kevinh456@reddit
They are a 501.3c non-profit
kraegm@reddit
That's the way people have started to use them. They are meant to be inexpensive places to buy household goods and clothing for low-income households.
It's a way that people who don't have the same level of income as you or I to have some nice things.
MOST thrift stores are non-profits. MOST thrift stores are local. MOST are affiliated with a local charity - a food bank, housing, etc.
To point at a profit machine like Goodwill is to point at another abuse of the system over what their intent was meant to be.
kraegm@reddit
They are intended to be both a profit machine for the charities and communities they support, as well as provide clothing and household items to low income households.
"Thrifting" has made people lose sight of this. Keep in mind, things can serve two or more purposes. Thrift stores are also to help reduce waste by recycling, but it's arguably a much lesser mission than the other two.
Casehead@reddit
Bull. They are for anyone who wants to buy them
Akhurite@reddit
Honestly on her as she donated the “inventory” to a corporation. If she wanted to do right she should’ve just donated them to a shelter or a place where it won’t be resold.
This whole thread is hilarious, acting like thrift stores are social support systems
Born_Local_1477@reddit
It's just deals. It's a corporate yard sale that keeps shit out the landfill for a little longer. They aren't exactly checking your pay stubs at the door.
i-am-foxymoron@reddit
Is it unethical yes. The only thing I could see you doing is talking to the thrift stores about it.
But I'm sure there's a lot of people that buy furniture or collectibles and then fix them up and sell them for a profit. This just happens to be someone selling stuff you wanted. It's not like you're after everyone who does this, just this one person.
colorfulzeeb@reddit
Why would thrift stores care? These people are the reason why they’re now charging 10x what they used to for name brands.
kraegm@reddit
OP has obviously been able to identify this one person, and likely would feel the same if they could identify others.
Where I disagree with OP is they seem to be upset because they don't get the same pleasure from thrifting any more, and unless OP falls into the Low income category, they are also taking clothing intended for someone who is.
Stealyosweetroll@reddit
A lot of people who have no need to thrift, thrift. I don't think there's anything wrong with it, we all have to reduce reuse recycle. But, as a poor person it is annoying, though I still get steals at times.
i-am-foxymoron@reddit
This is my sentiments exactly.
kraegm@reddit
I agree with you 100%. A lot of people do as the OP admitted they do. My point is that OP is doing exactly the same thing on a smaller scale.
It sounds like OP is just butthurt that THEY don't get these, and has no real issue with the ethics of taking away purchases that are intended for people who have no other options than thrift stores.
Mr_Funbags@reddit
I think you can hate the player and the game at the same time. It's not binary unless you want it to be.
Mt_Deverest@reddit
Remove tags from your expensive/designer clothing, sew them onto any fast fashion items you have, donate those to stores you know she frequents.
PimoCrypto777@reddit
OP........THIS IS THE WAY
AuntieCrystal@reddit
Diabolical! I love it!!! :)
tilldeathdoiparty@reddit
Build an AI agent that has a Facebook and comment on every single post, if she blocks them, create another account with a new email.
Also report her everytime she goes off, eventually she will cross a line and get banned
zxexx@reddit
“ripping off from local community spaces meant to keep things affordable so that YOU alone can benefit while screwing the rest of us over”
I promise you goodwill does not exist to keep things affordable. They exist to make a profit.
i_am_icarus_falling@reddit
not only does goodwill have its own ebay-like auction site where they sell the better stuff that gets donated, they also have local versions of a goodwill boutique that has the best stuff donated marked up at higher prices. the one in my town is called "blue" and setup as a chic downtown shop in the area with the highest rent around. they are making serious money.
kraegm@reddit
OP has never mentioned Goodwill. Most thrift stores are local and benefit local charities and the less fortunate those charities help.
We have three locally and all three benefit food banks, shelters, and our local hospital. They are locally operated and trust me when I say none of those operators are getting rich.
BigBoyBoulevard6@reddit
She mentions them in the first sentence...
kraegm@reddit
Agreed... but you are aware that the vast, vast, vast majority of thrift stores are community stores. Usually associated with a food bank, or housing.
Goodwill has its own issues, but you will notice that OP did not mention Goodwill. You and a couple of others have made that assumption. Taking your items to a local Thrift over Goodwill keeps that money in the community, and it acts as it's meant to act.
