In a stroke of thrifting luck that will make sneakerheads everywhere green with envy, California resident William Ponseti recently stumbled upon a pair of pristine Nike Dunk High Varsity Maize sneakers at his local thrift store-and what he discovered about their value left him stunned.
The Lucky Find
For Ponseti, an avid sneaker collector, spotting the Nike kicks priced at just $38 was already exciting. “I found them at a local thrift store,” Ponseti shared. “I thought they were cool, and I tried them on.”
What made this find particularly special was that the sneakers happened to be in his size-a perfect match that seemed almost destined. After confirming they fit well, Ponseti decided to do what many of us would do: a quick online search “out of curiosity” to learn more about his new purchase.
“I looked them up to see what they were called,” he explained. “I was really surprised. I was already planning to get them, but that kind of sealed the deal.”
The Shocking Revelation
What Ponseti discovered left him astonished-the Nike Dunk High Varsity Maize sneakers had a resale value ranging between $500 and $1,000.
“It just shocked me that they would resell for so much,” he admitted.
Excited about his incredible thrift store score, Ponseti shared his find on Reddit under the username Weekly-Knowledge9208. While some users expressed skepticism about the high valuation, others confirmed similar experiences.
One Reddit user validated Ponseti’s discovery by sharing: “I actually found the same pair for about $20, sold them during covid (2020 I think) for $600 and did a Nike by you custom dunk high in the same colorway.”
What’s Next for the Lucky Thrifter?
Currently, Ponseti has listed the sneakers online to see if he can capitalize on their value. “I have them listed online right now, but if they don’t sell, I’ll probably just wear them,” he said.
This isn’t the end of Ponseti’s thrifting journey, though. He continues to browse thrift stores casually, hoping to uncover more hidden treasures.
The Growing Thrifting Trend
Ponseti’s story highlights why thrifting has become increasingly popular among bargain hunters. According to Capital One Shopping analysis, between 16 and 18 percent of U.S. adults now shop at thrift stores annually.
His find joins an impressive list of thrift store treasures discovered by sharp-eyed shoppers, including:
- A $5.99 lamp later valued at $350
- A Louis Vuitton dress worth $5,000 found for a fraction of the price
- A $3 statue discovered to be a 19th-century marble piece
Whether you’re a sneaker enthusiast or just love a good bargain, Ponseti’s story proves that sometimes, the most valuable items are hiding in plain sight at your local thrift store-you just need the right eye to spot them.
