What is your charity-shop weakness?

prepareathome

I go into charity shops with an open mind and just see what is there on the day that I might want - my recent bargains are two evening dresses bought in usa by someone had $150 price tag on one from Dressbarn and the other $350 tag but no shop name but the dress is a Laura Ashley and I adore them both, perfect as I have some very dressy events coming up soon. I wouldn't part with them at any price as the Laura Ashley one is a dress style I have wanted for years but always been beyond me. I do keep and eye out for bags as I love them, but using a crutch these days means one that fits over my body is better and by buying them from charity shops usually means I can afford new bags often and have a selection of decent ones. A friend said I should resell my dresses on Ebay and buy something cheaper for going out, but got to admit never sold on there and would not feel right about doing so not without me at least wearing them anyway. I know many people do, but its just not for me.

missychrissy

I babysit my 20 month grandson on Wed and Thurs every week, and as a trip out, I visit all of the local charity shops within walking distance of his home. Today I bought 4 really unusually shaped and heavy champagne glasses for £1 50; one lovely teddy bear for £1 49; 2 Catherine Cookson books for £1; 2 Disney dvds for £6 and a set of 5 children's Lucy M Boston books for £2 50.

I think that amounts to several hours of enjoyment for the price.

slm6002

Generally it is bits for the children - clothes, books, puzzle, learning cd's. I try to keep out unless i have some spare money, but think i could open my own shop with the amount of stuff i have bought and not used!

charlies-aunt

Fellow CS-ers I think I may have scooped the bargain of the day today.... :T

a really lovely, unworn,taupe, Made in Italy, 100% cotton, fine knit tunic in my size by "Dolce & Gabbana" - still with original, authetic logo'ed tags and even a little logo'ed pochet of thread for running repairs ---£3.95!

I'm not a labels fiend but I just couldn't resist! :T

The same shop had a really beautiful, embroidered and beaded, blue floral, like-new "Karen Millen" jumper - also for £3.95 -but it was only a size 10 . . . . but I daresay that some stylish slimster will be a very happy shopper today

bravobeastie

I had a happy charity shop today. Bought my son a lovely thick padded coat, like a big quilt which will be ideal for next winter. I bought my daughter a beautiful peachy/nude coloured vintage style lace dress, myself a few tops and my weakness that I can never resist...vintage costume jewellery! About 10 items altogether for £15! The coat for my son alone would have cost more than that brand new and it looks as though it has had very little (if any) wear

Sequeena

Baby clothes Though now my son is 6 months I am not finding as many nice quality pieces

the.fantastic.mrs.fox

Snow leopard- do you mean like this?
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.278033788886017.70645.118903944799003&type=3#!/photo.php?fbid=306936422662420&set=a.278033788886017.70645.118903944799003&type=3&theater
Hope that works- this is one I made from my charity shop finds

cactuspotty

Books, books and more books!
Old children's books, especially the Dean & Son editions
Shells
Pretty ugly pottery mugs

Planning a charity shop trawl tomorrow!

Tenuse

I'm a sucker for books (like everybody else on this thread, lol!) and also find CS a brilliant place to get jigsaw puzzles, I do them, then either keep them if they're really nice, sell them on ebay or give them back to the CS to resell. Only ever had two jigsaws with pieces missing but I really like being able to get them cheap and then get rid - as my house is already overflowing with STUFF!

Ten x

missychrissy

I think the charity shops are a great source of cheap books for both adults and children. I bought my 21 month grandson several books last week for 49p each including Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the Ugly Duckling, Spot the Dog etc - great value and hours of enjoyment. I read goldilocks 20+ times on the first afternoon.

I have picked up some lovely cuddly toys that don't appear to have ever been used. My grandson loves them and treats them as friends but not all children are interested in them. I had 4 boys but only one liked them. He loved 'Santa Claus the movie' and he would hitch up his larger cuddly toys to his sledge, give them the names of Santa's reindeer and steer them on.

I recently found several knitting magazines in a CS. They had retailed at £4.99 but were priced at £1 - bargain.

I think the key is to 'browse', visit regularly and know the cost of the 'as new' price, as some items, in my experience, can be over priced.