More Charity Shop Bargains for 2018 & beyond!

Owain_Moneysaver

DigForVictory wrote: »

So my feet are sore but I am beaming, and about to go research what the devil the War Office crowsfoot is doing on a Langley pot..

Pots, Tea, Officers' Mess, for the use of?

CollieDog2

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Pots, Tea, Officers' Mess, for the use of?

Married Quarters issue, for Officers?

Right, there is a saying if you wait long enough you'll find it in a thrift/charity store.

Well it happened. Husband wanted an old school sugar dispenser with the funnel spout thingie that sits in the jar. Found yesterday for $2.99! Happy husband.

I got a wicker basket in a shape that I've coveted for years. Don't know what it's called but the handle is in arch shape and was popular in the 60s. Oh and another tea towel for my collection (although it feels too polycotton to be effective for drying up)

Owain_Moneysaver

CollieDog2 wrote: »

Well it happened. Husband wanted an old school sugar dispenser with the funnel spout thingie that sits in the jar. Found yesterday for $2.99! Happy husband.

I got one of those for work, as it helps stop people putting wet sticky dirty spoons in the sugar.

Doesn't stop it completely, mind.

Bogof_Babe

The trouble with those sugar dispensers is that as the level goes down, you get less and less per inversion, so end up with just a tiny bit unless you do it several times. Also I worry about dust getting into the sugar through the exposed opening in the top of the tube. But don't let me put you off lol :rotfl: .

Just popped in to say that some managers or pricers can be pretty clueless can't they? Not just the Primark teeshirt for twice what it was new, but in Cornwall last week in a Sue Ryder I picked up a plastic measuring jug that had seen better days, being a bit scratched and generally old looking... priced at £2 :eek: . I gasped out loud, and caught the male assistant's attention, so I said "those are only about 30p new in Asda". (I know because I have bought one not so long ago.)

He kept repeating "I can't go that low", despite me saying I didn't want it, I've got several already, but he won't be able to sell it at that price. He just kept repeating "I can't go that low", so I gave up trying to get my point across eventually.

Someone had probably looked up the price for a Pyrex jug, and slapped the same price on a tatty plastic one. Oh well, it will still be there gathering dust next year.

On the other hand, in a different shop I got a "St Michael" (remember them?) cream pure silk shirt for £3. Now that's my kind of bargain!

tessie_bear

i got 2 really nice ikea prints a bit like a collection of portmerion botanics pics on a bit of paper...50p for 2 now hanging and they look lovely xx from cr shop

bsuije

Got a brand new, still-in-the-box, Oxo Good Grips salad spinner for £2.99 at an Oxfam store close to Victoria Park in Hackney yesterday. Yippeee!! :j Have wanted one for ages and that price, for that quality, was an absolute bargain! My OH thinks I'm mad, but it really made my day! :rotfl:

@Magpie100 - in the vicinity of the shops you mentioned, there is also an Oxfam (more or less opposite Angel tube station), which has got some nice stock. There is also a Fara CS on Pentonville Road (just around the corner from Angel), which is huge and cheap, but the stock is mixed quality, so it takes more effort to unearth some gems.

For anyone else in London, Blackheath is one of my other favourite CS locations. It has 4 CS (which is an achievement, considering how small it is!) - Boutique by Shelter and Mary's Living and Giving are more upmarket, with better quality items and prices to match. Cancer Research has a lot of stock, with mixed pricing, and my favourite - Oxfam - which has really nice stock and very decent (at least in London terms) prices.

Wednesday2000

I looked around five shops today but didn't find anything too exciting. The shops all seemed low on stock for some reason.

I got a few basics, a red and a pink vest top. A short black slip dress to wear under things as the strap on my old dress snapped the other day.

I also got a long black jersey maxi dress and a black wrap around dress for the autumn.

I got my husband some plain t-shirts to wear under shirts as all his tops have band names on them. I got three in my favourite colours, black, red and blue.

I did see a very nice River Island navy lace top and a grey Jigsaw dress but they were both small size 12 and I knew I wouldn't be getting in them!

