'Egregious': TikTokers Vent About Massive Markups At Thrift Stores, Flea Markets Across the Country The resale market used to be a cheaper option for those interested in vintage fashion. Now, social media is making thrifting more expensive.
By Emily Rella
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Reselling clothing and shopping at thrift stores can be a great way to save money and promote sustainability. But now that thrifting has become a big social media trend, TikTokers are expressing frustration with secondhand stores and flea markets that are capitalizing on the movement by marking up items by massive margins.
One clip by a woman named Katie Huber, which has been viewed over 409,000 times, calls out people who "sell vintage t-shirts" at flea markets.
@gingeraleprincess99You know the type and frankly you've probably dated the type
♬ original sound - Gingeraleprincess99
"I cannot do this anymore," she tells viewers. "$85 for a vintage Oregon Ducks T-shirt with the Tasmanian Devil on it? Get a grip."
According to her profile, Huber is based in New York.
"The ones around me sell them for $100 or more with holes and stains," one lamenting viewer commented.
A second TIkToker, based in Brooklyn, also took to the platform to vent about marked-up prices at the flea market.
@boring.girl0 Bffr #greenscreen #willamsburg #bushwick #thrifting #vintagestore ♬ original sound - Boring.Su
"I know times are hard but there is no reason you should sell Champion basketball shorts for $55," the creator vented. "Why are we doing this to each other?"
On TikTok alone, the hashtag #thrifthaul has 3.8 billion views.
Many in the comment section agreed with the creator, venting about vintage prices all over the country.
"A store in Seattle was selling a Target shirt for 60 dollars," one user vented.
"The Bay Area is worse, they'll sell a child's Macy's dress from 2008 and call it vintage and make it $75," one California resident claimed.
According to Step by Step Business, the markup for thrift or resale items can be between 5 and 8 times the original price.
A study by the National Association of Resale and Thrift Shops alleges that the average thrift store in the United States earns about $300,000 in revenue per year.
