What is your charity shop bargain of the week?

C_J

With apologies for the following huge post!

I hope everyone won't mind me cluttering up the thread with info about Nettlebed - it seems sensible to post it in public instead of sending lots of PMs. It turns out quite a lot of people live within striking distance and would like to give the place a try

The sale dates are listed here


I think you will really enjoy a visit to the Nettlebed sales, it has a lovely atmosphere and the bargains can be amazing. It is very very busy however, so you should aim to get there around 9.00am if possible. I imagine there must be over 1000 cars there most times, so possibly upward of 2-3,000 people.

The sales are advertised as being between 10.30 and 12.30 but this isn't strictly true, as some parts (books, some gardening stuff, sports items, bicycles, art, paintings, picture frames, office goods, the handbag stall and the general bric-a-brac) open at 9.30am.

I usually get there for 9.00am to try and beat the traffic queues and parking chaos, and in true MS style I sit in the car with a flask of coffee and a HM bacon roll people-watching until it all opens. Parking is on grass surrounding the house, and if it has been raining heavily it does get extremely muddy (although the parking attendants will help push cars out if necessary!)

The whole event is very well organised, with each area (stable blocks, outbuildings, garages etc) being dedicated to a different 'department' and there are lots of volunteer staff organising and selling. Books are in a large portakabin, and are helpfully arranged by subject so it's more like browsing a library than a rummage sale. Paperbacks, magazines and maps are on market stalls outside the portakabin (and are very cheap - five for £1 I think).

The biggest queues are for the furniture (dealers turn up with large vans, and they tend to swoop in and buy everything they can get their hands on before anyone else has a chance) and for the clothes barn (including a big wedding dress section which is popular). These all open at 10.30am.

The sheds selling curtains (all hanging up, with labels showing their sizes), the crystal, glassware, kitchenware, material (roll ends from John Lewis galore), craft items, costume jewellery, luggage and hats also open at 10.30 and are very popular (and extremely crowded). You have to be prepared to push and jostle for space a bit but in a way that is all part of the fun! My husband hates it though, and refuses to go as it's too crowded for him.

The records, CDs and computer games are located in the stable yard where the furniture is kept (so you have to fight past the dealers to get to it), along with lighting, lamp shades, TVs and electricals, and children's toys. All electrical items are PAT tested before they are sold.

There is a small plant section too which sells seasonal plants - usually these have been grown from cuttings taken by the estate's head gardener and are all shrubs or perennials. I've had some lovely bargains from there.

There is also a courtyard selling towel, bedding and children's clothes plus a tool shed and a tiny 'antiques and collectables' room selling mostly foreign coins, watches, binoculars, clocks (and things they don't know where else to put!)

It costs 50p to get in, and it's a good idea to pin your entrance ticket to your jacket so it's visible, as the staff who work there need to see it as you enter each different section. Keep your purse safely tucked away as sadly despite it being a charity event there are pickpockets who operate there.

I try and park as near to the house as I can so that I can keep ferrying things back to the car.

There's a small, basic tea room (though I always take a flask), sometimes a pig roast and/or a burger van, and an ice cream van in the summer. There are toilets, but they are in one of the stable yards and a bit cobwebby! Everything is cash only as they don't have the facility for card payments, although I have seen people pay for the more expensive items by cheque (do people still have those??!)

The house isn't signposted but if you travel along with A4130 from Wallingford towards Henley, there is a small roundabout just past the shops and petrol station in the centre of Nettlebed. Turn right at this roundabout onto the B481 and Joyce Grove is almost immediately on your right. (Though I have just realised that coming from London you'll probably approach it from the oppsite direction).

Anyway, I hope that helps. I hope you have fun when you visit

Miró

Oooooh wish I lived near Nettlebed!

From the hospice chazza yesterday I got a BHS, lightweight, 'safari-stylee' skirt, (perfect for sightseeing on hols) for £1.50

And from the community shop...a new M & S, square necked, pale lilac T shirt on the 'reduced to £1' rail

GrannyKate

Fold down table with 4 chairs that fit inside - exactly what DS was looking for for tiny house so children can sit at table for meals. Fair condition with few scratches but complete set of clean seat cushions. £60.

Pollycat

Mir! wrote: »

Oooooh wish I lived near Nettlebed!

Me too!

My bargain yesterday was a Mantaray short sleeved tunic in burgundy with pink & grey leaves from Arthritis Concern for £3.20. Still with paper inspection label on the inner tag.

I also bought a Blue Harbour casual jacket (looks unworn) from the local hospice shop for £5.00. But it doesn't fit OH :mad: so will go back next week. Something like this syle in a graphite colour moleskin fabric.

Serena03

I got a good quality wooden activity table 2 weeks ago for my little one for a £10! bargain it's even got storage inside it too!

[Deleted User]

Hi there. I am new to the thread. Got my first CS bargain today. I am in the lookout for gifts to set aside for birthdays etc and saw a nice set of shower gel and body lotion which also smelled nice. Cost me £1.86. A look online says it would have cost £25. It is unused and still in the box. Well pleased.

funnyfreckle

[Deleted User] wrote:

Hi there. I am new to the thread. Got my first CS bargain today. I am in the lookout for gifts to set aside for birthdays etc and saw a nice set of shower gel and body lotion which also smelled nice. Cost me £1.86. A look online says it would have cost £25. It is unused and still in the box. Well pleased.

Sounds like a great bargain - what a brilliant start to charity shopping. Watch out though - it's very addictive!

Suzexxx

Hi everyone


I spent £17 in Acorns last week on clothes for my DD!! Think that's the most I've ever spent in one go, but I got tons of stuff some new with tags and would have cost more for one item alone so I guess it was a bargain. Don't think my husband would agree tho!


Would take me ages to write out a list but my best bargains were brand new with tags baby sleeping bags for £2.99. Brand new Next tops for £2. Mothercare brand new jeans £2. Some Hatley wellies for £2. Jo Jo Maman Bebe Vests 50p. This was all Acorns.


Popped into Worcester yesterday and got a Cath Kidston baby grow for 99p from BHF! My DD is better dressed than me!


Suze

VfM4meplse

Bought a washable M&S cardi-jacket for my sister for the grand sum of £2. I like to think of it as an investment, seing as she was eying mine up with lust recently...:) Also a couple of soft toys in mint condition for £1 each, a giraffe and a rabbit to add to the growing menagery that was once a cot

Now the biggest bargain of the lot, a foldable baker's shelf not unlike (but superior to) to image below. Its in mint condition and cost £20 from a second-hand shop.



The pic is taken from eBay and allegedly retails for $356.40 (£246). Like I'd ever part with that kind of cash for a nice-to-have....

Lol added the image of a more realistic likeness now - even more expensive than originally thought!

Lucy5781

This time next month should know if I'm having a girl or a boy and can keep eyes open for more bits