What is your charity shop bargain of the week?

GreenBitterfly

I'm reconsidering where to take my unwanted items, but don't know where to take them. I've fallen out with my local Scope shop after they refused to take a flat screen TV (they said they take electrical items in store, asked on the official Facebook page, they said ok, shop said no), and I was a bit concerned when I've donated stuff to Age UK in the past, that items haven't appeared on the shelf, and my Gift Aid letter didn't seem to correlate with the volume of items I've donated.

Pollycat

It's always a bit of a dilemma, Greenbitterfly.

I always took my stuff to BHF as my Dad had a heart valve replacement years ago - until I took a massive bag of decent stuff (Next, M&S etc) and asked the woman where I should put it and she snarled 'dump it there'.

I said 'I'll tell you what. I'll take it across the road to Save the Children'.
And I did - to a reaction of 'Thank you so much. Lovely of you to think of us'.

If there's a hospice shop nearby I'd choose that.

luvchocolate

As a Hospice manager can I thank you all for your support for the Hospice movement.
In my shops we price stock to the area and all managers set their own pricing structure, they know their customers.
Many thanks x

Georgiegirl256

I definitely make sure I take my stuff to a shop that actually prices them up at a decent price because some of the things are still in as new condition, and I don't want them going for next to nothing. Especially atm as we are finally starting to get round to sorting my Dad's clothing/shoes etc out, and they are all in very good (some brand new) condition, and it would break my heart to see them going for next to nothing. Also, if they are priced up at a decent price, you know the person buying them obviously really wants them and hopefully they are going to a good home. I know that is also the case for cheaper items, but things that are higher priced make you think more "do I really need that?", and are not so much of an impulse buy.

I know this is highly hypocritical of me, as I love a bargain and have just bought all those items above for £1 each. But, if I wasn't the one to buy them then someone else would have been, and they'd have still gone for £1. Just shows the difference in prices in shops for the same charity as AgeUK in the town near me, all clothing £1, and then in the City (where people will probably be happy to pay more) things rocket in price to about £7-£8 for a dress!

I also try and take everything to the Hospice shop that cared for my Dad when he was ill. The one in the city, the prices are high (which deep down, is good as more money for such a worthwhile charity), and they have nice things, no tatt, and, they are always very very grateful and appreciative of all donations.

Pollycat

Georgiegirl
I think the trick is to price items with regard to the original price (and obviously condition) and the area that the shop is in.

For example, I'd pay maybe £7.5 for a Monsoon dress that looked little or unworn and probably cost £80 new.

I wouldn't however pay £2 for a scuzzy, bobbly top from Primark that only cost £3 new.

I agree about the pricing in cities.

luvchocolate wrote: »

As a Hospice manager can I thank you all for your support for the Hospice movement.
In my shops we price stock to the area and all managers set their own pricing structure, they know their customers.
Many thanks x

I have 4 hospice shops (all the same hospice) within my local bus service route and visit the 2 in my village (one is a clearance shop) possibly 3 times a week and the other 2 once a week.

The one in my Mum's village appears to be a little 'off' with their pricing (imho and based on very frequent visits to numerous charity shops supporting all sorts of different causes).
I saw a Portmeirion Botancial Garden pattern mug in there at £15 with a slight chavelled (sp) edge for £15.

In the local Age Concern, a decent sized vase in perfect condition was £6.99.

I've not bought anything from the hospice shop in Mum's village for quite some time.

Georgiegirl256

Pollycat wrote: »

Georgiegirl
I think the trick is to price items with regard to the original price (and obviously condition) and the area that the shop is in.

For example, I'd pay maybe £7.5 for a Monsoon dress that looked little or unworn and probably cost £80 new.

I wouldn't however pay £2 for a scuzzy, bobbly top from Primark that only cost £3 new.
.

I agree. That's why I was surprised at the AgeUK having ALL items (Designer names etc) being priced at £1 amongst the cheaper Primark items. Probably because it's such a big shop that they get so many donations and needed to clear some space? Anyhow, I'm not complaining!

It's funny, from reading this thread, I know you like bright bold coloured dresses, and I ended up buying about 2-3 tropical print maxi ones! :rotfl:

Pollycat

Georgiegirl256 wrote: »

It's funny, from reading this thread, I know you like bright bold coloured dresses, and I ended up buying about 2-3 tropical print maxi ones! :rotfl:

Made me .
You 'know' me so well.
Am wearing fuchsia & mint trainers, fuchsia & mint leggings ( with a sober navy background) & a mint Mantaray top. A splash of colour in an otherwise black/grey scenery.

My wardrobe looks like someone with Holi powder (IYKWIM - think Loose Women advert) has run amok & my washing line looks like a colourful jungle.

I'm sure I'd covet your tropical print maxi dresses.
One can never have enough (especially if they are a bargain).

VfM4meplse

I'm another fan of bright summer dresses, they look lovely on when I have my summer glow and I can always sling a shawl / small denim jacket over it for cooler evenings.

I was looking after the baby yesterday, and bought her a couple of dresses: one a cotton summer dress for £2 (in the washing machine as I write this), and another amazing party dress for her from CRUK for £3.50! (I'll update the post with a pic if I can find the dress online). Even moody sis was wowed by it!

Unfortunately our little princess hates shops so turned into Damien whilst I was browsing.

GreyQueen

:j I got 13 Lock&Lock boxes yesterday for £6.75! mostly small, of 4 different sizes, but ideal for my needs. Totally chuffed!

Pollycat

This isn't a charity shop bargain but is sort-of on topic so I thought I'd share it with you.

Day out with a good friend yesterday, she's not a charity shopper (but there's not that many where we were anyway), we popped into BHS and I found a fabulous maxi dress - good quality 'bouncy' jersey (if anybody gets what I mean) in shades of cream, pink and mint with a little navy thrown in.
Not quite halter neck but cutaway armholes into a sort-of cuff around the neck embellished with 'jewels' and beads.
Fits perfectly (apart from the 6 inches I need to lop off the bottom - that's my Sunday morning job).
Reduced from £35 to £10.

Do I really need another maxi dress.............?