topic Re: Bought a great A&F hoodie at thrift store and found inside.... in Community Chat

Bought a great A&F hoodie at thrift store and found inside....

60sgirl — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 14:30:24 GMT

On Saturday I got a great hoodie for $3.00, of course I went to wash it yesterday, saw that the pockets were zippered pockets and opened them up. Out fell 3 really nice pieces of jewelry, one being a charm bracelet with lovely charms including a Star of David.

Obviously someone donated this garment without checking pockets. I went back there this morning and they have no idea who donates what so couldn't help me.

I don't wear jewelry much and so don't know if any of these are valuable or not but would like to see if I can find the owner. I certainly won't post on Craiglist because I believe that 90% of those posts are fake, not reliable, posted by people who steal things and then sell them (especially dogs) and so forth.

This thrift store is huge and gets donation from many, many cities. Any ideas on how I might find the owner and discretely ask questions so that a hundred people don't all claim it is theirs?

Re: Bought a great A&F hoodie at thrift store and found inside....

brii — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 14:31:54 GMT

I can't imagine how you would find the owner.

Re: Bought a great A&F hoodie at thrift store and found inside....

Lila Belle — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 14:32:25 GMT

Perhaps a personal ad in your newspaper asking the owner to identify the items ?

Re: Bought a great A&F hoodie at thrift store and found inside....

scotttie — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 14:34:06 GMT

An ad in the local papers with a reply to the newspaper box number? And you could say "owner may claim by paying for this ad" I have seen ads like that before for various lost and founds. Obviously don't describe what you found just say "found in jacket from thrift store" and then people won't know if you found money or what, but the true owner will know

If you do the box number you have an extra layer of protection from shady characters.

Re: Bought a great A&F hoodie at thrift store and found inside....

lolakimono — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 14:34:56 GMT

Try posting on Facebook or Twitter, with a picture of the hoodie. Then the previous owner has to describe the jewelry to get it back.

You could also check with synagogues near the donation center and see if anyone recognizes the hoodie.

Re: Bought a great A&F hoodie at thrift store and found inside....

melfie — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 14:36:03 GMT

It used to be that newspapers had a lost and found section. Check your local paper.

Re: Bought a great A&F hoodie at thrift store and found inside....

sidsmom — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 14:37:17 GMT

Pay it forward....I would just 'donate' it back to the original thrift store.

Re: Bought a great A&F hoodie at thrift store and found inside....

60sgirl — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 14:43:28 GMT

On 4/6/2015 sidsmom said:
Pay it forward....I would just 'donate' it back to the original thrift store.

I thought about that, but I think I'd rather try to see if the owner wants it, it could mean something to her.

ETA: TY scottie, sound like a good first start

Re: Bought a great A&F hoodie at thrift store and found inside....

scotttie — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 14:56:54 GMT

On 4/6/2015 Macy said:
On 4/6/2015 sidsmom said:
Pay it forward....I would just 'donate' it back to the original thrift store.

I thought about that, but I think I'd rather try to see if the owner wants it, it could mean something to her.

ETA: TY scottie, sound like a good first start

You are welcome. And, I agree, I'd try to find the owner first. Did you leave your phone number with the store in case they come back for the items?

Re: Bought a great A&F hoodie at thrift store and found inside....

evelomaddict — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 14:59:40 GMT

On 4/6/2015 scotttie said:
On 4/6/2015 Macy said:
On 4/6/2015 sidsmom said:
Pay it forward....I would just 'donate' it back to the original thrift store.

I thought about that, but I think I'd rather try to see if the owner wants it, it could mean something to her.

ETA: TY scottie, sound like a good first start

You are welcome. And, I agree, I'd try to find the owner first. Did you leave your phone number with the store in case they come back for the items?

i agree.

Re: Bought a great A&F hoodie at thrift store and found inside....

missy1 — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 15:13:30 GMT

I am glad you are trying to locate the owner, unlike those that find dogs/cats and keep them because they THINK they were neglected etc.

Re: Bought a great A&F hoodie at thrift store and found inside....

missy1 — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 15:14:46 GMT

On 4/6/2015 sidsmom said:
Pay it forward....I would just 'donate' it back to the original thrift store.

My guess is an employee might keep it

Re: Bought a great A&F hoodie at thrift store and found inside....

millieshops — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 15:27:59 GMT

I can't imagine finding the owner unless the items have special markings - initial, dates, etc.

