Are our possessions worth nothing?

Ilona

I have a serious skip diving addiction, can't help looking in them and rescuing anything that can be upcycled and refurbished. I have a couple of chairs here if anyone wants them, and other various bits and bobs, ha ha. Anyone want four internal wooden doors fully glazed, in good condition? I try and find new homes for things.

My plan is to get rid of most of my stuff before I pop my clogs, and not leave it for anyone else to sort out. I don't want my possessions to end up in a big hole in the ground.

Sorry you have had to go through this OP, some good ideas from everyone, try different charities.
Ilona

Tipsntreats

Thank-you all for your kind words and suggestions. Today Dorset Reclaim took the last of the furniture from storage. Dorset Reclaim only sell to people who have to rely on benefits, so at least I am doing some good. Love TT

thriftwizard

I'm so glad Dorset Reclaim have helped you, and am also sorry for your loss and the treatment you've received from other charities. But we live in a wealthy area (another in East Dorset here) and it's absolutely appalling how much really good stuff goes to waste because so many people here have more money than sense; they don't want anyone to think they can't afford new, even when they actually can't! And quality comes second to keeping up appearances...

I recently "skinned" a fabulous 5-piece suite (giant sofa, 2 chairs, pouffe & footstool) which can't have been more than a couple of years old, clean as a whistle & still had its fire labels. It was too big for the previous owner's new home, so they just dumped it. Not a DFS brown monster suite, but a graceful, comfortable and beautifully-made thing in Sanderson fabric with a sofa that seated 5. The lads at the Tip kept it on show all day, and it would have been an amazing bargain for someone as they can't charge more than £10 for anything, and this would originally have cost thousands, but it was too big to keep for long at a very small facility so it had to be broken up. At least I could save the fabric, much of which I have used and some sold on.

And I used to volunteer in a charity shop; every Monday we'd get 20-40 bin-bags of stuff handed in or find it piled up on the back doorstep. Although it's not a small shop, we simply couldn't keep it all, or ANY of it for more than 2 weeks, and some of it didn't even get sorted, if the first couple of items didn't look promising. Much of it still had retail labels in... often "good" ones. And just this week I've been asked, at my very-reasonably-priced stall in a Vintage Market, "It IS all new, isn't it?" by a lady who would clearly die rather than buy anything that isn't!

So that's how things just ARE down here, sadly - too many people with too much money/credit, too much anxiety about keeping up appearances. I just wish we could save more of the good stuff and get it to places & people where it's actually needed. But your Mum will undoubtedly have appreciated your efforts...

[Deleted User]

I love the idea of 'skinning' a set of furniture and what a great idea Far better it get used than just dumped

VfM4meplse

thriftwizard wrote: »

I'm so glad Dorset Reclaim have helped you, and am also sorry for your loss and the treatment you've received from other charities. But we live in a wealthy area (another in East Dorset here) and it's absolutely appalling how much really good stuff goes to waste because so many people here have more money than sense; they don't want anyone to think they can't afford new, even when they actually can't! And quality comes second to keeping up appearances...

I'll be coming to Southampton early one day next month (chauffeur duty ) and was wondering how best to spend the day. Instinct was to take the Sussex coastal route but you have given me a much better idea

Which are the best chazzers within a small area? My interest is mainly books, clothes and unusual kitchen items.

Tipsntreats

Thanks Thrift Wiz you summed it up. I am a bournemouth res. Did you know that the highest rate of shop lifting is from the charity shops at Westbourne? What is this world coming to?
Book shops in Southampton? There are some good ones on the outskirts, sold some Titanic books there. Not that cheap when selling on. However, there is a charity bookshop near the old city gates, they had some wonderful books there, last time I looked. Depend on how old, and what kind of books. I have an original Mrs Beaton, hand engraved, bit tatty on binding. It was given to me in the 70s, up in my loft. The thing I treasure, are the collection of first and second war, cut out recipes between the pages. Some hand written, by all the previous owners. There is a recipe in the book for cooking blackbird pie. Now I know where the nursey rhyme comes from.
TT

thriftwizard

Portswood Rd or Shirley Rd have some great charity shops, VfM4meplse - the city centre ones are best avoided if you're not after mainstream stuff.

ETA: didn't know that about Westbourne, Tipsntreats, but I'm not surprised - a lot of "faded glory" and a fair bit of keeping-up-appearances desperation around there, methinks.

VfM4meplse

thriftwizard wrote: »

Portswood Rd or Shirley Rd have some great charity shops, VfM4meplse - the city centre ones are best avoided if you're not after mainstream stuff.

Great, I'll stop by. There may be better pickings with the students away

gothgirl2121

I had no idea you were so close . Jackie O. I am saving loose change for day ticket for a day out. At 6,00p for return to town 3.5 miles away. I don't get on a bus more than once a month, except to go to allotment with daughter and mum, when I return/take out library books and pick up bits and pieces at mini market.( Which sells food past best before date ). Sounds like Rainham might be worth a look, which charity shops do you have? Any that you personally recommend?x.

kboss2010

I am sorry for your loss, OP. And I share your sorrow. There are many people who are in need of furniture because they cannot afford to buy new and beautiful, sturdy old furniture being thrown in a skip saddens me greatly. You just don't get the quality with new flat pack stuff and, if you have an old place like ours, there is room for it. We "young 'uns" inherited a lot of beautiful pieces from my OH's grandparents - trunks, singer treadle tables, side tables etc. and they're now centrepieces and have pride of place in our new-to-us Victorian tenement flat. I hate seeing these things being unloved.