The Mary Sue
‘Goodwill pricing stuff as if it’s brand new’: Minnesota woman goes thrifting. …
As for the heftier price tags, one TikToker reveals the alleged reason you may not be scoring thrifting finds: Google Lens.
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Digital Pricing Tools Transform Thrift Store Experience, Sparking Debate
A recent viral video from content creator 'yoursecondhandstash' has sparked discussion among the thrifting community, highlighting a perceived shift in the second-hand market. The video, uploaded on September 17, 2025, features a voice-over expressing a common frustration: 'I hate to say this, but thrift store workers using Google Lens for pricing has ended thrifting as we know it.' This sentiment reflects a growing concern among veteran thrifters and resellers who believe that the integration of technology, specifically image recognition tools like Google Lens, is diminishing the traditional 'treasure hunt' aspect of thrift shopping. According to the creator, this practice leads to more accurate, often higher, pricing of items that might once have been overlooked or undervalued. The video, set within a bustling thrift store environment, shows various bins and shelves, visually reinforcing the context of the discussion. While some argue that fair pricing benefits the non-profit missions of many thrift organizations, others lament the loss of the 'deal' and the unique thrill of discovery that has long defined the thrifting experience. This trend suggests a broader modernization of retail practices, even within the charitable second-hand sector, adapting to digital tools to optimize inventory valuation.
