More Charity Shop Bargains for 2018 & beyond!

VfM4meplse

AstroTurtle wrote: »

Do you generally find a decent range or is their better shops to try for certain items?

Part of the fun is exploring the territory.

Today's find at my new local were this for 50p (retailing on eBay for £3.50):


And also a brand new stainless steel folding rack (can't find similar on Google). I'm not too sure what it's for, but it is in good condition and I'm sure I can find a use for it

DigForVictory

Himself went back all hopeful & came back with 4 glass sweet shop jars, some handy reference books (all at 50 pence a pop - and the glass jars weight a fair couple of pounds apiece) & a mystery wooden draining spoon - which turn out to be very nicely turned boxwood "olive spoon".

He'd have liked to have found more kitchen things, but he's a happy man!

AstroTurtle

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Part of the fun is exploring the territory.

Today's find at my new local were this for 50p (retailing on eBay for £3.50):


And also a brand new stainless steel folding rack (can't find similar on Google). I'm not too sure what it's for, but it is in good condition and I'm sure I can find a use for it

Thanks for the advice! I'll come back with some results!

Pollycat

Lordy! Lordy!
I've just re-read my notes on checking clothes. :eek:
I must sound like I'm bonkers! (I am )

Mir! wrote: »

I was saddened today, when going into the Oxfam shop, to see a notice on the window with a long and seemingly heartfelt apology regarding the recent reports of abuse...just wondering if this was something done by this one shop or is it a national thing???

I've not noticed a notice on ours (but there'll probably be one).
I wonder how hard this is going to hit Oxfam?
Minnie Driver has already resigned as ambassador and I think M&S and other major sponsers are monitoring the situation.
But there are still the innocent and vulnerable who need help.

DigForVictory wrote: »

Himself went back all hopeful & came back with 4 glass sweet shop jars, some handy reference books (all at 50 pence a pop - and the glass jars weight a fair couple of pounds apiece) & a mystery wooden draining spoon - which turn out to be very nicely turned boxwood "olive spoon".

He'd have liked to have found more kitchen things, but he's a happy man!

I love spoons like that.
The ones actually made from olive wood are pretty expensive.

Miró

Pollycat wrote: »

I've not noticed a notice on ours (but there'll probably be one).
I wonder how hard this is going to hit Oxfam?
Minnie Driver has already resigned as ambassador and I think M&S and other major sponsers are monitoring the situation.
But there are still the innocent and vulnerable who need help.

This is a copy of the Oxfam apology notice.

We are so sorry.

To Oxfam supporters, friends and volunteers, we are so sorry for the appalling behaviour that happened in our name. More than anything, we are sorry to the people of Haiti and other places where the conduct of Oxfam staff has been so reprehensible.

The sexual misconduct of former Oxfam employees in Haiti during 2011 and in Chad during 2006 should never have happened. We should have been more explicit in our reporting of these incidents.

We are listening.

As an organisation that supports women's rights, these events are particularly hard to bear. We know that you put your trust in us and that these devastating reports will have damaged that trust. We want you to know that we are working hard to rebuild it.

We have made massive improvements since 2011, like establishing whistleblowing procedures and a safeguarding team. IT hasn't been enough. So now we're working closely with the government and the Charity Commission, and will:


More than triple Oxfam's safeguarding capacity globally to better protect the people we serve
Ensure we listen to and look after people who come forward as a result of the new measures. We will always be transparent
Establish an Independent Global Commission to review our approach to safeguarding and improve our culture so taht no wman faces sexism, discrimination or abuse
Work together with other charities to improve how we tackle safeguarding challenges across the sector.
We are still saving and changing lives.

Please know that Oxfam is still full of amazing, brave committed staff and volunteers who are making remarkable life-saving, life-changing work happen in desperate situations. From the ongoing conflict in Yemen where dedicated teams are reaching people with much needed food without thought for their own safety, to Bangladesh where we are getting clean, safe, water to to frightened and vulnerable Rohingya refugees.

Right now, and every day, this work continues - and it couldn't do without you.

The scandal that has hit Oxfam in the past week has been shocking, but we are determined that it must not stop the world's poorest people getting the help they need. We hope that we will be able to earn back the trust that has been lost.

Once again, we are so sorry to all of you.

Out,_Vile_Jelly

Pollycat wrote: »

I've not noticed a notice on ours (but there'll probably be one).
I wonder how hard this is going to hit Oxfam?
Minnie Driver has already resigned as ambassador and I think M&S and other major sponsers are monitoring the situation.
But there are still the innocent and vulnerable who need help.

I suspect Oxfam, and many big name charities, have simply got too big and powerful and are suffering the same problems of top level arrogance and middle management complacence that all global corporations do. Perhaps all charities should be required to show a properly costed breakdown of where exactly each donated quid actually goes.

Maybe smaller charity shops will get more donations because of this?

Pollycat

Thanks, Miro.
I would hope that no volunteer or even shop manager would get abuse for what has been allowed to happen at top level.

Out,_Vile_Jelly wrote: »

I suspect Oxfam, and many big name charities, have simply got too big and powerful and are suffering the same problems of top level arrogance and middle management complacence that all global corporations do. Perhaps all charities should be required to show a properly costed breakdown of where exactly each donated quid actually goes.

Maybe smaller charity shops will get more donations because of this?

I donate only to my local hospice shop anyway (and have done so for many years), but I can see people being put off donating to Oxfam by this. Both in money and unwanted items.
An article I read said that they've had a number of cancelled regular donations as a result.

Although from chats to friends, it seems a lot of them actually take unwanted clothes and goods to the nearest or most convenient shop for them.
I've never done that. I used to lug carrier bags full of stuff on the bus to my local town specifically to BHF (until one of the assistants hacked me off) rather than to any of the nearest shops.

I'm pretty indiscriminate about where I buy my 2nd hand clothes from though.

VfM4meplse

AstroTurtle wrote: »

Thanks for the advice! I'll come back with some results!

Case in point: I have just been to an interview in a "fur"-trimmed winter coat that was a chazzer find over my suit. I look and feel fabulous

I also treated myself to 3 books on the way back. I haven't set foot in this place for a while, but the volunteer remembered me because I bought a huge bundle of books last time

AstroTurtle

Out,_Vile_Jelly wrote: »

I suspect Oxfam, and many big name charities, have simply got too big and powerful and are suffering the same problems of top level arrogance and middle management complacence that all global corporations do. Perhaps all charities should be required to show a properly costed breakdown of where exactly each donated quid actually goes.

Maybe smaller charity shops will get more donations because of this?

Hopefully this allows a better spread of donations.


I do see how people can feel a bit put off when large charities raise millions and millions yet seem to waste it on high level expenses and scandals like this.


The damage they cause ripples through the whole organisation.

AstroTurtle

VfM4meplse wrote: »

Case in point: I have just been to an interview in a "fur"-trimmed winter coat that was a chazzer find over my suit. I look and feel fabulous

I also treated myself to 3 books on the way back. I haven't set foot in this place for a while, but the volunteer remembered me because I bought a huge bundle of books last time

I had a result today already!


Golf clubs with bag for £15 for a whole set!