Across social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, the term reselling has become a huge buzzword. “Resellers” are people who go to thrift stores, buy clothes for cheap, and then sell them at inflated prices to make a profit.

In theory, this seems like a great way to make some extra cash, but how does it affect others? Many people who cannot afford to buy new items at the mall or online turn to thrift stores for clothing.

Thrifting is meant to be cost-effective and environmentally friendly, but resellers often pick through stores and leave with full carts of clothing that they do not plan on wearing themselves or even upcycling.

Resellers try to create a sense of scarcity by hoarding vintage pieces, and many people fall for it. The truth is that there is no overall shortage of vintage clothing. Certain pieces may be rare, but vintage clothing as a whole is not.

The reselling epidemic is not just online. Places like the Brimfield Flea Market host many vintage clothing vendors, and prices vary greatly from booth to booth. I visited a large tent to see what they had for sale, and an Alice in Chains shirt caught my eye. I asked about it, thinking it would cost around $20 to $30.

I was surprised that my wallet did not jump out of my pocket and run away when I found out it was a whopping $200. If the shirt had actually been purchased at one of the band’s concerts or at a festival, that price would have been understandable since it would be a collector’s item.

However, that was unfortunately not the case. It was a Hot Topic shirt from the 2010s. The vendor’s tent was the size of a suburban home, and I walked away without the shirt.

My main takeaway from this experience was that thrifting, once a cost-effective and eco-friendly way of getting some “new-to-you” clothes, has turned into a massive cash grab.