I have found very pricy stuff that I would never buy new full price...classic Kitchenaid stand mixer, Cuisinart food processor, pricy Cuisinart toaster.

They're a great place to find yourself a classic cast iron skillet...

I found a small enameled roasting pan for $0.99 at a thrift shop. It's just the right size for roasting potatoes or veggies. I buy specialty cake pans and cookie cutters when I find them, too. New cake pans can be over $25, but I don't think I've ever paid more than $3 for one secondhand.

I LOVE kitchen gadgets, yet hate buying them new, because really, how often do you use some of the funkier ones? (but when you want them, it's SO good to have them, ha!)

I found a Rabbit wine opener for $5 a year or two ago, before I knew how expensive they were! (new in box, score!)

My greatest find, though, was a Francis!Francis! brand handmade Italian espresso machine, bright orange, for $25. Retail? Around $700-800.
It was one of those things where you had to KNOW what it was, to really snatch it up (although it LOOKS like a piece of art!). I literally RAN across the store and grabbed it up.

Looks like this, if you're curious (or ever see one): www.espressocoffeeshop.com/jpg/...e.jpg

BEST ESPRESSO EVER.

I went to a rummage sale that is held by a local women's organization about three years ago. There was a set of old nasty set of silverware for sale for $5.00. But the beauty of it was that there was an initial on all of the pieces that was the same as the initial of my last name. So I bought it. Stopped at Wal-Mart on the way home and bought some silver polish and now have a lovely set of silverware.

I found a bread machine at a yard sale that had only been used a couple times. It was clean and in the original box with the instruction. It worked great for 2 or 3 years and it caught my kitchen on fire. *sigh* I love fresh bread.