Savvy shoppers have proven that they can make big profits by picking through piles of items at second-hand stores.
They were still amazed at the bargains they got on vintage kitchenware.
“Le Creuset stock in the trash can,” said Reddit user Wontedlywilly.
“I honestly can't believe my eyes, I've never seen Le Creuset in the wild before,” they added.
This theft is not something to be taken lightly.
After all, they found not one, but four expensive branded items.
For some, these purchases brought on a sense of nostalgia.
“Wow this is the original handle design. Mine was from my grandma. Awesome,” one user wrote.
They undoubtedly saved hundreds of dollars in savings.
Le Creuset, a luxury kitchenware brand, sells round Dutch ovens in sizes ranging from 2 quarts to 13-1/4 quarts, with prices ranging from $260 to $625.
The durable oven is said to be easy to clean and less prone to chipping.
Enameled cast iron is also said to offer “superior” heat distribution.
Meanwhile, the tight-fitting lid helps to return moisture to your food, and the ergonomic handle makes it perfect for lifting.
Another impressed Reddit user was curious about the state of the oven.
“Wow! Great find! What about the enamel coating on the inside? Congratulations!” the user wrote.
“It's generally good, I just think it needs a good cleaning,” they replied.
Yet another Reddit user, a fellow saver, shared a hack of their own.
“Pro flipper tip: fill your pans with water and add 1/4 cup of bleach to each pan,” the commenter said.
“Leave it on for 30 minutes and watch the magic happen — your enamel will return to its original color,” they added.
Others were enthralled with the thrifty items they had created.
“Unbelievable, I don't understand how something like this could end up in the trash,” one user said.
It seems like it takes a lot of patience to find luxury items at much cheaper prices.
“It's literally like 90% trash and 10% treasure lol. You have to put in the effort but I've made some amazing purchases there,” commented another reader.
Why is Le Creuset so expensive?
Le Creuset cookware is on the wish list of many home cooks and bakers.
But the French brand's Dutch ovens can cost anywhere from $260 to $750, and even its bread maker can cost as much as $180.
So why the hefty price tag?
Le Creuset Dutch ovens are some of their most popular products and, like all of their cookware, are made from high-quality enameled cast iron.
They are built to last and also come with a lifetime warranty to be “free from defects in materials and workmanship.”
“It comes down to whether you want to buy a $50 thing over and over again, or whether you want to invest in something and use it for a long time,” Nate Collier, Le Creuset's director of marketing and communications, tells Eater.
According to Cookware Insider, the brand's products are inspected by 15 quality control personnel before being sold.
Of course, they are beautiful and quite a status symbol.
“You might think this is a simple piece of cookware, but even the silhouette of a Dutch oven is recognizable,” Collier said.
“If you show someone a line drawing with no color, they'll know it's a Le Creuset Dutch oven.”
Celebrity fans include Julia Child, Marilyn Monroe, Jennifer Garner and Taylor Swift.