If you ever volunteer at even a local thrift shop, you find they are overwhelmed with donations from plenty of people who buy and buy and buy and eventually donate. Bags that come in one week may not be touched for a month - or more.

And shops that are part of a bigger operation where donations move from place to place - I can't even image the delays between when something is donated and when it hits the sale racks, but months and months and months.

Re: Bought a great A&F hoodie at thrift store and found inside....

hennypenny — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 15:31:15 GMT

I would put a notice in the paper. Also, if you live in a smallish town with only one Jewish Temple you might contact them. They could put it in their bulletin or make an announcement at service.

Re: Bought a great A&F hoodie at thrift store and found inside....

60sgirl — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 15:56:32 GMT

TY to all who made suggestions. I did leave my phone number at the shop in case someone came back and said they mistakenly left jewelry in a donated item.

I live in a large town with many synagogues so not sure that would do much good. I think I will place an ad in the city paper and see if it gets responses. I'll try to be vague and just say it was a hoodie brought into ____ thrift store, date unknown (could have been months ago) and if anyone responds, they can tell me what jewelry they are missing.

I actually just found another piece in the dryer, a jeweled barrette, so 4 pieces, maybe just junk stuff but the charm bracelet to me with the Star on it could mean something.

and yes, sadly I think some employees could keep donated items if they think they could sell them off Craigslist.

Re: Bought a great A&F hoodie at thrift store and found inside....

sidsmom — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 15:59:20 GMT

On 4/6/2015 Macy said:
On 4/6/2015 sidsmom said:
Pay it forward....I would just 'donate' it back to the original thrift store.

I thought about that, but I think I'd rather try to see if the owner wants it, it could mean something to her.

Unfortunately, one doesn't leave an important piece in a sweatshirt pocket...no less the same sweatshirt that was donated.

That religious symbol might reasonate to someone by 'paying it forward'...and if it's the worker or someone buying, passing on that strength of faith is more important than anything.

Re: Bought a great A&F hoodie at thrift store and found inside....

60sgirl — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 16:14:50 GMT

On 4/6/2015 sidsmom said:
On 4/6/2015 Macy said:
On 4/6/2015 sidsmom said:
Pay it forward....I would just 'donate' it back to the original thrift store.

I thought about that, but I think I'd rather try to see if the owner wants it, it could mean something to her.

Unfortunately, one doesn't leave an important piece in a sweatshirt pocket...no less the same sweatshirt that was donated.

That religious symbol might reasonate to someone by 'paying it forward'...and if it's the worker or someone buying, passing on that strength of faith is more important than anything.

oh c'mon now. I said the pockets were zippered shut. Anyone could easily take something off to wash dishes, do something in the yard, and put in the pocket and then forget they put it there. A&F is mostly for young kids I believe and maybe a young girl put it there and forget where she left it, then her mom took a bunch of stuff to donate and it's gone.

I am not going to reason it out by saying it might mean something to someone else. This thrift store is usually packed with people who look rather down on their luck and fill up their carts with cheap clothing for themselves and their kids. I went in there hoping I might spot a good blender on the cheap as lots of people donate kitchen items from time to time.

I spied the jacket on the endcap of a rack as I was passing through and needed a warm hoodie for working outside in 50 degree weather right now and at this price it was just the right thing.

Re: Bought a great A&F hoodie at thrift store and found inside....

Elstongunn — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 16:25:26 GMT

On 4/6/2015 Macy said:
On 4/6/2015 sidsmom said:
Pay it forward....I would just 'donate' it back to the original thrift store.

I thought about that, but I think I'd rather try to see if the owner wants it, it could mean something to her.

ETA: TY scottie, sound like a good first start

I would also add that it's an AF hoodie. Otherwise, you'll get responses from anyone who ever donated any brand of hoodie!

Good luck. I think you are doing the right thing.

Re: Bought a great A&F hoodie at thrift store and found inside....

sidsmom — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 16:25:28 GMT

'....who look rather down on their luck'? Can't imagine walking around judging like that. Helping or not helping someone because they look a certain way.

Everyone deserves my kindness....and if that means leaving a token of faith for someone to pick up, then so be it. I would think the Powers of Be would want that. I'm not a religious person & even I can see that. Kindness is a good thing...I would pay it forward.

Re: Bought a great A&F hoodie at thrift store and found inside....

foundinlv — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 16:28:29 GMT

On 4/6/2015 hennypenny said:
I would put a notice in the paper. Also, if you live in a smallish town with only one Jewish Temple you might contact them. They could put it in their bulletin or make an announcement at service.

Great idea.