Charity shop tips for newbie?

ellay864

I work in Alderley and one of my colleagues used to do a weekly trip to the charity shops and get some real bargains but you do have to be careful and follow the advice given in other posts. Wilmslow and Knutsford were also quite good. I used to go to Knutsford regularly when my kids went to Tumble Tots there and it seemed to be less of the young WAGs but a lot more well heeled 'ladies of a certain age' and often more realistic sizes. That was that place I found to get some real bargain classic styles rather than more transient fashion. Just before and just after Christmas were the best times...from about November they seemed to get rid of last seasons party frocks as they bought their new ones, then in January they'd do the new year clear out

rubytuesday

I've started charity shopping again after not bothering for a few years mainly because my local ones were full of tat but they seem to have improved. I would advise you to try things on if you can as although I tend to know what suits me I've tried afew nice things on and they haven't suited me at all and I've also tried things on in my size but they haven't fitted me at all.

mum2one

One tip I would say is always check the label, ifs a dry clean only has a cirlce with a P, if the cirlce with a P has a line underneath it, it means the item has to eb cleaned on a delicate wash, - depending on the materials used some dry cleaners don't have the facilites to do it.

Colour wise - again related to Dry Cleaning, red is the worst colour to get maeks out of, as the cleaners can't use stain remover

Apologies if I sound a killjoy, just that I worked for 3 yrs in a dry cleaners, and I use to feel awful - one lady had a designer dress she had brought it from an outlet but still paid £200 quid for it, she had cut her fingers 0 droplets of blood on the dress, - despite it being cleaned twice, half the marks stayed, dress ruined, had it been blue, brown etc - no problem. xx

jennikitten

If you have time to spare, then putting a few hours in at your local charity shop is a good way to say thanks for the bargains - plus it never hurts to be in with the manager

mcculloch29

My daughter lives in a former mining town and has unearthed some absolute gems in her little local charity shop, it's a local charity so they don't have high-flying managers who can spot designer wear. I have a lovely Monsoon shirt she passed on to me that was off the 25p rail! She donates all her outgrowns from her two children and anything she is tired of.
I've also passed on my virtually new Vine Voice* books from Amazon to her, so some lucky people have got books that have only just hit the bookshelves for almost nothing.

* Books that Amazon have sent me to review - freebies.

Savvy_Sue

mum2one wrote: »

One tip I would say is always check the label, ifs a dry clean only has a cirlce with a P, if the cirlce with a P has a line underneath it, it means the item has to eb cleaned on a delicate wash, - depending on the materials used some dry cleaners don't have the facilites to do it.

however SOME dry clean only items can be washed, and while you probably wouldn't risk it on a full price new garment you might decide that a charity shop bargain can be experimented on. this also applies to tumble drying - even more so IMO.

got-it-spend-it

I love charity shops! I think you need a bit of time, as it is worth trawling quite a few if you have them near you but I really enjoy it.

I tend to pick up labels like Next and M&S rather than proper designer labels, but maybe that's because most of the designer ones are smaller than the 14 that I need :rotfl:. If I see something in a 12 that I really like I'll often buy it, try it and pass it on to my Mum if it doesn't fit as she is a little bit smaller than me! Likewise she will often pass on her size 14 bargains to me if they are a bit loose on her.

I also buy most of my books from charity shops (or car boots) and then I usually donate them back when I've read them. You can also pick up some good recipe books and children's books really cheaply.

maman

I'm fortunate in that our local high street has loads of charity shops. I started using them to buy garments I could adapt for the children for theme days at school. I turned a vintage Laura Ashley 'milkmaid' dress into a super Anne Boleyn outfit by changing the sleeves and bought a faux fur coat as the basis for Cruella. In recent months I've had a lovely Joules jacket and another Per Una one just on the off chance for myself.

The advice I would give to OP is just get in there and browse - regularly!!! They won't hassle you.

Savvy_Sue

at dad's funeral, sis and I were both in charity shop coats!

oldandhappy

I too Love our Charity Shops and not a week passes that I dont browse them. This week 5 little china cats for my GD...she loves them and has to take one to school each day since...50p each..A hand etched painting of a Cat that was a must at £5.00..I felt I robbed them actually and having got my xmas present a new Kenwood Mixer:j I will donate my old model to them that is working but.....tired/ancient...Dianne