A thrifting expert who has spent hours watching authentication videos to improve her knowledge has discovered a number of bargains, including a rare designer handbag bought for £3.50 that resold for £400.
Kat Lambert's latest find is no exception. Hidden on a charity shop shelf, surrounded by bric-a-brac and other ornaments, was an item with a £1 price tag that is actually worth £75.
A Cinderella mug on the top shelf
“It was a Disney Cinderella mug on the very top shelf,” said the reseller, from Bolton. “I spotted it right away. Disney always catches my eye, as there are a ton of collectors out there.”
“My first thoughts were to check the condition and look underneath for a makers mark. There are a lot of unofficial Disney items. Then came the research – and the exciting bit. I had a quick look on eBay and saw the exact same one sold for £75 recently. People either haven’t got the time or patience to check.”
“And neither do people in the charity shops, as clearly most have walked past this. There’s always hidden gems if you know where to look. I give a lot of my own personal items away to charity, even though they’re valuable, as I like to think someone else can grab a bargain or make some money.”
The mug and other Disney finds
The mug appears to be a Disney Classics Cinderella Vintage mug dating back to the 1990s, decorated with a design of the princess and Prince Charming waltzing down a grand staircase. After posting the find on social media, many people recognised the piece from their childhood.
Kat also shared prices of other Disney mugs that sold recently on eBay, including a Lady and The Tramp mug for £19.93 and one of The Aristocats, which sold for £40.
Users flocked to the comments to share their reactions and their own finds. “Maybe I need to keep all of my Disney mugs, I’ve got tonnes from about 20 years ago,” Lianne said.
Stephanie said: “I did spot that but didn’t think it would be worth that much.” Claire commented: “I got the Aladdin, Pocahontas mug. Had them since I was 12yr. And found a Lion King mug in the charity shop. But its not worth anything without the boxes.”
Olivia said: “I have so many and never used in boxes.” Lorraine added: “I wouldn’t even had paid a pound for that.”
While she hasn’t yet listed the item, her plan is to eventually sell it. The 37-year-old previously shared her top tips for selling thrifted items online, such as Vinted. She added: “A big tip when selling on Vinted – or anywhere else – is keywords. The brand name and colour description isn’t enough. Learn what to look for. It changes everything.”
