What is your charity shop bargain of the week?

hollydays

TravellingAbuela wrote: »

I got a lovely pale blue Italian silk scarf for £1.50. But dithered over some Morland sheepskin boots, just my size and looked almost new, but refuse to pay £25 for second-hand! Even though brand new they would have been a heck of a lot more! The charity shops in Ilkley are pricing themselves out these days and seem far less busy than they used to be. A shame as the charities themselves must be suffering because of it.

Moorland boot

http://www.morlandssheepskin.co.uk/products/ladies-sheepskin-boots

£25 was a bargain

Beenie

I have to say that I too feel iffy about people clearing out the good stuff from charity shops to sell on via Ebay or whatever. I see it all the time - women who are clearly not the size they are buying, going through the entire rails from size 8-20, sometimes taking armsful of clothes of different sizes. They are checking things on their mobiles too (I guess prices/re-sale values). Having said all that, it can't be stopped and I suppose times are hard and maybe people need the money. However, and please don't shout at me, but it seems a bit greedy imo.

My good buys this week are a Nigella book (Feast) for £1.99 and a small leather Longchamps purse for £2.00.

empressemma

Really trying not to spend much this month, but can't resist a little look round the chazza shops!
Pretty vintage look cotton new look top £2.50
Wooden decorative heart 75p
Both from nomad trust

Today, off the famous 50p rail at my local shop...
Warehouse 'peasant' top
White with black polka dots shirt, perfect for work
Silver and black vintage dress for a friend
Thomas Nash Tie for hubby 20p
Grand total £1.70 - gave them £2, you feel bad sometimes as things are so cheap!!

Mrs_Ryan

I've found a new gem of a shop alongside my fave Cancer Research shop in West Bridgford- the Sense shop in Coalville. There's some absolute gems in there, I saw a few designer things at stupidly cheap prices but I couldn't justify them as my wardrobes are already crammed to bursting and I would feel too guilty about buying to sell on.
I did however pick up this- http://www.designermall.co.uk/product/BC-London-Bayswater-T-shirt.html in black for £1.95; (worth £15) and a grey Pineapple Dance from Debenhams t-shirt with a green print that I remember seeing in Debenhams and it was also £15 new for the same price- £1.95 and both in nice condition. I love Pineapple stuff and I've got quite a lot of it but I refuse to pay full price for it- the top was sticking out the rail so I think it was calling me

Chris25

I got 9 off-white pillowcases, either egyptian cotton or percale 250 thread count - all at 25p each. I always use 2 slips per pillow as my husband & 1 child are asthmatic - really pleased!

paulineb_2

A duffel coat for 99p, two fleeces 99p each, dress 99p and 4 books for 99p all from my local barnados. I wont shop in any other charity shop now.

Artytarty

Argh! Pauline! that's so unfair! I paid £1.99 for a sodding paperback in my Barnardos today! It's insane.

sniffles

floss2 wrote: »

From reading this thread since it started, there seems to be an increase in people buying from CS and then selling on for profit.

Am I the only person who has a slightly iffy feeling about this?

I understand that this is some peoples' means of income, but how do people feel about the CS who could be selling the same items for similar ampounts to help their work?

As your post appeared after mine I wondered if you thought I might be this sort of person. I am not, and have been collecting art deco for over 30 years. This jug is the very best I have ever acquired.

However, I have noticed a trend in my charity shops of men buying lots of children's toys. Nothing wrong with that, but you sometimes just get a feel about it. I saw several things on gumboot in my local area which confirmed my suspicions.

Is it right or wrong? I don't know to be honest. I suppose some people boost their income that way.

Bogof_Babe

paulineb wrote: »

A duffel coat for 99p, two fleeces 99p each, dress 99p and 4 books for 99p all from my local barnados. I wont shop in any other charity shop now.

Our Barnardos did "all clothes 99p" for several weeks before they shut down, apparently due to the lease on the shop being too expensive to renew .

Hope yours isn't going the same way, but I'd advise you to fill yer boots while you can!

kboss2010

floss2 wrote: »

From reading this thread since it started, there seems to be an increase in people buying from CS and then selling on for profit.

Am I the only person who has a slightly iffy feeling about this?

I understand that this is some peoples' means of income, but how do people feel about the CS who could be selling the same items for similar ampounts to help their work?

I'm not an uncharitable person but I buy from charity shops out of necessity rather than choice. Also, most large charities are money-making machines and how much of their profit actually goes towards the cause directly? The CEOs are usually earning pretty great sums, no charity is completely altruistic.

If a person buys from a charity shop and sells on then I would assume it is because they need the money to live, it's not exactly an easy way to make a regular income. The charity is getting the price on the tag and someone else in need is benefitting too. It also stops things from going to landfill.

In my eyes, it's a win/win/win, but I appreciate that some would say that those who can't afford to buy items at full price are being disadvantaged.