Expert Says KY Thrift Store Shoppers Should Avoid These Items

I've become a big fan of thrift stores and vendor malls. Suddenly, the desire to seek out cool and unusual--and mostly forgotten--treasures has become an overwhelming one on nice weekends. Yes, I have no issues molding a road trip around such establishments. And Kentucky has SO many choices.

Thrift Store Items to Avoid

You've heard the phrase, "One man's trash is another man's treasure," right? Well, that's the beauty of hitting flea markets and vendor malls when traveling. Folks in Iowa, say, may have a whole other take on what constitutes a "treasure." I've run into situations where I've readily found something I've been searching for somewhere that I never could around here. It's the thrill of the hunt.

But just like in REAL hunting, some "targets" should be avoided.  And ace thrift shopper Anika Gandhi is all over it with a collection of items she recommends we AVOID bringing home with us from thrift stores or vendor markets. In my opinion, however, she left a big one out, but we'll get to it.

Non-Stick Cookware

We've all been warned about the chemicals used to create non-stick cooking surfaces, that if scratched, those chemicals could get into our food. And yes, one scratch is all it takes.

Running Shoes

I wear size 15s, so this is already a non-starter for me. But because shoes eventually form to the foot inside of them, it might be a painful experience for someone else. Then, there's the bacteria issue. Case closed.

Mattresses

One word. Bedbugs. Next?

Car Seats

Since there's no "CARFAX" on a car seat, you can't know if that used one you see at your favorite thrift store has been banged up or not if there are no obvious scratches. Plus, items like these are constantly updated; an old one might be seriously counterproductive. Safety first.

Fire Extinguishers

Two words. Expiration dates. The last thing you need when a fire erupts in the kitchen is a outdated fire extinguisher. Need I say more?

Food

I've never seen food items in a thrift store, which is the likely reason it isn't on this list. But I see them every time I'm in a vendor mall. The prices are attractive, but 99 times out of 100, those items have expired. Head to your favorite discount grocery instead.

The rest of Gandhi's list include sporting goods, power tools, old cribs, plastic water bottles, pillows, plush toys, and personal care items. What do they all have in common? Yep, safety.

Enjoy your thrifting, but be mindful about what you load into your car.