14 Valuable Items To Hunt for at Goodwill

Goodwill stores offer consumers many benefits. It’s a way to save money on your household budget, and every item you buy means there is one less product heading for landfill.

It’s also possible to make a little money: We’ve all heard stories about buyers picking up a rare antique at Goodwill and selling it for thousands of dollars.

Those big-money profits may be rare, but there is the potential for items of value to be underpriced. Items on this list could either be sold, or they could save you hundreds of dollars, but each one can be considered valuable.

1. Silverware

All silver has a value, even if it’s only as scrap. Some items will pass through the less vigilant goodwill outlets, but it’s important to identify whether you’re dealing with solid silver, silver plate, or some other metal.

Solid silver is far more valuable, and one way to check its authenticity is to use a magnet. It will repel a magnet, while silver plate will be drawn to it, so keep one handy if you’re looking for rare items.

2. Dishware

You can approach valuable items at Goodwill in different ways. Either you can aim to sell on at a profit, or you can make significant savings when compared to buying from new. Dishware often falls into the second category, with many consumers looking to build sets from thrift stores.

The good news is that mismatched dishware is bang on trend right now. It often ends up at Goodwill, because the set is no longer complete, and that gives consumers the chance to pick up a bargain.

3. Vinyl Records

The rarest vinyl records sell for hundreds of dollars and some have turned up at goodwill and thrift stores. Outlets are becoming more aware of value and will tend to check with eBay and other online retailers before putting items on display.

It’s still possible to find a rare release by an iconic artist such as Jimi Hendrix, David Bowie, or the Beatles, so stay patient and keep checking those vinyl racks.

4. Canning Jars

There’s a trend for pickling and preserving: It’s a great way to be frugal and to use up leftover food, while the results are delicious. Any savings could be reduced by the high costs of preserving jars, but that’s where Goodwill can step in.

Pre-used items such as Mason jars often end up at thrift stores. As long as they are clean and undamaged, they can be used again. If you’re not into preserving, you may be able to buy canning jars and sell them at a small profit.

5. Sports Memorabilia

Sports fans love to collect old programs, trading cards, and other memorabilia, but those collections become bulky. Sadly, it’s often the case, that these items are not appreciated by the younger generation, and some valuable items are passed on.

Keep a close eye on goodwill items linked to sports that could be worth a lot of money. They are rare finds, but substantial collections can sometimes be found in thrift stores.

6. Picture Frames

When you consider thrift store art, you need to look beyond the picture. Most paintings and photos have been thrown out for a reason, but if you feel that the image is ugly, the frame could be more valuable.

Picture framing is big business for retailers, but buying at Goodwill cuts those costs. Simply throw away that awful artwork and keep the frame for your own pictures and paintings.

7. First Edition Books

Books are among the cheapest items at Goodwill, and some have been flipped for considerable sums. The most valuable are first editions, and those which have been signed by the author.

Check the inside page to see whether your book is a reprint. If it’s a first edition, you can quickly look up its potential value online. Take it home and you can keep it, or use one of the many digital outlets to sell it on.

8. Furniture

Most items on this list can either be resold for profit or they can save you money on your household budget. In contrast, furniture could fall into either category.

It’s costly to purchase new solid wood chairs, desks, and cabinets for the home, so thrift stores are a good option for saving money. If the item doesn’t fit any of your rooms, consider selling it on for smaller profits.

9. Board Games

In charity shops in the U.K., it’s hard to navigate around without bumping into a board game. All your old favorites are usually here, with Monopoly a typical feature in stores on both sides of the Atlantic.

Common board games are worth a few bucks, but some can stretch to $200 and beyond. The important point is that all of the pieces must be intact, so take some time to check before you buy.

10. Tea Sets

I can speak from experience here, after flipping a tea set that I found in a thrift store. It was a Hendricks Gin special edition, and I only made the purchase for my daughter’s school art project.

Once the job was done, the set was no longer needed, so I was delighted when I turned a £5 buy into a £65 sale via eBay. Other tea sets are similarly sought after, so why not seek them out the next time you visit Goodwill?

11. Cast Iron Cooking Items

The beauty of cast iron cookware lies in its durability. I have a Le Creuset casserole dish that’s still going strong after 25 years, and I aim to get more use out of it.

The downside is the initial cost which can run into hundreds of dollars for new items. The hard-wearing nature of cast iron means that it’s worth seeking out at Goodwill. Items that have seen many years of use should still have plenty of life left in them.

12. Vintage Pyrex

Pyrex is another cooking essential that could be kept for use in the home or sold on to a collector. If you are lucky enough to find a missing piece from a set, it could be especially valuable.

As with all items, some pieces are more valuable than others, so if you’re not completely familiar with your Pyrex, do some research before you head to Goodwill.

13. Vintage Clothing

Retro is in, and that’s great news, because you may be able to complete your entire wardrobe at Goodwill. Preloved clothing is often handed down to thrift stores, and they can be claimed at a fraction of the price of specialist vintage outlets.

Vintage clothing is another goodwill item that can tick two boxes. You could wear or sell on, keeping in mind that other buyers may be willing to pay $200 and upwards for certain items.

14. DVDs

With so many streaming and subscription services, you may think there is no place for DVDs, but that isn’t necessarily the case. The cost of Netflix and others adds up over the year, while some TV packages ask customers to pay extra for the latest releases.

DVDs, in contrast, are among the best and cheapest items to pick up at thrift stores. For a dollar or two, you can add to your library, and you may even be able to dispense with those subscriptions.