More Charity Shop Bargains for 2018 & beyond!

Miró

GreyQueen wrote: »

It is very very difficult, in my experience, to buy a waterproof jacket in decent nick from a chazzer.

DigForVictory wrote: »

Sadly "hear, hear" unless the original donor bought or was given the wrong thing & rather than try to get the right one, donates it.

Above all, the right chemistry can turn a somewhat battered jacket into if not a waterproof then more shower resistant article - we just let rip with Nikwax TX Direct Wash In Waterproofer (amazon has it here) which is fiendish cunning stuff. Many a goretex that was loosing its miraculous power (but still had its seams taped) has been brought back from the back of a heap to the in-use-daily with that.

I must have been very fortunate then cos over the last 5 years or so I have acquired 3 Goretex walking jackets. a Barbour Riding jacket, all lightly worn, and an ordinary Barbour waxed jacket, BNWT, from chazza shops, never paying more than a fiver for any of them. My theory is that, being on the edge of the Dales and near the Peak District and North York Moors loads of peeps take up walking and outdoorsy pursuits - get all kitted up and then lose interest! So their expensive purchases end up in the charity shops and get snapped up by the likes of moi One of my fave finds ever was a pair of Brasher walking boots with a Goretex lining and Vibram soles. Looked as if they had only been worn once.

I also swear by the Nikwax TX stuff,,,,in fact the whole range of Nikwax products. However, I never actually buy it! I just do the monthly quiz, (easy peasy), on their website where you win their products. :j

Miró

Pollycat wrote: »

Is it me...?

We have 3 (same) hospice shops, 1 in my village which is reasonably priced, 1 in town with OK prices and one in Mum's village which (imho) is very expensive.

In the latter shop, I saw a Joules top priced at £6, then luckily noticed a stain that might or might not have been oil/fat.
I took it to the counter and the assistant (begrudgingly - after pointing out to me that 'it was an expensive make') offered to knock 50p off.
I said if it was reduced to £3 and the stain came out I'd bring the extra £3 in next week.
'oh no' she said, 'we'll wash it'.
My reply was 'I'll leave it with you'.
And I will - literally.
I wouldn't buy it at any price now.

Am I being a grouch?

This same shop has a BNWT feather & down jacket by Crew Clothing priced at £40. Seems expensive to me but I've not checked the website yet.

ETA:
they have the identical jacket on the website for £99.
Am I mean to think £40 in a charity shop is too expensive?
Today is the 3rd week the jacket has been there.

Yes, but rightly so!

No, deffo not!

VfM4meplse

GreyQueen wrote: »

Fulfilled a need which has been pending for some time; a waterproof lightweight rain jacket suitable for gardening/ outdoorsy type stuff of the scruffy nature. £10.

It is very very difficult, in my experience, to buy a waterproof jacket in decent nick from a chazzer. This is the same brand as its aged predecessor, which has been a good and faithful servant and worn to pieces for the past seven years. One in, one out!

Maybe you just haven't been divining hard enough?

I found one by accident from a chazzer a couple of months ago, M&S collection, v distinctive in a bright fuchsia, but in perfect condition and my size. Cost all of £2. It was a freezing cold Saturday and I went out in several thick layers, not thinking I would stray too far from the car but in the end I did. I tried it on in the shop and it fit over my multiple woolies, and left it on because it was so very cold outside. The chap at the till didn't realise it was his stock so I had to ask him to charge me for it!


Today I bought 4 novelty mugs at 50p each: 3 were oversized, and 1 was too cute to resist and came with its own coaster (I think I shall be gifting it). I also bought a couple of rigid plastic serving trays in cute designs at 50p each - much better than hitting the landfill I hope!

I then came across a new chazzer (to me) which sold all kinds of odds and sods. I bought 2 books for 80p, including this which I knew I wasn't going to find anywhere else:

KxMx

Popped into a large CS last week for small plates, lovely set of 4 for £1.99.

While I was there had a quick look at furniture and purchased four of the below chairs for £70 delivered (one was free as it had a mark).



I've been hunting for this style of chair and had previously made many trips round the furniture CS's specifically without finding anything.

Old chairs have been Freecycled and are being picked up tonight. :T

Miró

Pleased with my find today in the 99p shop. An M & S, 100% cashmere ladies sweater in a bright raspberry shade. Size 24 and bobbly over the bazooms and the elbows are a bit thin but I have plans for it . A couple of months ago I purchased a pair of 100% cashmere, fingerless gloves from an online company that re-cycles old cashmere sweaters and they have been just fab! Soft. light and so warm! Soooo....having a squiz online I found some destructions on how to make them myself. With the sweater being, (ahem), rather large I reckon I could get possibly 4 pairs at least. (Thinking prezzies for friends maybe). Even if I muck em up totally it won't exactly be a disaster.....:o

Hobsons_Choice

A lovely, hardly used, Samsonite hand luggage case £6. Perfect for Ryanair flights!

Owain_Moneysaver

Winter trousers £9.99, PDSA. Rather more than I'd usually pay, but BNWT and £53 online.

Floss

Miro that online company do recycling of cashmere, if you send them a sweater/cardi, they will send you some of their fingerless mittens for postage

Miró

Hi Floss, yes I had a look to see how much the postage would be for the Send a jumper and get a pair of gloves free' thingy and it worked out at about £6 for the postage both ways. Mind you the recycled cashmere gloves normally cost £26 :eek: I still thought it would be interesting to have a go myself after my enormous investment of 99p

C_J

Really pleased with this bargain last weekend - a stainless steel Breville Hot Cup with integral Brita filter for £5. It boils one cup at a time, super quickly. We have one at work and whilst initially sceptical about it, I really love it now so am pleased to find one to have at home. They usually sell for around £65.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Breville-Dispenser-Variable-Dispense-Stainless/dp/B0048EJQ7M