I love op shopping — you never know what quirky treasures, vintage gems, or thrift store bargains you might find. On this trip, I spotted nostalgic finds, practical homewares, and even a few surprises that cost almost nothing!
Some days you come home empty-handed, other days you leave grinning with a bag of treasures. Either way, it’s always fun to wander the aisles and see what secondhand gems are waiting for a second life.
Watch: Come Op Shopping With Me
Come op shopping with me as I explore local thrift stores, hunt for vintage treasures, and occasionally gasp at some surprisingly high prices. 👇
Our Op Shopping Adventure
During a recent op shopping adventure, my daughter and I visited several of our usual local thrift stores. Each one has its own vibe, and every visit is a little different. Here’s a peek at what caught my eye along the way.
Lifeline
Walking into Lifeline, I immediately noticed a pair of chameleon-style shoes for $10. The colours just pulled me back to my youth — no idea why, but they were instantly nostalgic.
Nearby, I spotted a Billabong wallet for $7.50. It needed a little clean-up, but it was otherwise perfect. Then I found a Glow Mesh-style purse for $5 — the original brand is collectible online, so it’s always fun to spot a vintage find. There was also a matching keychain purse, but unfortunately, it was made in China, not the original.
I also peeked at the candle section. Most were half-used or plastic LED versions, but then I discovered a Dusk candle gift set for $6 — brand new and still in its box.
🌿 That would make a great gift for someone!
And, of course, a little Tupperware pencil case for $5.50 took me straight down memory lane. I used to have one just like it, with compartments for paper clips, pens, and highlighters. It’s funny how op shops can make you reminisce.
Salvos
Next stop: Salvos. I’ve learned to keep an eye on pricing here — some items are bargains, others… not so much.
A side table for $200 with marks had me laughing. Definitely overpriced. But right next to it was another table for $50, which seemed much more reasonable.
The standout find was an antique hutch priced at $300, down from $320, in good condition and perfect for vintage lovers.
I also spotted a novelty candle for $2 that said, “Look at you getting married!” Brand new, never used.
🌿 This is why I find gimmicky gifts to be a complete waste of money and resources a lot of the time.
Other items caught my eye too:
- Oroton bag — $60, good condition, but I’ve found their leather cracks over time
- 500ml Pyrex jug — $8 (a bit steep since new is around $11)
- Silicone muffin tray — a keeper for baking & freezing portions
- Vintage suitcase — $35
- Vintage makeup case — $40 (loved this!)
I even grabbed a free loaf of bread at the checkout, which was probably yesterday’s bread donated by a local store. Little perks like that always make the trip more fun.
A Second Lifeline
At a second Lifeline, the clothes racks didn’t have much that day, but small treasures kept appearing.
On the counter, a palm trinket with sun and moon symbols for $1.50 caught my eye. I think it’s an incense holder, but I plan to colour the symbols and enjoy it as magical decor.
There were kids’ Converse for $24.50 and tiny Birkenstock knock-offs, which were adorable but stayed on the shelf.
🌿 The days of buying toddler shoes & clothing are well behind me now!
I also spotted a Smarties mug for $7.50, a Vegemite mug for $15.50. I figure those licensed items must sell for a half-decent price online.
Hidden on a shelf, I saw a set of angel note paper with envelopes for $4.50. I remember having these letter-writing sets in the 90s – so beautiful and nostalgic.
The craft section didn’t disappoint:
- Gluesticks – 50 cents each
- Full box of chalk – $2.50
- Greeting cards – 50 cents
- Crossword puzzle book – $4.50 (unused and ready to gift)
1-World Charity Shop
Next, we popped into 1-World Charity Shop.
I love the bags of cleaning cloths they put together, made from recycled T-shirts. It’s a clever and sustainable way to provide rags for businesses, sheds, and personal use from fabrics that couldn’t otherwise be sold.
I also browsed plates for my mismatched collection and picked up some glass food containers with clip-on lids, always handy in the kitchen. A birdhouse for $5 caught my eye — in hindsight, I probably should have grabbed it for my garden!
