Woman Discovers Hidden Value in Thrift Store Taxidermy Goat

A woman’s perception of her father-in-law’s thrift store purchase dramatically changed when she learned of its potential worth. Gracie Wiggins initially thought her father-in-law, Blaine Wiggins, was “crazy” for spending $320 on a taxidermy dall sheep figure at a Goodwill store during the Thanksgiving weekend. However, the family’s discovery of the item’s market value turned their skepticism into excitement.

While shopping for their family’s white elephant gift exchange, a popular holiday tradition in which participants gift humorous or unexpected items, Gracie was surprised by Blaine’s choice. “I honestly thought it was a joke and he was gonna use the goat as his gift,” she recounted. When Blaine revealed that similar pieces were listed online for around $4,995, the family quickly recognized the unusual find’s potential.

According to Capital One Shopping, there are over 25,000 thrift stores across the United States, which often feature rare and valuable items. Nevertheless, few such stores likely stock an item as unique as the dall sheep that Blaine discovered. Gracie shared her experience on TikTok, where she highlighted the surprising nature of the find, referring to it as a “crazy find” that her father-in-law was excited to take home.

Blaine’s keen eye for thrift store treasures is underscored by the family’s recent venture into the vintage market. Gracie and her husband recently opened a vintage clothing store called Old Threads Company in Orem, Utah, with Blaine as a part owner. “They’ve all been reselling for a few years,” she explained. “We mainly sell clothes but sometimes we come across things like the goat that we just can’t pass up on!”

The family plans to sell the dall sheep on eBay, where Gracie has already found multiple listings for similar items, all priced around $5,000. “We’re confident it will sell,” she remarked, indicating that the family anticipates a significant return on their investment.

For now, the dall sheep will be displayed in the family cabin, where they celebrated Thanksgiving. Gracie considers this thrift store discovery to be one of the most remarkable finds she has encountered. “It’s so rare and unusual to find a dall sheep in a Goodwill!” she stated. “This will definitely be a story we will tell our kids and grandkids one day.”

As the family prepares to embark on this new chapter in reselling, they reflect on the importance of maintaining an open mind while thrifting. With stories like theirs, it’s clear that a simple trip to a thrift store can lead to unexpected treasures and lasting family memories.