Sometimes the best finds look like the worst. A thrifter digging through the bins at Goodwill pulled out a Le Creuset Dutch oven that was crusted with gunk. Most shoppers would have tossed it right back.
This one paid about $6.69 for it, and then got lucky twice. The creator behind @j_t_thrifts says they found the lid in a different bin, which meant a complete Dutch oven for the price of a sandwich.
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A Lid In A Different Bin Made It A Complete Dutch Oven
Anyone who has shopped the bins knows pieces get separated. A pot in one bin and its lid in another is common, and finding both is rare. The thrifter called it a bonus.
Then came the part that sells it: the cleanup. The plan was to start with a quick before look at the grime, then see what a little elbow grease could do. The before shot is the reason the after shot works.
The Cleaning Kit Was Bar Keepers Friend, Steel Wool And A Wooden Spatula
The supplies were simple. They used Bar Keepers Friend, a powdered stainless steel cleaner, and a bundle of steel wool. A wooden spatula stood in for fingers, since the pot was very hot.
To start, they put a little Bar Keepers Friend inside the Dutch oven, poured in some water and let it boil. Then they scrubbed everything out with the steel wool, using the spatula to hold it in place.
The First Pass Worked Well But Some Gunk Stayed Put
After the first round, the thrifter said it went really great. A lot of the gunk came out, though a little bit was still hanging on. That is where many of us would have given up.
Instead, they went for a second round. This time they used both the Bar Keepers Friend and some of the powdered steel wool cleaner. They boiled the solution again and repeated the same steps.
The Finished Pot Did Not Look Like The Same One
When it was done, the thrifter was “beyond pleased.” They said the transformation was great and the pot “doesn’t even look like the same unit” they found in the Goodwill bins. A clean before and after is what this hobby is all about.
With the pot looking good, the next step was taking a few photos to list it on eBay. The thrifter’s prediction was bold: “Somebody will buy this for a hundred or more dollars.” That would mean $100 or more for a pot that cost $6.69, a very big jump.
Would You Pick It Up In Its Dirty Condition
The post ends with a question for followers. The thrifter asked whether people would pick this one up at their local Goodwill bins if they saw it in the before condition. It is a fair question, because most of us judge a piece by how it looks first.
A little grime can scare off other shoppers, and that is why it creates an opening. If you can see past the dirt, you may find something that others walked away from. Plenty of resellers build their business on exactly that habit.
Why Le Creuset Pieces Catch A Reseller’s Eye
Le Creuset is a French brand known for colorful enameled cast iron cookware. Its Dutch ovens are sturdy pieces that people often keep for years, and they hold their appeal on the secondhand market. That is part of the reason a thrifter may be willing to take a chance on a dirty one.
The enameled inside is the part to examine first. When you hold a pot like this in the store, look for chips, cracks and deep damage, since those can hurt the value and the use. A stained pot can clean up well, while a cracked one is another story.
Smart Habits For Thrifting Bins And Flipping Finds
Before you buy, check that the lid is there, or know that you may need to hunt for it as this thrifter did. Look all the way around the piece, inside and out. Then think about the time the cleanup will take, because your time counts too.
If you plan to resell, take clear photos in good light, including the before and after if you did a cleanup. Describe the condition honestly, and list any flaws. Honest listings lead to happy buyers and fewer returns.
When you scrub with hot water and strong cleaners, ventilate the room and protect your hands. Use caution with boiling liquids, as the thrifter did by using a wooden spatula. Take your time, and do not rush the job.
The Math Behind A Bin Find Like This
Let us look at the numbers. The pot cost about $6.69, and the cleaning supplies were things many households already own. The thrifter’s real investment was time and a bit of scrubbing.
That is why a find like this appeals to so many people who sell secondhand items. If the pot does sell near the price the thrifter predicted, the payoff would be large compared with the cost. Even so, selling takes photos, a listing and shipping, so it pays to count your own time before you count your profit.
A heavy pot can also be costly to ship, so check the shipping rate before you set your price. Buyers like to see a fair total, and a clear price keeps everybody happy.
A $6.69 pot that cleans up to look new is a fun reminder that value hides in plain sight. Next time you pass a bin of dusty housewares, take a second look.
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