Charity shops - do you or don't you?

Floss

As some may already know, I am an avid charity shopper but I've been wondering about all the other folks out there.....

Do you feel the urge to rummage when you spot a charity shop?
Do you admit to your bargains or keep the info to yourself?
Do you run a mile when anyone says the words?
Or are you a self-confessed, charity-shopaholic?

And do you have any recommendations for your local areas?

The Lancashire coastal resort wher I spend most of my time has more than it's fair share of shops within a 10 mile radius....I find the BHF shops in the "retirement" and slightly posher places are pretty good, also there is an independent shop in the posher area along the coast which is quite good too. When I lived in the leafy Cheshire suburbs I used to frequent the local hospice shops, and Help the Aged in the more upmarket bit of the town...

ellawood

used to run a mile rather than go in but now call all the time in my area the shops in town can be expensive so I like going other areas which are cheaper on the whole.
It can take time to look though but I do like a bargain and I never tell if its for me to wear but for dd2 she has some really pretty dresses that cost no more than 1.50 but look really expensive I did tell one friend and she said she would go looking as they were really good and also I do like to feel that its helping the charity to I sometimes say keep the change and things like that

prowla

The problem is that you don't tend to find bargains in charity shops any more; Oxfam have turned it into a business (and apparently a lot of the money you pay goes to staffing & overheads rather than the deserving cause).

Mandles

prowla wrote: »

The problem is that you don't tend to find bargains in charity shops any more; Oxfam have turned it into a business (and apparently a lot of the money you pay goes to staffing & overheads rather than the deserving cause).

I know, it puts me off when charity shops get like that. Sadly i rarely go into the cancer research shop anymore as i have even seen secondhand stuff priced the same price that i know the item was when it was new!!:eek: A lot of the prices are quite expensive for secondhand i think....i'd rather go to a car boot.

goanmad

Floss wrote: »

As some may already know, I am an avid charity shopper but I've been wondering about all the other folks out there.....

Do you feel the urge to rummage when you spot a charity shop?
Do you admit to your bargains or keep the info to yourself?
Do you run a mile when anyone says the words?
Or are you a self-confessed, charity-shopaholic?

And do you have any recommendations for your local areas?

1. Yes!
2. Always!
3. Are you mad?
4. Yes!!!!!!

I was brought up to shop in Charity Shops and jumble sales.

Although comparatively comfortably-off my parents have always been thrifty. My mum always told me that it was better to dress differently than to blend in with the crowd and despite a lot of teasing I when I was younger about my crazy wardrobe I love my individuality now. I can't stand high-street shopping, it's so soulless and dull (and expensive).

My friends and I have a chazza day once a month, visiting a different town, exploring the charity shops and having lunch in a Wetherspoons.

I can't really recommend certain areas as everyone looks for different things. I love a shop which puts everything out, scraps of fabric, make-up, old magazines, etc., whilst others prefer designer or high street labels

busiscoming2

I have always looked and bought some items in charity shops, but have to say there seems to be less bargains to be had more recently. I wonder if they sort them and sell some on ebay and the likes.
Something I have noticed: Why do some charity shops have that horrible 'old' clothes smell, whilst others don't?

DianneB

Love charity shops, can't walk past one but I don't really buy that much from them!! got a nice skirt for me this month £1.99 only a Tu one but very summery. Buy ALL of my OH work shirts in CS get far nicer ones than I would buy new for about £4. I just wash and iron them and hang them in the wardrobe after many years he has only just cottoned on to this as a brought him a casual shirt when he was with me (Blazer £2 brand new)! He only has two more years at work so I will keep it up!

robin_banks

I sit here in an Abercrombie and Fitch shirt and Gap jeans both bought from charity shops for the total of £10.00.

I also have a Ralph Lauren, Marc Jacobs, 2 Lacoste shirts and a pair of Stone Island jeans.

Mrs B has a pair of citizens of humanity (uber expensive) jeans amongst other things.

Most of our kids stuff is also charity shop bought. Though as they get older i.e. 3+ this will get harder.

david39

I don't understand the argument of I won't go into XXX charity shops because they have large numbers of staff and high overheads.

Surely, the object of a charity shop is to raise money for the charity and, if they can raise more money by having attractive shops and by staffing them well, then they are fulfilling their objective.

Maybe a larger proportion of the money you hand over the counter does go towards covering those costs, but the total money raised through the shop and reaching the charity will be higher than if they had dowdy premises, staffed by people who did not know how to run a business.

Now, the argument about not using a charity shop because of what the charity does with the money after it is raised is a completely different subject ........

~*Plushroom*~

Do you feel the urge to rummage when you spot a charity shop?
YES!

Do you admit to your bargains or keep the info to yourself?
YES! Because that will encourage more people to use them and thus to donate to them instead of throwing things away.

Do you run a mile when anyone says the words?
NO!

Or are you a self-confessed, charity-shopaholic?
YES!!

I love charity chops and always have, that and car boot sales (I LOVE the one at Amwell in Essex/Herts). I have bought so many great things at charity shops - especially clothing. I have a thing for vintage and quirky stuff being rather goth, so it is an excellent and low cost place to look.

I'd much rather pay the lower prices at my charity shop and know the money is going to something good than in a regular store. Of course you can't get everything you want and it is dependant on being at the right place at the right time, but it's worth it. I've gotten a lovely Parker 51 pen there for 50p (I had been looking at them on eBay and it was closer to £50+ for one), lots of dvds, a gorgeous print of the original movie poster for Casablanca, and a lovely fushcia silk dress that still had the tags on for £5 (It was originally £55).

I've also converted my American OH to charity shopping, he'd never seen places like this before and now he'll rummage too!

tara747

I adore charity shops and live in a posh area so the quality of clothes is amazing! I get Benetton, Hobbs, Gap etc clothes with the tags still on sometimes, woo hoo.....