What is your charity shop bargain of the week?

Pollycat

Upsidedown_Bear wrote: »

I said to OH that we could do with a butter dish and a few days later spotted one in the charity shop for 60p:money:
Got it home and discovered the reason it was probably in the charity shop - it's too small for a standard block of butter :rotfl:
I have visions of it doing the rounds of the charity shops for months :rotfl::D

You've made my day - this made me laugh out loud. :T

Towser wrote: »

Well I am on a chazzer shop downer.

I saw a lovely John Rocha hoodie for hubby right size nearly brand new perfect everything but £10. At the time I was thinking "youre joking not at that price" that was on Tuesday.

Today I told hubby about it and the reply was "oh you didn't get it?" so I rushed round to the chazzer and of course not there. Hence my downer I think I am addicted to chazzer shopping if it's affecting me this way and always looking for the next bargain hit.

What do you think time to call it a day?

Definitely do NOT call it a day!

Just work on deciding there and then if it really is a bargain.
I base this on what the original price would probably have been.
If I'm not sure if I like the item enough - and that's not usually based on the price - I walk away and if I then decide I do want it I go back and if it's not there, it wasn't meant for me.

I bought a Cath Kidston tote bag the other week from our local hospice shop - perfect for when I visit my sister as I catch 2 buses and like to take a book with me, plus maybe brolly, pashmina, hat, gloves etc as I'm usually out of the house for 12 hours - I had a really good look at it and then noticed a woman hovering close by.
I'm certain she was waiting for me to put it down so she could grab it.
No chance, lady! :rotfl:
That one was a no-brainer. :cool:

Lucy5781

Several M&S/Per Una tops today, all for less than £5.00 each, jumpers, short-sleeve. £10 pair of New Look boots, barely worn.

This was after having a clear out last night and taking twice as much out to donate this morning as I brought home!

kboss2010

janb5 wrote: »

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Were these new items? Sounds a bit weird, but I probably wouldn't buy used bedding / fabric bathroom items. Yes I know it's inconsistent as clothing has contact with the skin....!

I have absolutely no concerns about the bedding. The double duvet cover has already been washed and dried and it is lovely. It is missing a pillow case but that can easily be remedied. It cost me less than I would have had to pay for two pillow cases! It is a very good quality cotton jersey one and I couldn't afford to buy one as good.


Personally I would rather buy good second hand than first hand tat! One of my sons is quite happy with T M Lewin shirts that I can get for him from my favourite CS while the other wouldn't accept it! Each to their own!

Yup! My OH was given about £200-worth of his Dad's barely worn expensive shirts ... which he proceeded to leave on a train! I've spent the past year replacing them from charity shops.

Pollycat

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Did you perform the sniff test in the armpit folds?

Based on this question, I got to wondering what you all check when you're deciding whether to buy someting out of a charity shop.

I usually look at the washing label first.
If it's faded, the item has been washed lots of times and - unless I really loved it - I'd probably reject it. I'm very pleased if the label still has the circular inspection sticker on.

Then I check the inside of the armpits (or crotch if it's trousers) for any staining. :eek:

Then I look downwards at the item to spot any 'bobbling' - my Mum says I'm obsessed with 'bobbling', I'm always saying 'don't buy that, it's too bobbly'.

Then I check the hem to see if it's been shortened.
Although I have to shorten a lot of the dresses I buy, I like to do it from a level (:)) playing field i.e. the manufacturer's level.

Then I turn the item inside out and check for any holes, it's easier to do this from the inside on a patterned item.

And I check for any other alterations - have the straps been shortened? Has it been taken in? etc etc

If the label at the back neck of the garment has been cut out, it puts me off.

It's a wonder I ever get tround to buying anything. :rotfl:

Georgiegirl256

I'm not quite as thorough as that, but probably will be from now on, I'll be checking everything! :rotfl:

I do the usual check armpits, crotch, check there's no marks down the front or the back (once bought DH a shirt and I'd missed a sweat mark on the back! :eek: ) Don't think I've ever performed the sniff test, as I always give things a wash (with Dettol) anyhow before I wear them.

I check that the garment hasn't lost it's shape, because some tops are so stretched out of shape it's unbelievable! Bobbling (of course!), you've got to check for bobbling.

I check there's no buttons missing or zips broken also.

Hobsons_Choice

I also check for bobbling and fading of the label plus any holes or tears. A quick sniff test will usually do for the rest (it's washed and dried outside before wearing).
I also like to go for labels that I wouldn't be able to afford new (Monsoon; White Company etc).

MoaningMyrtle

When looking at goods, which is not often as it is getting harder to find bargains here I do the following:

Check for fading of colours. Check for shrinkage. You often get jumpers that have been incorrectly washed and have felted/shrunk/got shiny and flat. Look at underarm. Look at label by back of neck, quite often these are brown with oxidized grease where they need a thorough wash. Gross eh? Check buttons are all there. Check for alterations. Check inside bags. Check zips. Check for hobbling. I do this very quickly.

Then decide whether it is worth my cash. If I am not sure I hold the item in one hand and imagine the cash in the other hand and decide what I'd rather have. For example a jumper for £5 or the £5 note?

Towser

I'm very pleased if the label still has the circular inspection sticker on.

yes that is what I go for.

Today I am feeling better after my "John Rocha hoodie" non purchase incident and feel like a shark again.

I want to upgrade my handbags and watches so will be on the lookout in the coming weeks. Any good tips apart from leather and working of course?

Pollycat

Towser wrote: »

yes that is what I go for.

Today I am feeling better after my "John Rocha hoodie" non purchase incident and feel like a shark again.

I want to upgrade my handbags and watches so will be on the lookout in the coming weeks. Any good tips apart from leather and working of course?

Go girl! :T

If I were looking for a watch, I'd probably look on ebay.
Likely to be more expensive but you might find a new bargain.

I'm looking at a Citizen Eco-Drive dainty ladies watch 0 bids so far, starting at £44.99 :eek:

I know, MSE-ers - but they retail around £200 and it was only bought in Sept 2015 - and it will never need a new battery.

Arthritis Concern had 4 Kipling bags in last Friday - priced between £8.50 for the small ones and £10.50 for the large one.
But they're not everybody's style.
I've got 2 and they both do my head in - so many pckets and zipped compartments that I can never find anything.

*pinkchick*

I'm always jealous when I hear that people have found super bargains in charity shops as I only ever manage to get into the really busy ones in the town centre where I work, and they're usually cleared of anything good pretty fast!

But yesterday made my month as I found 6 brand new, sealed products from one of my mum's fav brands (that she usually can't justify buying). Retail value is £157 total and I got them for £9.50!

It's all Lulu's Time Bomb brand, I got:
100ml neck cream RRP £50, paid £2
45ml day cream x 2 RRP £56, paid £4
45ml neck cream, RRP £36, paid £2
125ml face wash, RRP £15, paid £1.50

:j so happy as I never get bargains! Makes me want to hunt down some more charity shops! I'll be keeping an eye on this thread too as I enjoy reading about other people's finds!