I found treasure shopping in Goodwill after paying $31 for a designer chair - then I found out much I could sell it for
Andrew Hansen
Published Sep 06, 2026
A LUCKY woman has spent less than $40 at a thrift store but discovered she bought hidden treasures worth thousands.
Yelka Henry posted her Goodwill finds on TikTok and encouraged other shoppers to enjoy hunting around thrift stores.
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The Tiktoker Yelka Henry (@yelkahenry) calls herself an avid thrift shopper and explained in the caption to one video that she was brought up going to thrift stores due to being raised by a single parent.
In the video, she showed off her latest thrift store finds.
One item was a light-brown authentic Ethan Allen Emerson Chair with sloped armrests.
Showing the Ethan Allen website, that model of chair is usually priced upwards of $1,700.
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The chair was initially priced at $1,760 but was on sale for $1,408.
However, in the comments, Yelka revealed that she paid just $31.20 using a 20 percent off coupon.
She also found a vintage plaster Hollywood Regency mid-century lamp in great condition.
The ornate white lamp is usually sold as part of a pair, which can be sold for $1,500.
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Given that Yelka only got one, it is valued at around $750.
The TikToker showed off her new lamp to which she attached a light-pink lamp shade for a stylish fusion of vintage and modern decor.
One viewer asked the lucky thrifter how much she was charged by Goodwill.
She explained that she paid just $8.00 for the lamp.
"SCORE they are beautiful pieces!" the viewer replied.
The two pieces combined cost Yelka just $39.20, but when compared to their retail prices are worth around $2,500.
Yelka wrote: "Being raised by a single mom, that had to shop at the Goodwill to clothe her children.
"She instilled in me the joy of looking for the treasure among the things people don't want and seeing the beauty it can become.
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"Thrift shopping has now become a fun adventure for me.
"Once again so amazing to recycle items, you never know if they are worth a lot more, but the important thing is that you can see the beauty it can become."
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