Thrift stores have been around for a long time, and its mandates have been consistent. Just because some people like "Thrifting" doesn't change the mandate to provide affordable clothing to those in need.
BigBoyBoulevard6@reddit
She mentions goodwill in the first sentence dude...
Affectionate_Fish173@reddit
I don't see what's wrong.... Early bird gets the worm. She isn't the first one to do it. Frankly, it takes skill to go to thift stores and sift through all the stinky stuff and find the gems. Good on her. I don't like doing it. My sister is a wizz at finding stuff. Don't hate coz u can't.
dobed@reddit
bc not everything needs to be a side hustle? not everything needs to be engineered to get the max profit?
i miss the days when thrifting meant you could get a nice little steal for yourself, not make a living through it.
Affectionate_Fish173@reddit
That's your mentality. Some people are wired to hustle, others are like you.
dobed@reddit
“wired to hustle” brother, making a couple bucks per clothing items is not what i’d consider hustling. poor use of time to make measly dollars and it only hurts those who need these cheaper items in the first place.
Affectionate_Fish173@reddit
you're crying because other people are finding those items before you and selling them for two extra bucks. So what is it? Pick your lane!
dobed@reddit
no. i used to go to thrift stores whenever i couldn't afford brand new items and was blessed to find high quality clothing for cheap. now that experience is extremely rare because everything is picked over by hustlers.
i see nuance is a really hard concept for you to understand.
05041927@reddit
It’s not a side hustle. It’s the whole hustle. Good for her. Fuck OP.
TrannySoreAssWrecks@reddit
Ew.
Affectionate_Fish173@reddit
buying used clothes? Yup. And here I am commenting. That stuff reeks. Would not buy.
dolphinitely@reddit
everyone in this thread agreeing with the reseller is why thrifting sucks these days.
Someoneman@reddit
It's unethical life pro tips. Scalping is unethical, so it actually makes sense for people here to agree with it.
femalienboy@reddit
Exactly.
05041927@reddit
Yea this is just a person with a job. Shut the fuck up lol
femalienboy@reddit
Scalpers and resellers can fuck off. ☺️
DonJj27@reddit
In this economy let people get their money…
Brilliant_Creme_2249@reddit
Seriously? Sounds like jealousy because someone is good hustler, if you want them get there first.
petiterunner@reddit
People get very worked up over things like that while supporting many businesses that do the same thing. Just about every business generates income from marking up products; often far beyond original value. Many “locally owned” stores dropship product and lie about characteristics, but because it’s less visible, the outrage is less.
She’s figured out how to monetize something and that angers others. The truest way you can actually “get back at her” is by becoming a genuine competitor. Just understand that you’ll come to learn how much you like the extra income too.
kraegm@reddit
What many are missing here is that Thrift stores are meant to be shopping options for those without the income to spare for retail. Not as a money maker for someone else.
I'm guessing you are ok with Ticket scalping as well, or no because that affects you?
Casehead@reddit
You're just incorrect about this.
Flux_My_Capacitor@reddit
No, this is not true. Charity closets are for poor people who cannot afford goods. Thrift stores are meant to make money for a cause ie shelter, pets, drug rehab, etc.
petiterunner@reddit
My reply disappeared, so apologies if this sends twice.
Nobody is missing that. I used to work for a thrift store, and we were in the business of generating income. Nicer items get priced higher and clients in need are given vouchers to shop for free.
We sent thousands of pounds of clothing to the landfill and other countries on a monthly basis because of the surplus of goods. Anyone who is “in need” is assisted if the store is truly community focused, and those “in need” did not care that resellers “scalped” a designer crop top to sell online.
And no, I don’t care about “ticket scalping”.
petiterunner@reddit
Nobody is missing that. I used to work for a thrift store, and we were in the business of generating income. Nicer items get priced higher and clients in need are given vouchers to shop for free.
We sent thousands of pounds of clothing to the landfill and other countries on a monthly basis because of the surplus of goods. Anyone who is “in need” is assisted if the store is truly community focused, and those “in need” did not care that resellers “scalped” a LoveShackFancy crop top to sell online.
And no, I don’t care about “ticket scalping”.
