Charity shops - do you or don't you?

Pee

I love charity shops for books, but find hunting through clothes for something my size is usually unsuccessful and agree there seems to have been a def increase in prices recently.

They probably needed to put prices up a bit, I often used to overpay as they were charging 20p for books I would happily pay £2.50 for and so losing that potential income.

The Oxfam near me has a very bossy woman telling other staff what to do and to be honest she irritates me so I avoid that one, think it's tenofus that have really nice friendily staff, and the Cat's protection, you think you'll never get out of there!!!

glowgirl_2

Charity shops are great, I would nearly always choose second hand designer over new cheap, they are a goldmine if you know your labels(knowledge is power) and can get to a posh area, car boots are great as well.

tmlibrary

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?

Yes I always have to rummage when I sopt a charity shop, can't walk passed one without going in. I usually find something to buy, we even have days out and spend it charity shop bargain hunting. I spent a lovely day in Brighton a few months ago and found loads of bargains

I sometimes admit to my bargains

My best bargain was a Alexander McQueen dress from the Heart Foundation shop in Oxford for £4.99. I feel in love with it, but sadly it doesn't fit (so I will eventually put it on ebay) or I could try and lose some weight to get it on!

FelinePrincess

I must admit I only ever go into charity shops to donate my old clothes. Where I live the standard of clothes they have is quite poor, it always seems to be old people clothes or really cheap brands. Also I hate it when clothes are all jumbled up- I can't be bothered looking the sales racks in any shops.

I'm happy to wear second hand clothes - growing up all I ever had was second hand I just wish we had some charity shops locally that sold nice brands all arranged tidy!

Feline Princess

frugallass

I get all my books from charity shops - PDSA are the cheapest by far and Cancer Research are the most expensive (in my area anyway).

I rarely buy clothes but I do look on the rails and occasionally see something I like.

I have bought some nice silk scarves and hubby has bought a few jackets etc.

There are 6 charity shops in our relatively small town and another one due to open soon.

Pennylane

I've shopped in charity shops for years and still do. I like quite "individual" stuff and often find great bargains.

My clothes/shoes budget is probably quite different to most peoples. I hate cheap shoes and most cheap clothes. I LOVE shoes/boots and will spend a fortune on these and always buy brand new. Likewise bags I will spend plenty on, if I really love them. I have bags and shoes which I've had for years and they have been worth every penny.

I look for expensive labels in charity shops and have had trousers/jeans for a few quid which would have cost £75+ new. Basler, Gardeur and Gerry Weber are so well cut and seem to suit me.

I have had some very nice "evening" stuff and because I don't go out to that many posh "dos" I would not buy brand new, so charity shops fit the bill.

Pennylane

I also buy nearly all my books from charity shops, knitting wool (although this is getting harder to find because so many people are trying it now), I like beautiful old linen and cloths and the odd ornament.

verynewmoneysaver

I do buy a lot from charity shops, and can rarely pass one without going in for a look! Have got some really nice clothes from them, and some that I've sent back after wearing a few times. I nearly always get my handbags from them as they often have nice leather ones. I think charity shops are very popular nowadays as ours are often crowded so you have to be lucky to find nice stuff. My sister however refuses even to look in them and can't understand my addiction!

Nordictat2

My Mom used to love charity shops and after a while the ladies there would hold stuff for her because they knew the stuff she liked and she always spent alot of money in there..bless her. I visit from time to time but I'm to the point where I should be donating rather than buying hehe..or so my husband says :P

katieclampet

I love a good rummage, but sadly the cs where I live arent very good, although they used to be. I dont know if its because more people are selling their stuff rather than donating it, or more pople are shopping in cs, or maybe a bit of both.
The books in our local oxfam are very expensive, and some of the shops do have that "old clothes, musty" smell. If I am visiting different towns I always have a look. I seem to get much better bargains at carboot sales.


katiex