My area is an upper/middle class area so the local “thrift” stores have always pushed (liquidated) name-brand stuff.
Now if you wanted generic brand crap, theres the local recycling centers and the signs say not to scavenge but if you don’t mind the black vertical lines on your 40+” flat-screen Sony TV screen, well… is it scavenging if you pay the recycling center employee to turn a blind eye?
Not at all, to me its just a regional thing.