A Reddit user was stunned after a visit to their local thrift store, where they noticed extremely high prices on silverware.

Posting to r/ThriftGrift, they struck a chord with other secondhand shoppers, many of whom echoed frustrations about rising prices in resale spaces.

"My local thrift shop got a new store manager," they wrote. "RIP value village."

"The audacity," one commenter said. "Who exactly do they think is going to buy this stuff from them at those prices?"

While the silverware appeared to be of good quality, who wants to spend hundreds of dollars at a thrift store? "You can buy all of one type of spoon, or fork, or knife, but you can't get service for four without spending a few thousand dollars," the OP noted in the comments.

Another Redditor added: "Ignoring the ridiculous, outrageous prices, never understood why you would want to split up a set like that. If someone buys just one of those, the entire collection is now worth less."

While thrift stores have long been havens for budget-conscious, and often eco-conscious, consumers, inflation has made its way to the resale market. Some stores, emboldened by the booming vintage and resale economy, now price items not for accessibility but for maximum profit.

Still, it's important to note that these high prices, though frustrating, are the exception, not the rule. For most people, thrifting remains an essential way to stretch a tight budget while finding quality goods to give second lives.

With everything from vintage lamps to designer clothes at a fraction of their retail prices, secondhand shops offer opportunities that traditional retailers simply don't — and help the environment.

Thrifting keeps perfectly usable items out of landfills. Americans throw away over 11 million tons of textiles each year, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. By buying used, shoppers help reduce waste and cut demand for new manufacturing.

So, don't let one overpriced fork set deter you; there are still plenty of gems to discover on thrift store shelves.

What's your primary motivation in shopping at thrift stores? Cheaper clothes 🤑 Trendier items 😎 Reduced environmental impact 🌎 I don't thrift 🚫 Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

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