A lucky thrifter sparked envy on Reddit's r/ThriftStoreHauls after posting images of their "white whale" found in a local Goodwill.
The object of all their desires was a vintage Coach crescent saddle bag in remarkably good condition. The thrifter spent just $12.52 on the luxury bag that is sold out on Coach's website and costs a whopping $1,499.99 on resale sites.
"There are actual tears in my eyes," the Coach bag's new owner wrote.
"Hell yeah," one person commented in response. "For that price I'd be crying too."
While white-whale thrifts like this one can be rare, it isn't all that uncommon to find incredible deals on luxury brands at secondhand and thrift stores. The Cool Down has covered many instances of lucky shoppers making jaw-dropping luxury good finds, including one of an $18 Herman Miller office chair, a person who found a $300 Hermes scarf for just a few cents, and another who purchased a Fendi baguette worth thousands of dollars for just $4.99.
But thrift stores aren't just for great deals on high-end products. Shoppers can also save money on everyday necessities by purchasing them secondhand instead of brand-new. Research has found that, on average, people who shop secondhand can save almost $150 each month, or $1,760 a year.
Secondhand shopping can also help keep used items that are in excellent condition and perfectly functional from being dumped in landfills. According to The World Counts, 2.12 billion tons of waste enter the world's landfills every year, so every item kept out adds up.
Thrifting is just one way to reduce one's environmental footprint on our one planet, and stories like this one will continue to inspire consumers to make more sustainable choices.
Take it from these Reddit users, who were green with envy for the thrifter's white-whale find and likely already planning their next thrift trip, hoping to find their own unique treasures.
"I'm happy for you but so sad I don't have luck like this," one person wrote on the post.
"This is what thrifting is all about," another said. "Enjoy!"
"Color me jelly! That is gorgeous!" a third Redditor commented.
Join our free newsletter for easy tips to save more and waste less, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Cool Picks
