Charity Shopping - bargains galore for 2021!

Pollycat

I've not bought anything since the shops reopened, although I've taken lots of things to our local hospice shop.

I left a fabulous Phase Eight maxi dress in vibrant colours on the rail for someone else as it would have needed taking up quite a lot and I just couldn't be bothered. It was £6.00 so a bargain for someone.

goldfinches

Well I've been out for a very windy and rather damp walk and didn't manage to make it to my favourite chazza before they closed but did stop at a second hand bookshop and bought the book quoted in my signature below as well as a couple of others.  
@Pollycat that maxi dress sounds lovely but it's still so cold here that I don't think I can quite believe that I'm ever going to come out of my full length polo neck thermal underwear. Our forecast for tomorrow is an ominous 0°C which I'm not looking forward to as I'm meeting some friends for a walk and a chat in the park, brrr.

cbsexec

Ventured out to my local hospice shop today for the first time.  Took a small bag of donations and had a quick look around.  They are inundated with donations apparently but I was horrified at the prices😱.  Quite nice M&S jumper £12 😱. Jeggings - cheap make £7 
I know it’s a charity and they have to make up for lost revenue but still.  Not surprising they had so much stock - I’m sure if it was slightly cheaper they would sell more as you can nearly pay that for new.  Or am I wrong?  

Miró

Can't say I've noticed any obvious price increases in the charity shops hereabouts....£12 for an M & S jumper seems rather expensive, (unless it was cashmere of course!).

I found three nice bargains in the 99p St Gemma's Shop today,  Just timed it right for the van arriving with fresh stock and they put most of it straight out on the rails.  First find was a J Crewe white linen longish shirt...original price was £59.  Then an M & S pink silky longish shirt...one selling on EBay for £12.99.  Finally a pair of Annabelle straight leg trousers in a browny/burgundy shade, BNWT and previously priced at £28.  Soooo for £2.97 I have a couple of new outfits as both shirts go well with the trousers.  Happy days!!

Lucy5781

Best find since re-opening, two days before actually getting DS's official primary school allocation, I found one of our first choice school's reversible fleece/waterproof logo'd coats in DS's size. Bought it in hope knowing I could pass on to another parent if there was a problem but thankfully, he got into the first choice school! It was £5.00, online through the local uniform supplier, it's £20 brand new.
Today I also found him three pairs of NEXT tracksuit bottoms in blue, navy and black for £1 each. NEXT pink glitter jelly sandals with the original sticker labels still in them, new, for DD for a £1 as well last week, she found those herself, she's only three!

cbsexec

It isn’t a posh charity shop in a posh area.  And it wasn’t cashmere - I checked 😀.  Wish we had more charity shops like the ones everyone here seems to have.   

goldfinches

cbsexec said:

It isn’t a posh charity shop in a posh area.  And it wasn’t cashmere - I checked 😀.  Wish we had more charity shops like the ones everyone here seems to have.   

I find the pricing varies both within the chazza and between the various shops and think that this is probably something to do with staffing. For instance in one shop you may find that women's clothing seems very overpriced while men's shoes are very good value or you might find that the Scope shop is realistically priced while the Oxfam is at designer pre-loved levels. 
All in all I've found that it pays to keep visiting regularly and looking round all of the shop simply so that one knows how a particular shop rates against the others you visit and what sort of stock they're currently being given.
I agree that overpricing reduces sales, partly because customers are discouraged from return visits, and I do find it mystifying that some shops are so poorly run. 

tessie_bear

hello so glad you are still getting the bargains x i went to cancer research and got a beautiful woodsware serving bowl £2 well pleased with it i am starting a bit of a collection am now on the hunt for a gravy jug x

fifi63

Hope you don't mind me joining this thread. I've decided to give the charity shops a miss for the time being. I've got rid of so much stuff over lockdown and I'm trying not to add to it again. In saying that, if I really needed something, they would be my first choice. I've recently been following a youtuber called 'Diane in Denmark'. She is a great believer in shopping your house to change up your decor, etc. 

Magpie100

<slinks in> I must, must, must stop going to charity shops. I think my current buying level is s a direct effect of five months away from them... 
Today's finds: A White Stuff cardigan for £3.50 in St Clare's hospice. Am in love. Will be amazing for spring - cotton and linen blend. It's this one: RRP £50! https://images.app.goo.gl/91jk58Q22PyT7Asc8

A pair of Ria Menorca Abarcas sandals. https://www.ria.es/en/shop-online/womens-abarcas/traditional/11 Perhaps donated by someone who has given up hope of holidaying somewhere hot this year? I have wanted a pair of these for a while but at 54 euros it wasn't going to happen. Today in the Helen Rollason charity shop they had a pair in my size - metallic silver - for £4.50. My Magpie eye went slightly cross-eyed as I pounced on them...

TWO pairs of jeans. A pair of Superdry Copper Denim Classics. These were £4 in St Clare's. I actually think they might be men's, but I have been happily wearing them all afternoon! And a pair of Diesel jeans for £7.50. Ok, these reminded me of my youth when Diesel was THE go-to brand for jeans. They fit, they make me laugh, I love them. 

A Seasalt sunflower long skirt, pretty much this one: https://images.app.goo.gl/EdUpjft16oC16Fy89 for £7.50 in Isabel hospice. I am thinking of returning this (as long as I have the receipt I can ) as it is a size 14 so a little bit large on the waist. But it's pretty! 100% cotton and lined, and well made. I will sleep on it. 

A white sleeveless 100% cotton shirt that was BNWT. A French brand called Blane du Nil. So posh they don't sell online: https://www.blancdunil.com/en/produits-blanc-du-nil-uk/ so no way to find out the RRP but very traditionally French and sold in tourist areas, so I assume fairly pricey. 

A blue jumper from B. Young. £4. This is a Danish fashion brand - mid-price range, I'd say. Acrylic/viscose mix but perfect for the changeable weather we're currently in. 

Must. Stop. Shopping.