Charity shops

jcr16

i always head to books first. my boys love dinosaur books and diggers/trucks. i not been to a chairty shop in over a year, but when i last went i got a fab in the night garden dressing gown for my little boy for 50p. very chuffed with that.

Penelope_Penguin

Clothes, craft items, sometimes books and kitchen ware I now buy all my clothes from CSs, and haven;t bought new for a few years now.

As this has fallen from the front page of OS, I'll add it to the existing thread.

scotsaver

I love Charity Shops - usually look for Kitchen stuff, cookbooks (got HFW Family Cookbook last week for £1, rrp £20), books and baskets as I like to make Hampers of Jams/chutneys etc as pressies. I love them as you just never know what you are going to find.;)

izzydogsam

I lurve charity shops but OH can't stand them! I always go for the clothes first. I've had some brilliant stuff from my local Mind charity shop - Hobbs skirts, Monsoon tops, Fenn Wright Manson trousers - flipping marvellous. I might go in five times for every one time I get something good, but I really enjoy looking round for a bargain. When you get something wonderful for about £3 it's a joy! :j

I'm on a tight budget to pay off my debts so it's good for my bank balance, keeps me feeling like I've had a treat despite being skint, and keeps me on the straight and narrow! Being able to help out a charity too is an added bonus for me.

valentina

Books, then records.

Living_proof

Rather frustratingly at the moment I need nothing, but it doesn't stop me looking. I hardly ever buy anything new and take my time looking for anything needed. It's rare for anything to be so urgent that it can't wait a week or two for something suitable to turn up at a CS or CBS. I have noticed in the last year or so that the quality of items for sale has declined and the prices have risen to the point that I would rather buy new if it is a t-shirt or lightweight cheap item. I quite understand that charities have targets but often they have so much stuff in the 'back room' that they have to clear their stock for next to nothing in order to move out the new stuff. Why just not make it all a bargain price to start with and they can then turn over the stock more quickly. Books are often quite ridiculously priced compared to car boot sales.

kitschkitty

sparrer wrote: »

Linens first, then books, bags, junk jewellery, clothes. Never go for shoes, am a size 3 so they never seem to come up and don't really like the idea of wearing second hand ones anyway.

If I ever look at shoes I always check the soles and insoles very carefully to check they're not worn. Round here I have found quite a lot of pairs (and slippers) are brand new, but I think I've only ever bought one pair myself - brand new black leather sandals still with the tag on for just a few quid.

sarah*a

Living_proof wrote: »

Books are often quite ridiculously priced compared to car boot sales.

We have 6 Charity shops on our tiny high street and the book prices go from 'any 4 for £1' to upwards of £2.50 - and for the same book!

I tend to go books, bric-a-brac, bags (all the B's :rotfl:) and if I need a particular item of clothing I'll have a look but there tends to be nothing in my size . OH got a brand new pair of Doc Marten Boots just before xmas so the shoes get a look too if we need any.

nykied

I got a gorgeous M&S jumper in one CS at the end of last year, no tags on but obviously brand new, for £2! It's not very often I find clothes that I like though. The small sizes seem to be quite sparse, so when I see something I like, I snap it up!

Ches

I am so glad that I found this thread as I have been dying to tell someone about my 2 latest bargains and my friends look down their noses at CS so I keep it quiet from them. I found a new looking Gerry Webber casual coat and a new looking Betty Barclay handbag in the same CS on the same day, total cost £20.