Thrift Store Finds -- do you do this? Are you embarassed?

I have bought a number of packs of unopened adult diapers at thrift stores--never in the town I work in or in my hometown, but usually in a city about an hour and a half away that I drive to weekly to see my best friend Beth.

I LOVE the thrill of walking to the counter carrying an obvious pack of diapers (much more than the corresponding thrill at Walgreens or CVS) checking out and asking them for a bag, then carrying them to my car and cautiously getting to where I can put them in my trunk without drawing attention. There is this added “risk” to it, in that I make a lot of my money by reselling antiques found at thrift stores, so I feel like I'm doing fetish stuff “at work," even though no one cares and they're there to be sold. Sometimes I'm sheepish about showing my face at those specific thrift stores again, even though, let me emphasize, no one cares. If anything they assume I'm getting a good deal on diapers for an aging relative or something. And if they did assume I was A) incontinent or B) a fetishist, most people are polite enough not to ask. Still, it feels risky and forbidden, and I love doing it.

Usually I open the pack that night at a gas station before I drive home, and discretely diaper myself up in the driver's seat out in the dark with the dome light off, before driving home. Usually I use it before I get home. Usually they're better than drug store brand diapers too, from a medical supplier. Someone's elderly relative died and they gave all their stuff to a goodwill or celebration army, including the diapers their insurance bought them or however it works. Sometimes they're too big for me, as in the case of these blue ones I have lying around. I can't make a good seal with these, so I don't really wear them.

So has anyone else bought diapers at thrift stores? And if so, any good finds? Is it thrilling to you to publically buy diapers like this?

We've picked up adult diapers at charity shops and garage sales. They are useful to have for just in case moments or times. Whether it is for fun or necessity.

Yes, I've bought diapers from thrift stores or from individuals selling on sites like FB market place. Usually I only find the typical drug/department off the shelf diapers. Maybe not the best diapers but the price is usually only a fraction of the original cost. I've been buying adult diapers from stores since way before the internet. So, I don't really get a thrill or embarrassed buying them in person any more.

Thrift store finds is how I first tried diapers. I always check to see if there is a brand that I have not tried. Yes I am embarrassed but I enjoy that. Happy shopping.

I have looked for some a few times, in stores around, but never found any of any use to me. I think because, there are so many 55+ communities around where I live, extra diapers are either snatched up quickly, or never make it to the stores at all.

I haven't but sounds like a fun thing to do if I could find cloth diapers. I wonder if they might also have older style plastic or rubber pants as well./

I haven't but sounds like a fun thing to do if I could find cloth diapers. I wonder if they might also have older style plastic or rubber pants as well./

I don't know that you would find cloth diapers, and I would assume they would toss plastic/rubber pants if there was even the suspicion they were used (which, of course, would be the default assumption when something is donated to a thrift store.) So no, I have never seen either of those.

Many years ago I found a bunch of women snap on briefs in a thrift store.

I also keep a eye out for Disposable diapers, Unfortunately I have not been able to find the right size for me yet.

Now one of the hidden gems in a thrift store is the bedding section. A couple of flannel sheets and you have a very bulky and cheap diaper to pin on.

You wont be able to return the store wearing the diaper because well your pants won't fit over them.

On the other hand it maybe just the excuse to go back and find some bigger pants or a nice mini skirt to cover them up.

I have heard others mention this but have not been to one to take a peek. If I did see plastic backed in my size I would definitely pick them up. I’m sure at a fairly decent price too. Will have to go and see.

Up until Covid-19 I would regularly look around in charity shops for packets of Nappies, never found even one although at one shop I thought I had found a crate of them only to see a helper cutting the tapes and then pulling clothes out of the box 😢 yes I would be embarrassed but my need is greater than worrying about a bit of embarrassment!

I have gone to thrift stores many times over the years looking for buys on adult diapers. I have never been embarrassed but them either. I just bought some yesterday some pull ups and a package of plastic backed ones. A few weeks ago bought some bariatric ones bigger than my waist but i could not pass up the $3 a package bought 4 packages with 10 diapers in each. Met a lady in a thrift store who just dropped off a case size large/xlarge my size. She went back to the drop off and retrieved the case and gave them to me for free i had 72 diapers. She could tell and here that i had on my diaper and noisy plastic pants as i walked with her. We talked after she gave me the case. I thanked her and we said our goodbyes.

Check out estate sales. When an elderly person passes away, often they will have them left over. I've never done this (I don't wear usually wear disposable diapers and almost never the “adult” ones) but I did have a friend whose father got them with Medicare but didn't use nearly as many as they sent. When he died he had about five cases (BIG boxes) of them left over. They ended up donating them to a nursing home.

Check out estate sales. When an elderly person passes away, often they will have them left over. I've never done this (I don't wear usually wear disposable diapers and almost never the “adult” ones) but I did have a friend whose father got them with Medicare but didn't use nearly as many as they sent. When he died he had about five cases (BIG boxes) of them left over. They ended up donating them to a nursing home.

My sister donated alot of my dad's leftover items, not adult diapers. It is better than them just being thrown in the trash.

I love the thrill of looking to see what I can find. Usually the prices are great and it's interesting to see the variety of types. Definitely lots of great finds so far, including Sunkiss, Abena, even a sample of a Northshore once! I found 2 bags of Abena L4 Slip for $5 each today.

I have looked a number of times and have never found anything at thrift stores. If the deal was good enough I doubt I would be embarrassed as I have reached the age that it would not be unusual to purchase.

Every few weeks, I dedicate my free Friday to drive a (planned) route which takes me passed thrift stores. I love walking around and see the huge variety of items for sale. Some for absolute great prices. Being an (AB)DL, I also keep a sharp eye out for nappies. But sadly, except for once, I never really come across any. I often read about American friends coming across diaper treasures in the thrift stores there.