Do You Shop in Charity Shops?

surfsister

PasturesNew wrote: »

I used to ... but I rarely find things these days and the prices started going up 4-5 years ago as wealthier people started using them, so often I find the items either unaffordable, or costing more than one could buy it for new in a cheap shop.

yes i think it's since mary quant?? got involved in charity shops they started upselling!! ie less stuff at inflated prices. I've seen jumpers I donated which cost $3 in primark on sale for $4!!

also I think since they started selling new stuff they have to pay more rent.

I have one or two cheaper ones I stick to - which sell paperbacks for 25p cards for 10p, and put clothes which don't sell outside on a rack for 50p often still with tags on!!

we also have a pound charity shop!!

likelyfran

Of course!
I have found some amazing bargains in charity shops.
For clothes - just give 'em a good old wash or 2, before wear, and they're fine.
I love browsing in charity shops and have noticed that some eg. British Heart Foundation will charge a fiver for something that a more quirky, standalone shop such as our local cat rescue centre shop, will charge maybe £1.50 for the same thing.
I try to donate a lot to animal and hospice charity shops too.

likelyfran

EndlessStruggle wrote: »

We have a £1.99 charity shop and a few small independent ones, we regularly go to the seaside and the ones at the coast seem to be cheaper and have hidden gems. I buy most of my clothes from charity shops. We also have recently moved into our first house and a lot of our furniture came out of a charity shop. The prices were excellent as was the condition of the furniture.

They are fabulous for vintage/antiques - furniture. clothes, 'bric a brac', jewellery.
Get bargains, contribute to charity, bring your unwanted stuff there too, help with the recycling of things, it's winwin all round.
Love them!

purpleshoes_2

Theres a 99p charity shop near where I live, all the clothes are 99p and the books are four for 99p. Ive had monsoon jeans, adidas tracksuit bottoms, a monsoon jumper, a river island shirt, leggings, various other pairs of jeans, a coat, all for 99p an item. I rarely shop anywhere else for my clothes now. There are two oxfams near me, they are overpriced as far as Im concerned. Theres also a salvation army shop, a hospice shop, cancer research, british heart foundation and PDSA within a few miles.

I used to volunteer in a charity shop and all the clothes were steam cleaned before being put on display, anything not of saleable quality was ragged, the charities get money for old clothes and shoes that arent fit for sale.

I also donate back to charity a lot, there are a couple near me who take magazines so they go there, I give books back once Ive read them and anything thats not fit to be sold gets given back for rag as well. No stigma in shopping in charity shops as far as Im concerned, I love getting a decent bargain.

purpleshoes_2

Also got a freezer, a fridge and a washing machine second hand from a local charity shop, great bargains.

studentnomore

I don't. Every single charity shop has some strange smell that puts me off. I take staff into charity shops but don't buy from them.

Joan49

Started using them as a student and still do even though I'm not short of cash these days. They are a source of great bargains and you are supporting a charity.

Beenie

I am happy to shop in a charity store, but I wouldn't be seen dead in a Primark , New Look, Peacocks or any of the other 'pile it high, sell it cheap' tat stores that litter our High Streets.

Buying something from them - made by exploited child labourers - that does not last a season, and falls apart after a few washes.....now that's what would embarrass me. Whereas buying a quality pre-loved item that needs a gentle wash or dry-clean, what's to be ashamed of there?

(Beenie currently wearing a Ralph Lauren charcoal cashmere jumper bought for 99p).

elsien

I do go into charity shops but rarely find clothes that I want at a decent price. It may be because my town has a lower socio-economic demographic, but most of the stuff is from the cheap and cheerful shops and hasn't worn well. The clothes look worn and a bit bobbled and when it's only a pound or so cheaper than new, I'd rather pay the extra for good quality new.
I wouldn't wear second hand shoes, that's a personal thing, I don't want my feet anywhere near where anyone else's has been.

WelshDragoness

I regularly buy from our local animal charity shops, you can find some nice reasonably priced items there, especially coats usually about £7, and I never buy a paperback book anywhere except charity shops and car boot sales. I also donate books back once read and also any annual out grown clothes from my children. Some of the well known charity shops are very pricey now, especially considering the items are donated, I understand that they have overheads but they would turnover more if the prices were cheaper. Local car boot sales are brilliant for bargains too, I am definitely getting into the idea of recycling everyday items instead of just buying new every time, but if i need something special i'd go to regular shops, but it kills me to spend in them, becoming a tightwad in my old age !