Charity Shopping - bargains galore for 2021!

balabooberlies

In my area, through all the lockdowns, people were dumping stuff outside charity shops.  I use the word dumping deliberately because they knew these shops were closed and unmaned.

Of course I saw things I wanted.  So I took a few items and popped cash through the letter box.

A clever lady on another thread suggested that I carry envelopes and cash, marked for the charity.

On one occasion I literally got caught both by the letter box and the manager.  As we were chatting she told me that all the other stuff outside would go straight in the bin due to rats wee (leptospirosis) etc.  I could have cried as there was some good stuff but the health of staff comes first.

A few days later I observed another manager (different shop) arrive for work, pick up the bags outside and place them by the bins.  No concern as to what was in them.

bala

Pollycat

Some people seem to think charity shops are the same as putting stuff in your bin or skip - a way to get rid of rubbish.

I always check over what I'm thinking of donating and give it the 'would somebody want to buy this?' check.

And it's always washed before donating.

oldhaggis

One of our local charity shops closed down during the last lockdown. The shop has been totally stripped out and emptied and the sign above the door removed. In spite of this, two weeks ago someone still dumped baby equipment and plastic bags of "donations" on the pavement outside. 
There are two other charity shops on the same parade which might have been grateful for these donations. It does make you wonder about the intelligence of some people. 

goldfinches

Pollycat said:

Some people seem to think charity shops are the same as putting stuff in your bin or skip - a way to get rid of rubbish.

I always check over what I'm thinking of donating and give it the 'would somebody want to buy this?' check.

And it's always washed before donating.

I was very glad to read this whole comment. I bought a Tala icing set in a pretty tin yesterday, it included a fabric bag, 8 nozzles and a two piece connector, £1.50. I opened the tin in the shop but didn't realise until I got it home that the bag and attached nozzle had not been washed before being donated, the icing remnants inside were a lovely shade of greenish yellow. I also bought a cast metal egg slicer, £1.99, in a different shop and that had crumbs of hard boiled egg yolk clinging to it. Both items went into hot water with blue anti-bacterial Fairy and were scrubbed hard!

I'm quite horrified at both the above things as I've not experienced anything similar before. I sorted out a bag of kitchen equipment for donation last week and gave everything a hard look and in some cases a wash before bagging it up because I would have felt ashamed of giving things that couldn't go straight out onto the shelves. I've also enquired of staff whether I need to iron items before donating and been told that it isn't necessary because everything will be steamed on hangers. 

I think your "would somebody want to buy this?" check is definitely the right way to think about the items you're donating and I'll remember that for the future.

Pollycat

goldfinches said:

I think your "would somebody want to buy this?" check is definitely the right way to think about the items you're donating and I'll remember that for the future.

I do keep in mind 'one woman's trash is another woman's treasure' but if I think it isn't in good condition, I won't donate it.

So....after a long time in the charity wilderness...I've bought a few things this morning:

M&S pale grey leggings, super-soft, VGC. £1.50. (Age Concern). I'd rather buy good quality leggings second hand than Primark new.

M&S mid blue jeggings, VGC £3.00 (local Hospice)

And a pair of Converse Hi-tops that waved to me from the window of Age Concern.

My size, very little worn and a perfect fit.

Don't know if they are genuine (do you get fake Converse?) but they are lovely.

They are not canvas, they are a thicker material, almost a brocade in 2 tone grey with an outside zip.

Inside says 'lunarlon:

Nike designed Lunarlon to withstand repeat impact on the sole, the kind experienced by marathoners and basketball players who run or jump continuously for long periods. It provides cushioning and arch support, and it worked so well that Nike now uses the material in a wide range of footwear.

Quick Google suggests the insoles are $34.

And there is an extra bit around the back of the shoes and round the ankle in a sort of neoprene material, it's the same material as the backing on the tongue. Makes them very comfortable, especially as I have bony ankles.

£10.00 which is maybe not cheap but then again neither are Converse brand new.

Here they are:

https://unionjackboots.com/converse-chuck-taylor-all-star-selene-winter-knit-mouse-553356c.html

Rosa_Damascena

How is t that everyone can buy so much stuff, particularly the bulky cookware that DfV comes back with? I am still reeling from my marathon packing session (just the kitchen) last Monday, the trauma lives in me still Yet I miss the thrill of the chaz.

Magpie100

Love the boots, @Pollycat

last week I found a beautiful shirt by Mary Portas for £3.50. Bright orange with pink trimmed cuffs and a pink stripe on each sleeve. Really beautiful cut and have worn it out twice already. 

Then I really splurged. I found a Paul Smith dress for £19.99 in age concern. It is a pinafore style, fully lined, in shades of pink and grey. Absolutely beautiful and I can’t wait to wear it in the office in the autumn. A bit £££ but probably still only 10 per cent of the original price… 

Magpie100

@Miró I love that jacket, too. Great find! 

goldfinches

Rosa_Damascena said:

How is t that everyone can buy so much stuff, particularly the bulky cookware that DfV comes back with? I am still reeling from my marathon packing session (just the kitchen) last Monday, the trauma lives in me still Yet I miss the thrill of the chaz.

I have a backpack with padded shoulder straps, a sternum strap and a waistbelt. Seriously, a piece here and a piece there is much less than when you were packing up an entire kitchen and your travails really made me think. I had a mini sort out last week and donated a bag full of kitchen kit that was no longer needed for various reasons so thankyou for giving me the push I needed.

goldfinches

I forgot to say that I visited the Emmaus shop this afternoon and this notice stuck on the front of the till caught my eye.



Their prices were more than reasonable especially compared to the other charity shops I frequent so I thought it very funny.