BirdFragrant6018@reddit
She takes a risk. Buying crap from a thrift store for resale - there is fair chance no one would buy it from her and she will be left with a loss, holding the bag. Then there is time and money to market it and to acquire. It’s a job.
Perhaps she’s adding value there, have you thought? Like I would rather open her page and look through the “good” stuff and pay a bit more, than waste my time at an actual thrift store sifting through sheer crap for hours. My time is more valuable.
kraegm@reddit
The thrift store is not intended for you.
BirdFragrant6018@reddit
No shit? I’m the kind of person who regularly offloads crap from my house to a thrift store, not the one who brings it back to the house
Kat_Smeow@reddit
Everyone needs a hustle. You could perhaps get your own life and mind your business. This is so stupid. Grow up.
Russian-Spy@reddit
It's called "greed".
Just because it's not illegal doesn't make it right. It's one thing if you actually restore the things you resell and give it new life, but I personally see resellers who go around and buy up anything and everything remotely valuable, leaving little quality products for other customers.
What a sad life some of these resellers have, contributing little to society at large.
Flux_My_Capacitor@reddit
It’s not greedy. Vintage and antique dealers have been sourcing at thrift stores since long before the internet came along. It’s about getting things into the hands of those who desire them the most.
kraegm@reddit
I'm with you Kat... it doesn't matter how morally wrong an act is, as long as it doesn't impact us then everyone should just mind their own business. It's only a bad thing when it starts to affect us, right? I mean, everyone needs a side hustle, and taking it from the poorer and less fortunate amongst us is about the easiest way to side hustle, and no one gets hurt, right?
Wewill probably think differently when the day comes when we are in need, but until that day...not our problem.
Isn't ethics fun to ignore?
Flux_My_Capacitor@reddit
Well don’t be a hypocrite. No vintage or antique items for you.
Aetheldrake@reddit
You must be a r/lostredditors because I don't think you know what sub you're in. It's an UNETHICAL sub
kraegm@reddit
Heh... I do agree with you. I started on here pointing out the hypocrisy in OP's issue with her, when they are really just butthurt that this person is doing what they do and turning a profit.
It's entirely ok to point out hypocrisy here... but my comment that you just replied to is for the person that opted to tell OP to myob - so where's your lost Redditors comment for that person?
Aetheldrake@reddit
I did not reply to you. Multiple accounts to push your own agenda I suppose.
StrikingScore8605@reddit
You're the softest, wettest boy
Allthemuffinswow@reddit
No. It's what Clara would have wanted.
RUFukd2@reddit
Don't hate the player, hate the game. Peoplenhave bewn doing rhis shit since the dawn of time.
BusyBullet@reddit
Thrift stores don’t care who buys their stuff and neither should you.
They are making money and hopefully donating some of their profits to charity.
Either way, you’re not going to change anyone’s behavior and you’re unlikely to get this one person to stop.
Even if you do, there are a dozen more just like her doing the same thing at the same store.
Get there before she does and fill your cart.
kraegm@reddit
everyone else is doing it, so it's ok... just get in first.
I don't think you realize the absolute lack of empathy in your comment.
And trust me, the stores know who they are there to benefit, and the staff there prefer it when it goes as planned. Yes, they will sell to you as your money benefits the same charities when you buy something, but you are not who it's intended for, just the unfortunate side effect that Thrift shops have come to accept.
Flux_My_Capacitor@reddit
FYI, there’s one YouTuber who used to do this and she was actually traveling from her home to the Goodwill district where she filmed, which was about an hour and a half away. And she would have her route around the various stores in that particular district and no other districts.
It’s not hard to figure out that she was getting kickbacks from goodwill ESPECIALLY since she would always find such great stuff so it seemed like they stocked the store just for her.
Honestly it makes no sense for her to not have been getting a kickback given that she previously would travel around the region to thrift stores and antique stores, then it was mainly one goodwill district, and then she got tired of that and started other endeavors. People who are familiar with her will know who I’m talking about.
Cycocyco1@reddit
Between yard/garage/church/estate sales, by the pound textile recycling warehouses/the bins, marketplace etc there is SO many great clothes to be had for dirt cheap. I personally wash, repair, store, package and ship out my items i sell, its a hustle like any other. If thrifting and finding treasure is of interest to you, it takes a bit of work to find your hole in the wall honeypot.
