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For the past couple of years, thrifting has become a new favorite hobby for teenagers and young adults to enjoy. With aesthetics such as Y2K, goth, earth core and more, a lot of these fashion styles can be found at your local thrift store by people who don’t want them anymore. However, with this trend, thrift stores have been seeing an influx of wealthy influencers coming into their stores. This causes the second-hand stores to raise their prices, as they have a wealthier clientele. it’s becoming harder for people with very little income to afford clothes for themselves and/or their families.
What was once a leisurely stroll through secondhand stores, discovering hidden gems and embracing the thrill of the hunt, has transformed into a high-stakes race fueled by social media, reselling platforms and the ever-growing desire for exclusivity. The rise of influencers and trendsetters on platforms like Instagram and TikTok has transformed thrifting from a personal pursuit into a competitive sport. It is now characterized by intense competition to snag the most coveted items before they’re showcased online or resold at exorbitant prices.
An article written by Josie Hester states that “It’s easy to blame resellers on apps like Depop. It seems that resellers are the ones buying out thrift stores and marking up prices. While this contributes to the problem, as it causes competition for thrift stores, corporate greed is also to blame. What people often do not realize is that thrift stores like Savers and Goodwill are corporate. Both companies are for-profit. Corporate thrift stores are able to receive products for free, sell the products at high markups, and get away with it…”
I used to work at a thrift store called Plato’s Closet. Every shift I had, I would always see people come in and would overhear them talk about how the prices have gone up over the years. Another example is Goodwill; I’ve never been there personally, but I always hear people say on social media that the prices have skyrocketed. One of my biggest pet peeves is when a popular item is trending, a plushie for example, you could go into stores like Walmart, Target, Marshalls, etc. for as little as $15-$20. Cool, right? But then you’ll have resellers snatching up the product before anyone else and they’ll try to sell it for over $150; Completely ridiculous.
On the positive note, it’s safe to say that’s not always the case for some resellers. If anything, I have some respect for them; They go out of there to buy popular products because they know how desperate people can be and are willing to pay anything for them. Smart business strategy if you ask me! In a way they’re also limiting the amount of waste that gets thrown out from fast fashion companies. I’d rather go buy from a reseller with affordable prices than waste my money knowing it’s all going to end up in a landfill.
The rise of thrifted goods has also led to a loss of the original charm and spontaneity associated with thrifting. Rather than enjoying the process of exploration and discovery, shoppers are focused on outsmarting the competition and securing the most valuable finds. The joy of stumbling upon a unique item has been overshadowed by the pressure to score items with high resale potential.
Furthermore, the competitive nature of thrifting has inadvertently contributed to feelings of exclusivity and elitism within the community. Those who are unable to keep up with the latest trends or navigate the increasingly competitive landscape may feel marginalized or excluded from participating fully in the thrifting experience.
While thrifting remains a valuable and sustainable alternative to traditional retail, its transformation into a competitive pursuit has compromised its original appeal. Social media influencers, reselling platforms and the pursuit of exclusivity have shifted the focus away from enjoyment and sustainability toward profit and status. To preserve the essence of thrifting, it is essential to reclaim its spirit of inclusivity, creativity and environmental responsibility, ensuring that it remains a fulfilling and enjoyable activity for everyone.