I hate when that happens.:(

Magpie100 wrote: »

Reporting on my adventures yesterday. I was lucky enough to spend the day in charity shop heaven - on Upper Street, Islington. I think I've now been so spoilt I'll only ever want to shop there...

First things first: everything was noticeably more expensive, which I did expect, but was still a bit of a shock. Definitely no chance of finding gems that have been overlooked and accidentally underpriced - but on the up side, nearly everything I saw was in great condition and there was a lot of designer stuff. I know it's probably not everyone's cup of tea or way of charity shopping, but I think it is mine!

The first CS we went to I can't remember the name of and had a lot of mid-range high street stuff. Lots of Zara, Next, Oasis, Mango and a few more expensive brands - Boden, Seasalt, Karen Millen. Tops were £7-9 I would say - where I usually go these would be £4-6. I didn't buy anything but it was a good way to get a feel of the differences.

Next up was the Shelter CS shop. This was hands down the most beautiful CS shop I have ever been in. Beautiful decor and more like a boutique independent shop than a CS. Stripped wood floors, spacious changing rooms, and incredible stock. I bought:

- A white vest with bronze metallic trim. Unbranded, no labels, though made in South Africa. I am a sucker for vests and like them to be a little bit dressy (to ear to work under a blazer or jacket) and I loved this. Only £3, so actually not far adrift of usual pricing.

- A Marimekko tunic for £8 in a black and white pattern. Will need leggings under it. On their website they retail at £115 or so. Looks unworn.

- Navy Zara trousers for £7. Unusual cut - 3/4 length crop with a slit at the front of the bottom so they flare out a little. Perfect condition.

We didn't have too much time and there were two lovely jackets I coveted, but I didn't have time to make a proper decision, so I may have to go back!

After that we went to the Mary's Living and Giving Shop. Again very beautifully curated with some very pricey stock. Trousers for £120 (RRP £400). I do support these pricing policies in places like London since charities should be getting the most ££ they can for their donations. I bought:

- a pair of silky cuffed joggers from arket. Bottle green, and so soft. £15. I like Arket but have never bought anything from there as it is so expensive. These are smart enough for work and feel lovely.

- A white Adidas shell jacket in cream with short sleeves. This is why I love CS shopping. I have a strange fondness for quirky sportswear, and this is the kind of item I would never come across in normal high-street shops (and if I did I would never buy). This was £12. It feels quirky, almost vintage in style, with fun details. I love it!

All in all, I still think most things were worth the prices being asked. And I increasingly don't want to buy new when there is so much good secondhand out there.

Hope everyone is having bargainous weekends! M100

Oh, that is interesting. I am going there in a few weeks for a concert so I might look around the shops as well.:)

DigForVictory

Owain_Moneysaver wrote: »

Pots, Tea, Officers' Mess, for the use of?

Bit functional for the officers, even though we had a war on. Basestamp reads 1960, so possibly Young lout Cadets, for the use of.

I will be in London for less than 72 hours this run, but am taking notes & Awed at your finds!

Bogof_Babe

In my favourite local rummage shop (not part of a chain, it supports local disabled children) I found a Seasalt "infinity" cotton scarf (it's a circle, joined all the way round) in a lovely wavy blue, yellow and orange print, for 50p. Also a M&S Collection gorgeous light blue with summery printed design v-neck teeshirt, another 50p. Both items must have been new, as when I hand washed them separately some die came out.

Also a Good Cook microwave omelette maker on the 10p shelf. Currently on Amazon for £5.83 + ridiculous postage.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-Cook-Microwavable-Omelet-Maker/dp/B00OAO1MHW

I do feel guilty when this shop underprices things as all the helpers are volunteers and there's no-one creaming off big profits. So I buy a fair bit of tat there as well!

CollieDog2

DigForVictory wrote: »

Bit functional for the officers, even though we had a war on. Basestamp reads 1960, so possibly Young lout Cadets, for the use of.

I will be in London for less than 72 hours this run, but am taking notes & Awed at your finds!

As I posted upthread, it may have PMQ stuff. I remember my Q came fully equipped and everything had the crowfoot stamp on it.