Woman Reveals the Thrift Store Test Most Shoppers Overlook. Then She Uses Her Pinky To Inspect Antique Items: ‘Glass Dings’
A thrifting veteran explains how to secure a bargain, and how to avoid filling your home with junk.
Some of the best thrift store finds come from knowing what to look for before you ever check the price tag. A quick inspection can reveal whether an item is worth taking home or leaving behind, and that idea has become the focus of a viral TikTok.
Creator Lauren (@jeffandlaurenshow) shows how a few simple tests can help shoppers spot quality antiques while avoiding common mistakes. Her demonstrations have drawn millions of views, but not every viewer agrees that every trick tells the full story.
The video has also reminded shoppers that buying secondhand often involves more than finding a bargain. For many, understanding materials, condition and craftsmanship is just as important as the price on the label.
Not everyone was convinced
She begins by demonstrating the pinky test on a wooden dresser. Using only her little finger, she gently pushes a drawer shut, showing that a drawer that closes smoothly with minimal effort can indicate high-quality craftsmanship. The clip labels the result as “expert level craftsmanship.”
She then moves on to another inspection method for crystal pieces. Lauren encourages shoppers to check carefully for what she calls “glass dings,” referring to small chips or damage that may not be immediately visible.
Another tip focuses on silverware. Lauren uses a small magnet to demonstrate that silver is not magnetic, while steel is. The quick test can help shoppers better understand the materials used in flatware before making a purchase.
The video’s caption expands on those demonstrations with additional advice for thrift shoppers. Lauren recommends deciding what categories of items to look for before entering a store, learning basic differences between crystal and glass, inspecting furniture for repairs or missing parts, researching makers’ marks and comparing prices online before buying. She also advises shoppers to clean antiques carefully and purchase pieces they genuinely enjoy rather than chasing trends.
For some thrift shoppers, identifying secondhand finds has also become easier with online tools. Other shoppers have shared how Google Lens can help recognize unfamiliar items, compare similar products, and gather more information before making a purchase.
The demonstrations quickly drew thousands of comments, with many viewers saying they planned to try the tips during future thrift store visits. “Me thrifting from now on,” one viewer wrote. Another joked, “finger everything.”
Several comments, however, questioned whether the furniture demonstration was a reliable way to judge craftsmanship. “Her Pinky test only shows if the furniture has been MAINTAINED. It is in NO way indicative of craftsmanship – an IKEA drawer will push shut with one finger,” one commenter wrote.
Others noted that antique furniture can naturally change over time as wood expands and contracts, meaning older drawers may not always slide smoothly even if the piece was well made. Viewers also pointed out that many vintage dinner knives have sterling silver handles with stainless steel blades, so a magnet test on the blade alone may not reveal whether the item contains silver.
Viewers also joked about cursed antiques, with one asking, “How will I know if the object is cursed?” The reactions also echoed other viral thrift stories, including one psychic medium who claimed she bought a haunted doll while thrifting and later pulled the Death tarot card.
Although viewers disagreed over some techniques, many said the video encouraged them to pay closer attention to condition, materials, and construction. They said the tips could help shoppers make more informed thrift purchases.
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