Charity shops

lauren_1

Hi, Im a charity shop addict.

And im a bad one.

I cant help but buy everything i see in the charity shops, most is usefull but some really isnt, take today for instance, £5 for a purple pair of DM's...4 sizes too small for me but my DD is getting near that size.

She's 9 and really isnt in to her mothers retro punk.

Maybe i could paint some flowers on them to sway her in to wearing them, lol

Bronnie

If you bought them for personal use and they are not suitable then ebay is your friend:D

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Size-5-purple-shimmer-Dr-Martens-8-hole-boots-/220592900682?cmd=ViewItem&pt=Women_s_Shoes&hash=item335c5c8a4a#ht_500wt_1182

zippychick

Hi Lauren:hello:

I heart charity shops! My recent purchase was a navy military style jacket for £6 :j My weakness is the kitchen section - always looking out for little things! A few months ago i got the most gorgeous genuine italian spaghetti bowls with italian recipes. ! They are so gorgeous. Oh, and my table and chairs was a steal!

It seems a lot of OSers have the charity shop bug - there is an older thread about charity shops, so I'll add your thread to that one later on.

Thanks:)
Zip

PS - is it wrong that I would wear those DMs?:rotfl:

hermum

Love the dm's I also get very carried away in charity shops. I go through little obsessions, for a while i can't walk past one without buying curtains, next bedding, etc.
My worse buy was a pair of brand new springers red court shoes, oh and a matching pair in black. Lovely shoes I admit, however I don't think that I've ever worn court shoes in my life or red shoes since I was about 8 years old, they were lovely from Miss Curtiss & cost 50p. Actually the same price as these 2 pairs.
I now have 3 blanket boxes stuffed full of lovely treasures that never sees the light of day.
Maybe one day.
At the moment I particularly like vintage linen, especially tray cloths, guess I'd better buy some trays.

lauren_1

Bed spreads, obscure t-shirts, jeans and boots.
Anything that i can dye or customise (thats my excuse)
DM's hidden in my shoe closet so i can claim i've had them since my teens.

[Deleted User]

I'm dreadful for books as if I haven't got more than enough in my house already.I even bought some on holiday and also some new ones from Blackwells in Oxford as I could easily spend a fortune on new books

Paulie'sGirl

Hi all,

Like JackieO I have a serious charity-shop book addiction. Its a complusions. I can't seem to stop it. Particularly when we go camping and wander round new towns, we always struggle back to the car under the weight of a dozen "new to me" books.

I suppose its cheaper than buying them, and our local library service is very poor. I hoard them too, which is terrible, really. We're on our third bookcase now, and they're nearly all mine. (I'm only 25, but been a bookworm since my mum taught me to read age 3ish)

I read them over and over again though, I'm not a "one read and I'm done" person. I justify this to myself as value for money!

I do wish more children were as addicted to books as the older generations. My brother wont sit and read a book if you paid him, neither with OH's boys. So sad, there's such pleasure in reading.

We're camping this weekend, so doubtless I'll come home with more on Monday!

PGxx

greengoblin

In my local towns Age Concern and PDSA are by far the cheapest and the best. Paperbacks usually 29p - 99p and not much more for non-fiction or audio books.
Age Concern is good as although it is a national charity, money made in your area stays in your area. All my donations go there.

Trinny

Hello All

Our nearest town is in a well to do area and has 7 well stocked charity shops. This means that you can get top class clothing for no more than a fiver. I often find items with the original shop tag on them - being sold for £3.99 etc. I realise that not everything is a bargain - but am continually staggered at the new stuff people give away. Last Christmas i got a 100ml bottle of Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers perfume, still in its original box and still full for £5. OH got a stove top italian coffee maker in its original box - normally £25 for a smaller one - ours cost just £4

The key for us - is to check the stores out often - we know the manageress of one of the stores and she saved wine making kit - beer brewing kit and demijohns for us because she knew OH makes HM beer and wine.

the other tip - is to choose posh areas when looking in charity shops, apart from underwear and socks, i rarely need to buy any clothing new these days.

They are a treasure trove - but not as cheap as carboots or jumble sales.

Trin

BitterAndTwisted

Trinny wrote: »

the other tip - is to choose posh areas when looking in charity shops, apart from underwear and socks, I rarely need to buy any clothing new these days.Trin

That's my strategy when looking for smart clothes for work. I've picked up some lovely wool and cashmere jackets for a fiver just by getting on the London Underground and going a couple of stops. There's a great Salvation Army shop very near Oxford Circus which seems to acquire stock, presumably samples, from the neighbouring women's magazines although they are generally size 8 and 10. Plus they often have fantastic-quality curtains which I'm assuming are donated by the local, wealthy residents, so often well-worth the fiver to get there and back. There used to be a great one at Notting Hill as well although I haven't had a chance to go there for some time now.