Charity shops

rosy

Sarahsaver wrote:

Lillibet did you not keep any clothes from your first child?

I think it was her first child Lillibet was talking about - her post was from 2005;)

sheng719

I have really been not so keen on charity shops before as I know that they are second hand goods...Since joining MSE I have learnt that not all stuu at the charity shops are second hand and that there would be some that are brand ne and have not been worn ....Looking back then, I am more appreciative now as you do get gfood finds in the charity shops, you just have to be patient and you'll get fruits of you labor. I have recently bought some latest books for about 40-60% cheaper from a new one but in good condition and have managed to make money out of it after reading the book. I have also benifited from the various range of knitting needles that are available for 50-75p. Yesterday, I have been browsing through the local charity shops in the hope that I could buy a good pair of jeans that I could make into a mini denim skirt ad found that back copies of craft magazines are sold for 29p and they are all in good condition. So, I came out with a couple for me to read and probably keep for the sake of the patterns. I also found some good quality knitting wools from 50p - £1. I just proves that charity shops ia an alladins cave for bargains.:p

spiddy100

For baby and maternity clothes it can be worth getting friendly with the charity shop staff, especially for maternity stuff. They often don't put it out on general display as it's a niche market, but will put stuff aside if you say you'll pop in regularly.

I've always found Ebay good for baby clothes, plus we got given *so* much stuff, especially in 3-6 and 6-9 months, there were more clothes than our boys could ever wear!

overlykeensaver

the best places to shop at charity shops are the "well off" towns (maybe you live in one of these already!). I was in Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire a while ago and had a browse for baby things but saw coats from Selfridges, North Face jackets and so on - amazing!

LJM

i enjoy a wander around the charity shops and have found some real bargains for myself and the girls its amazing the stuff you can pick up in them

vik6525

As some of you may know... I live in a maisonnette which is right on top of a charity shop! Everything there is £1, apart from coats which are the oh so expensive price of £2! Im such a regular down there that the lovely old dears keep stuff they think id like! If any of you lot are in Swansea, then pop along... If you're lucky, you can pop up mine for a cuppa too!

ocemeer

I have to admit I love my local charity shop - its a local age concern and brilliant. More so for bits and bobs than clothes (not much fits me), have to admit they tried to charge me £1 for a silver hall marked set of tongs, floorlength cotton curtains a net curtain and a good quality book, oh and a flat cap (i like hats), i paid more. they normally sell 5 books for a pound and hardbacks are 50p.
there is also another great llocal one for the air ambulance, old fashioned and you need to rummage but thats brilliant as well and soo cheap. also sells the best pickled onions in the world. I dont mind paying for homemade stuff (jams etc) from there as its for the air ambulance and its still silly prices and fab.

lil_me

There is 2 where I live, prices vary, some clothing items etc you can buy something new cheaper, books have rocketed in price recently aswell but still not too bad. Managed to get PS1 games for my son last week for £1.

ShirleyPark_2

I think there's 6 or 7 charity shops just down the road from us, every so often we do the rounds generally looking for books. Just after Christmas the BF found a book he'd been after for years that is out of print and selling on ebay for stupid money for 1.50 !! Clothes though don't appear to be that great, plus I don't have any more room in the wardrobe for more clothes, so that's probably a good thing.

larmy16

I am normally clothed head to toe from my charity shop £1 rail (barring underwear and shoes) - it helps that I have my own/no sense of style!

Recently I spotted a brand new BHS jacket for £7.00 and ummed and awed about getting it, and decided I was too mean to part with that amount - lo and behold it was on the £1 rail the following week.

Also a Damart rain jacket with burberry type check lining. Perfect for those rainy days. I agree too about the Primark stuff being priced higher than it originally cost, and its usually saggy and bobbled.

I love charity shops but not the ones who are taking the mick with the prices, after all they are donated goods and surely they should be trying to shift the stuff and not be too greedy. The thing is they are usually manned by volunteers who will all have their own view of a things worth.

There was a woman on Flog it recently who picked up two Burleigh vases for £2 - I think they sold for about £400!