It's true. You are basically suggesting that Thrift store owners become retail stores, with donations as a source of inventory. The only problem with that is that business model fails. You have competition from Goodwill and Salvation Army, where most donations go. On top of that, you're literally suggesting these "thrift stores" raise their prices and sell items like they aren't a thrift store. People don't want to pay full price for an item at a thrift store. That's a great way to lose customers. I'll pay $7 for a pair of pants, but I won't pay $25 for the same pair of pants that sells for $36 new, for example. So, unless you're a non-profit giving back to the community, failure is inevitable.