Other highlights:
- Macrame plant hanger — $6
- Wooden and metal skirt hangers — $3
Some shelves had trophies and novelty items, which always make me chuckle. I mean, who’s going to buy trophies with other sporting clubs and names printed on them?! If you know of a use for old trophies, I’d love to hear it in the comments down below.
And while I mostly borrow large-print books from the library now, I wandered the book aisle anyway — because you never know when a hidden gem might appear.
Final Stop – Third Lifeline
Our fifth and final stop of the day was another Lifeline store. Before I even stepped inside, a butterfly pillow for $3.50 immediately caught my eye. I checked the zipper to make sure I could remove the cover for washing, and it was in great condition — so of course, it came home with me.
There was a colourful bowl that I admired, but let’s be honest, I don’t need any more bowls, so that one stayed on the shelf. I also spotted two pairs of Gucci shoes priced at $250 each — it’s always amazing what people donate to op shops!
Some smaller finds were just as fun: a few pots for $6 each, a vintage-style PVC handbag for $10.50 (not high-quality leather, but cute as a novelty), and brand new Rocko thongs for $12 each.
This is a perfect reminder of why souvenirs can be such a waste — two pairs of brand new P&O thongs were covered in dust, never used. I’m sure the intentions were good!
Furniture prices here were far more reasonable than they were at the Salvos, with coffee tables ranging from $20 to $39.
I was on the hunt for a good-quality stainless steel frying pan and found a good one for $10.50 with the lid. It was a solid brand and definitely stainless steel, just a little smaller than I wanted, so I left it.
Things I Always Check When Op Shopping
Over the years, I’ve developed a few “must-check” areas that often hide the best finds for things that I like to pick up.
My ‘Go-To’ sections:
- Candles & gift sets
- Cookware & kitchen items
- Vintage bags & accessories
- Craft supplies & stationery
- Garden décor & household trinkets
- Books, puzzles & activity sets
Focusing on these sections usually leads to the most exciting and often practical secondhand finds.
When Op Shop Prices Are Too High
Not everything you find while op shopping is going to be a bargain. In fact, it’s becoming all too common for op shops to check out items online and price comparatively.
My issue is, say when a second-hand Kmart singlet is priced at $7 in a thrift store, when you can buy it for that brand new! Sometimes they are overpricing themselves, which defeats the original goal of opportunity shops to begin with.
There were plenty of eye-roll moments on this op shopping trip.
Overpriced item:
- $200 side table with permanent marks
- $8 Pyrex jug (about $11 new)
- $30 stained kids’ Ugg boots
- $24.50 kids’ Converse
🌿 You’ve got to know your prices.
Knowing what items cost new and checking their condition is key to spotting real deals.
Why I Love Buying Secondhand
Buying secondhand isn’t just about saving money, although that is also a big part of it. Using what’s already in circulation and being a conscious consumer is just as important to me.
My top reasons for op shopping:
- Sustainable — keeps items out of landfill
- Unique — vintage & quirky pieces you won’t see in stores
- Practical — everyday items, gifts, or homewares at a fraction of the cost
And let’s be honest, op shopping is just plain fun. Every trip feels like a little treasure hunt.
| 🌿 READ: 10 Reasons to Buy Pre-Loved → |
My Final Op Shop Haul From This Trip
I didn’t leave with a massive haul, but the items I did choose made me happy.
I don’t go op shopping with the sole intention of spending money. I’m pretty conscious about what I spend and what comes into the home, so sometimes not overspending is just as much of a win as finding new treasures.
| Item | Price | Why I Loved It |
|---|---|---|
| Butterfly cushion | $3.50 | Vibrant, perfect for the couch |
| Palm incense holder | $1.50 | Ready for a creative paint project |
| Free loaf of bread | $0 | BONUS – I needed a loaf! |
Total spend: $5 — proof that op shopping doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
Final Thoughts
Op shopping is part treasure hunt, part nostalgia trip, and part sustainable living. Some days you come home with a bag full of finds, other days you just enjoy the wandering. Either way, it’s always worth a visit, because you never know what secondhand gem might catch your eye.
| 🌿 READ NEXT: My 21 Favourite Second-Hand Finds → |
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