Charity Shopping - New to You in '22!

cbsexec

Got quite excited as we have a new charity shop opened up and as it’s an offshoot of some other “pile it high and sell a bit cheaper” charity in a nearby town I was hoping for more down to earth prices.   After having a look today I realise they are adopting the prices of our other 2 charity shops eg £30 for a fairly ordinary pair of mens shoes, £10 for a cheap make jacket and some bric a brac prices that were nearly new price😱.  Their shops in the town are much cheaper so I will be looking there but it was very disappointing.   I love reading about everyone’s bargains even though mine are very few and far between. 

Wednesday2000

Brie said:

Wednesday2000 said:

I did see some bowls by the register, but they were too small for cereal. They were quite nice, blue and yellow and the lady said they would be good for olives. Hmm. I might buy them next time if they are still there. 4 for £2.

We have some tiddly bowls that are good to put that one cracked egg in while you wait for a reason to use it, a couple of little tomatoes to add to a dinner, cornichons, capers, small amount of some ingredient that you need to measure out but want to put the big pack out of the way, dipping sauces.  And olives.  

Pollycat said:

Wednesday2000 said:

I went to get my hair cut today and I saw it was close to the Southend Mencap store. I went in afterwards and it isn't a big shop at all, but it had a few items I wanted.

I bought a black and white midi spotted dress and black sheer blouse, both Papaya which is Matalan. I bought two pairs of men's shorts and a man's black belt. I also got a unicorn teddy for my dog to chew up. That all came to £15.

I did see some bowls by the register, but they were too small for cereal. They were quite nice, blue and yellow and the lady said they would be good for olives. Hmm. I might buy them next time if they are still there. 4 for £2.

Brie said:

Wednesday2000 said:

I did see some bowls by the register, but they were too small for cereal. They were quite nice, blue and yellow and the lady said they would be good for olives. Hmm. I might buy them next time if they are still there. 4 for £2.

We have some tiddly bowls that are good to put that one cracked egg in while you wait for a reason to use it, a couple of little tomatoes to add to a dinner, cornichons, capers, small amount of some ingredient that you need to measure out but want to put the big pack out of the way, dipping sauces.  And olives.  

I love little bowls.
We sometimes have olives and antipasti bits and I like to set the table nicely. Bit of a pain washing up afterwards though.

I know. I should have bought them really! I might look tomorrow to see if they are still there. I was going to go today, but there is a thunderstorm warning.

goldfinches

@Cherryfudge - I decided not to go back to the shop because I have so many books already and I wasn't feeling up to much yesterday and somehow the impulse to purchase has worn off, must be the distance between home and the shop I think. Thankyou for the link to the Oxfam website which is very alluring too.
I've tried to watch Bake Off but not enjoyed it because of the focus on the contestants rather than the baking which is frustrating especially when methods aren't explained.
@CAFCGirl - I agree with you about Shein, I was surprised that something that can only have been bought in the last few months had already been donated.
@Brie - yes there I am pinned under a pile of unread book purchases, well spotted.
@Pollycat - gorgeous scarf, not surprised you don't want to part with it. Lovely Cobridge vase and painting, I can see why you bought them.
@Wednesday2000 - pretty little bowls can be so useful for lots of things but can also be more 'stuff' so I can appreciate your mulling it over.
@cbsexec - that sounds very irritating, hope you find some bargains in town soon.
@Miró- my impression of Moorcroft is that the many mentions of it on the various tv programmes have driven the prices right up and that anyone who buys now will find that there is a big drop in its future value but that is just my impression, I might be wrong.

I spotted an article about this Chingford shop and wondered if anyone on here had ever been there and if so what did you think of it? I'm wondering about suggesting that our local authority start something similar here as a way of using a vacant retail site.
Second Time Around Shop | LondonEnergy (londonenergyltd.com)

Brie

@goldfinches
what's the difference between a charity shop and what the LondonEnergy shop does?  Other than fund raise for a particular good cause?   I'm wondering if it is very different from the one that used to operate at our local tip.  There the chaps working would help people unload stuff from their vehicles and nab anything that might be reused - so planters, reasonably nice furniture, china etc.  Unfortunately closed when the site was renovated and covid hit.

Miró

  

Went back to have another look at the Moorcroft vases but the staff could not find the key to the cabinet so had to take a photo of them in the cabinet!!  I was wrong about the background colour, it's cream not navy and got the prices wrong, small, (3 1/2"), vase £40, small, (4 1'2"), squat vase £50.  I think I've identified the pattern...it's Hibiscus.  I found the small vase currently selling online at between £60 to £135 and the squat vase selling for £95.  I'm sorely tempted as I really like them, (not bothered about them as 'investment pieces), but still feel they are a bit overpriced for a chazza shop.

Anyhoo...on to the St Gemma's Hospice shop and picked up a brand new Joe Brown dress for £7.99, cobalt blue and black jersey material in a small ditsy pattern, very much like a Seasalt dress with no zips or buttons, calf length and with long sleeves gathered at the top in a puffy effect.  What is it with Joe Brown stuff?  Loads of brand new items, (both for men and women) in lots of the charity shops now.  Are they in trouble???

goldfinches

Brie said:

@goldfinches
what's the difference between a charity shop and what the LondonEnergy shop does?  Other than fund raise for a particular good cause?   I'm wondering if it is very different from the one that used to operate at our local tip.  There the chaps working would help people unload stuff from their vehicles and nab anything that might be reused - so planters, reasonably nice furniture, china etc.  Unfortunately closed when the site was renovated and covid hit.

That's really why I'm asking on here because there doesn't seem to be any difference at all apart from where the money ends up. There are so many vacant sites appearing locally that I thought of suggesting the idea to keep at least one site in use until the cost of living comes down a bit. I'm asking just in case the reality is somewhat different from the impression given on the website.

cbsexec

I think the difference is that they rescue the stuff from the tip so it would have gone to landfill.  More furniture and household goods than clothes    We have one at our local tip but unfortunately it has short opening hours which coincide with me working.  I have heard it’s very good though.

Rosa_Damascena

Wednesday2000 said:

I went to get my hair cut today and I saw it was close to the Southend Mencap store. I went in afterwards and it isn't a big shop at all, but it had a few items I wanted.

I have got a sneaking suspicion we have our hair cut at the same place. Except for me a haircut is long overdue!

The coffee shop is a great concept, I don't think it makes a lot of money though.

wondercollie

I received a few pieces of Moorcroft for a wedding present 30 odd years ago.  I just really like it.

My friend had a huge collection of the stuff and gifted me bits I'd randomly liked over the years.  She also collected Clarice Cliff (I know I haven't spelt it right) before it was really fashionable.

I remember one day when a disaster struck.   She poured coffee into her coffee pot and it split.   Turned out to be a very rare, limited run, only three were know to exist.   She was like, "oh, well, now there are two!   It's meant to be used!"

Ever since then I keep nothing for best.

Wednesday2000

Rosa_Damascena said:

Wednesday2000 said:

I went to get my hair cut today and I saw it was close to the Southend Mencap store. I went in afterwards and it isn't a big shop at all, but it had a few items I wanted.

I have got a sneaking suspicion we have our hair cut at the same place. Except for me a haircut is long overdue!

The coffee shop is a great concept, I don't think it makes a lot of money though.

Oh yes, I saw that coffee shop with the books/vinyl when I walked past. It did look interesting.