Charity shops

tiff

I agree, most of my friends homes scream Ikea or Argos lol I think my house looks interesting and when people come in they always ask where do you get this or that. Standard answer - Charity shop lol

bohemia

I too am addicted to charity shops and have been for years. I only buy good quality clothing and they last forever! I get such a thrill from finding nice clothes in my size. Sometimes I redonate clothes after wearing them for years and they still look good! Although I have finally had to stop wearing a pair of M&S pyjamas bought from the Red Cross in 2006 as the waist band wore right through!

kitschkitty

I love charity shops, ebay, fetes etc. I even used to moderate our local freecycle (till the membership got too greedy and annoying)! lol

There are so many reasons I love "new to you" stuff.

It's cheaper.
It's more ecological (I hate the idea of good stuff being chucked away or cheap stuff being mass produced and not designed to last).
There's so much choice, I love discovering vintage and antique styles and learning more about design.
Often you can get "new" things that other people just haven't wanted, at a fraction of the cost.
Some "vintage" stuff just has more personality/character (like my lovely old wooden desk).
It can sometimes even be an easier and quicker way to shop, like when we moved out of one rented place and bought loads of furniture off of the landlady, or when I got a near new double bed delivered from a lovely bloke on ebay (and at a bargain price).
I like the entertainment value of looking through everything and the excitement of finding somewhere with lots of opportunities for bagging bargains.
I love the satisfaction of finding a really good bargain, or finally finding something you have wanted for ages like the book I bought for hubby the other day for just 50p (looked brand spanking new) that was on our amazon wish list for £8.
I like supporting charities through CS and organisations through fetes etc.
I like how you have more choice and unique and individual stuff than shopping on the high street.

I think at least 50% of our belongings were not bought new. There isn't a room in the house that doesn't have 2nd hand furniture as well as new in it, and I reckon everyday I use or wear things that are 2nd hand it's so much part of my lifestyle. I would actually resent not being able/allowed to buy/get/use stuff that is 2nd hand.

fuzzymoneymonster

I love charity shop shopping and buying from car boot sales and second hand shops.
Every item of clothing that I now own comes from either the car boot or the charity shiop. I love adding up the cost of my total outfit and it coming in at under a fiver!

I buy lots of my furniture second hand too - it is actually out of neccessity but I really love the thrill of finding that ultimate bargain.

I usually have an idea of something that I really want in my mind and it can takes years finding just the right thing - but the search and the thrill of the chase is great and I can also feel a bit good about the fact that I am saving something that may have otherwise have been dumped.

lola34

tiff wrote: »

Yes, I've looked for both my son and husband and havent bought anything for them yet. Looking for tracksuit bottoms and jeans for my son but he is 30w 30l and my husband is 34r which is a common size. I think men dont throw out their clothes as often as women so are more worn when they get to the charity shop.

I agree with with my DH has tshirts that I iron and have small holes in but can't possibly throw them away as he will still wear them ( you can't see the holes when he wears them) or they go in the garage pile, though the other day I did clear out a few pairs of shorts/ tops he had worn the shorts were sports one though that I wore during my first pregnancy 12 years ago:eek:

rhiwfield

I think that more and more people are happy to buy pre owned items items and, probably as a result, secondhand furniture has increased in price over the last year or so.

I buy in stuff to sell at car boots (yes, its addictive to sell as well!) but sometimes have a struggle to get a reasonable price when many buyers seem to want not only a bargain but a steal as well. And while there are a small minority of buyers who haggle aggressively/unpleasantly, there are also some who are polite. I sold a nice antique to a dealer at a very good price (for him!) had a chat at how it was made, shook hands and wished each other well. Didnt quite make up for the rude woman who.............ah, best not tell that story

OrkneyStar

tiff wrote: »

Just wondered if anyone else was the same as me. I've always like charity shops and bought bits and pieces over the years, mainly kitchen stuff but recently started volunteering in a charity shop and now seem to be obsessed with buying secondhand.

So my recent buys are a pair of Next girls jeans (11-12) and girls Debenhams jeans for £1.50 each, a pair of smart trousers for me for £2.49 and some cargo type trousers for dd for camp for £2 although they are so nice that she wants to wear them all the time.

When my kids were younger I was tempted to buy second hand stuff but my Mum always used to say we werent that poor and she bought us a fair bit off stuff too. Now that its kind of more popular to buy secondhand and recycle she hasnt commented lol

I love charity shops- cheaper, recycling, fun to browse and see what you find! Certain things need to be new though lol, iyswim!

ETA I got so many of DS clothes in charity shops when he was a bubba and even still get some things now, he's 4! Cannot remember who said about holiday clothes but when we were staying with mum recently and she was complimenting my outfits, I kept having to say 'yep more charity shop bargains'-- at least one day it was only pants, bra and socks new bought, clothes all charity shop pre-loved and shoes brand new from charity shop (M and S footglove!).

Luciferswench

Most of the baby clothes i bought for mine came from charity shops for all 3 and re-donated either to cs or friends expecting, once outgrown.
Most of my books come from cs i like the idea of supporting charities without the pressure of a monthly donation and i dont have to be charity loyal.

Starstream

I make a list of things I want or need and keep it in my purse,so when passing charity shops or going to boot sales( I am addicted to them) I don't inadvertently miss something,and kick myself afterwards.

I have yet to find anything which I have wanted or needed that does not turn up at a bootsale,except a winning lottery ticket,of course;)

I know everyone has to make a living,but I do try to avoid the larger chains of charity shops,where the prices are so inflated and the shops are fitted out like an expensive chain,and love finding the smaller more independent ones. In these you can find some terrific bargains.

Even since the recession has bitten,I still find it amazing what people discard,or feel needs replacing??

Hobsons_Choice

Is the wonderful lady from Stourbridge who donates her unworn M&S clothes to one of the local charity shops, using this board? (Unlikely). Still, she's the same size as me and I just wanted to say "I love you baby!!!"