THERE’S no better feeling than getting your hands on a good-quality item – without paying full price for it.
And with online platforms like eBay, Amazon, and Vinted, bargain hunters are now more equipped than ever to snag designer items for a fraction of their original cost.
Olivia Gilcher had purchased the bag of 8lbs of old jewellery for $65 (£50) online[/caption]
Even better, there’s such a thing as Mystery Boxes, which can be purchased from a variety of retailers.
A Mystery Box is essentially a package filled with unknown items – you won’t know what’s inside until you open it.
It’s like giving yourself a surprise gift, where you pay a set price and receive a selection of random items curated by the seller.
One woman, however, was left stunned after purchasing a budget mystery bundle of goods on Facebook and discovering a designer watch worth thousands of pounds inside.
Thrifty Olivia Gilcher had bought a bag containing 8lbs of old jewellery for $65 (£50) online, with no idea of the treasures she was about to uncover.
Upon opening the bag, she was astonished to find her “dream” watch – a 1980s Gucci design featuring a gold bangle and green accents.
She estimates the watch would retail for up to $2,900 (£2,255) today.
“At first, I didn’t believe it was real,” Olivia, a student from Detroit, US, told What’s The Jam.
“But thanks to my experience working at a luxury watch company, I knew what to look for.
“I examined the engraved logo, SKU number, and overall construction, and everything checked out.
“Even then, I still couldn’t believe it, so I opened the back of the watch to check the movement, and that confirmed its authenticity.”
Upon inspecting the watch further, Olivia identified it as a Gucci change bezel 1100L from the late 1980s – a collector’s item.
She explained: “The retail price in the late 1980s was between $500 (£388) and $1,000 (£776) – that would be equivalent to approximately $1,493 (£1,159) to $2,985 (£2,317) in 2025, adjusted for inflation.”
Despite her excitement, Olivia decided not to keep the watch for herself and has since listed it online for $550 (£427).
She was left surprised after discovering she had a Gucci box in her mystery box[/caption]
She estimates that it would retail at up to $2,900 (£2,255) nowadays[/caption]
Olivia discovered it was a Gucci change bezel 1100L from the late 1980s and a collector’s item[/caption]
She said: “This watch is truly a dream piece for me, something I’ve wanted for years.
“But at the same time, as a college student, extra income is always tempting.
“I tried it on, and it was a little tight – that felt like my sign that I should let it go.
“My logic is: If I can’t stop thinking about it, I’ll buy one for myself in the future.”
Each bag is filled with unique finds, and my goal is to ensure that every piece is appreciated rather than discarded
Olivia Gilcher
Olivia’s fascination with mystery bundles began when she spotted them for sale at her local thrift store.
She now frequently purchases bundles and sells any standout pieces she discovers.
She added: “I don’t actually make much of a profit from selling jewellery – it’s more of a passion project and a way to promote sustainability by giving these pieces a second life.
“Over time, I’ve collected way too much jewellery, so I started reselling mystery jewellery bags to share the experience with others.
“Each bag is filled with unique finds, and my goal is to ensure that every piece is appreciated rather than discarded.”
Where to find mystery boxes
MYSTERY boxes are becoming more and more popular, with people keen to take a gamble in buying one. But where can you get one from?
Charity shops
Lots of charity shops have started putting together mystery boxes as a way to get rid of stock that they’ve been otherwise unable to sell. While you can never guarantee what you’re going to get, these boxes are usually cheaper than ones bought elsewhere.
eBay
Many retailers use eBay to sell their stock, with options on the auction site including unclaimed luggage or parcel returns, all put together in a mystery box. It’s not like a normal ‘auction’ though – there will usually be a buy it now price so it’s just like any other internet transaction.
Online retailers
As the popularity of mystery boxes increases, other retailers have started selling them in the hope that they will be a hit among customers. Have a look on sites such as Amazon, Etsy and Wowcher, and you’ll often find the mystery boxes are listed by genre too.
If there’s a particular niche mystery box you’re looking for, it’s always worth searching for it. There are so many websites out there selling mystery boxes, you’ll undoubtedly find what you’re after.
As with buying anything online, make sure you are purchasing from a trusted retailer and a secure website.