Trying to fuck with this person just comes off haterish to me idk.
lashsea@reddit
You realize Goodwill gets things for $0 and marks them up right? You hate it only when a woman does it to support herself and her family?
gsp83@reddit
Flag her shit on FB as fake or unauthentic. She’ll have to provide proof of purchase.
booyah_smoke@reddit
I feel everyone is tripping hard core.is Goodwill is a company owned by people who get stuff givin to them for free? Yes.
Does it state anywhere that this stuff is only for the misfortuned and unwealthy? No.
Do people donate thier stuff to this company hoping that it will go to someone of that caliber? Possibly but even if not they would still do it because its stuff they dont use or want and need to get it out of the way.
Does this company sell the stuff they get for free at ridiculous prices? They didnt use to.
But all in all the perso. That runs the business realized people love the goodwill because you never know what your going to find there and you know economy. Supply and demand. So really they are doing what any company would do. Benefit on the masses. Its not their fault people found out the goodwill is the shit and did what anyone else in their right mind would do. DO YOU. Because in the end that's the only one who is left
Jumpy-Jello-@reddit
I work in one and we love these people. Please come and buy up our stock.
Nervous-Basis-1707@reddit
OP clearly asked the wrong subreddit. Everyone here is a jobless Pokémon card and thrift store scalper.
Kejdak@reddit
lol. That’s capitalism at its finest. God bless her.
7thAndGreenhill@reddit
The best way to get back at her is to waste her time. So figure out how she sells to people and how you can make her go out of her way to not make a sale.
WesTxStoner425@reddit
I do alot of thrifting with the intent to resell. I'll recondition or repair an item and then offer on CL. Quite often my wife sees what I've bought and just appropriated it and so I'm not really making money. I agree that GW top execs are overpaid. GW only claims to EMPLOY the less fortunate/disabled, and they've raised prices a lot higher than before. What i really don't like, and this may be a local trend, is seeing multiple items that are brand new, like 20 copies of lamps or bookends that are offered at high prices. All items are donated, so after wages and utilities, it's pure profit. Being a non-profit doesn't mean they aren't making money, it just means after bills the money is disbursed to the executives and board members.
AmaranthusSky@reddit
Figure out which car is hers. Apply bird seed.
crusty54@reddit
Maybe a piss disk or two
Russian-Spy@reddit
Leave a Google review for each thrift store that you know she frequents and call her out on her behavior.
(Obviously, don't disparage the store itself.)
badchickenbadday@reddit
I don’t see a problem with what she’s doing at all.
mercurys-daughter@reddit
“Parasitic people like her” and it’s some lady trying to make a living off used clothing. Grow the fuck upppp
mercurys-daughter@reddit
Imagine giving a fuck about this like there isn’t actual problems
bluedelvian@reddit
So, she's like an antiques dealer?
THE_TamaDrummer@reddit
OP mad they cant buy the cheap items before hustling thrift lady.
Theres a touch of entitlement in this post.
kraegm@reddit
This one I agree with. Although hustling lady is not being a good citizen, it sounds like OP doesn't NEED the discounts like many do.
kraegm@reddit
Go to the thrift stores themselves with this woman's name and photos. Make certain they know what she is doing.
Thrift stores serve two main purposes...
1. There is almost always a charity/foodbank/shelter behind them on the receiving end of the cash raised by donations. Her behaviour doesn't impact this, and may even result in more money for the charity. If she is constantly cleaning out their inventory, there are less days when donation times close early as they can handle a greater influx of new inventory.
HOWEVER...unless YOU also fall into the category of 'a person in need', your trips to the thrift store impacts those folk as well. Not to the same degree, I admit, but what is the acceptable degree? Is your thrifting just for the fun of it, like garage sales, or is it because you absolutely need it? Is taking two good t-shirts away from someone with less resources ok, and it's just the quantity that you can't agree on?
Gotta be careful when pointing fingers, as you MIGHT not be the moral paragon you believe you are.
DifficultCurrent7@reddit
What platform does she use to sell? If its anything like vinted you could buy some of her stuff and be the most pain in the ass customer ever, complain things showed up damaged, or didn't show up, demand full refunds etc..
yourgrandmasgrandma@reddit
Yeah buy some of her cheapest items and leave bad reviews.
BluBeams@reddit
Block her and move on. Who cares.