Let Thrift shopping thrive in 25!

D123456789

It is interesting regarding pricing levels at charity shops. Most near me are super expensive apart from kids books which look like new and are 3 for £1

i do go out of London to a hospice charity shop who accept any donations, express delight when clothes are donated that have been washed!! They put everything out and unless it’s designer or with new tags on then everything is £1.

They put dates on so anything there too long (couple weeks) goes on the rail outside and gets nicked - disposal problem solved…

Magpie100

@Coxy11 I know Colchester quite well (went to school there 30 years ago!). I was last there for a 50th in May and did the charity shops then. There are loads. No particular recommendations - there is a lot of variety in pricing. The St Helen's (or St Helena's) generally has high-end stuff in it and I think there is a vintage branch of it, too. Most are on the High St. Oh - the Dogs Trust was expensive but very boutiqe-y and nice. Have fun! 

suzeesu2000

Goodness I’ve been super lucky then as everything I’ve had from Vinted has been wonderful and really nice sellers. Lucky old me.

We have a lovely McMillan Hospice charity shop, supports the island hospice, in the village whose prices are very reasonable. Bit further down the road we have a Red Cross one but the prices in there I find frightening, maybe I’m just a tightwad! 😁

cbsexec

It would be interesting if it was possible to find out the sales at each shop to see if they were up or down.  I may be totally wrong and the expensive shops make a fortune and are doing the right thing (but I have yet to be convinced).  Did buy an enamel utensil pot for £2 which I was pleased with 😀

Rosa_Damascena

Magpie100 said:

@Coxy11 I know Colchester quite well (went to school there 30 years ago!). I was last there for a 50th in May and did the charity shops then. There are loads. No particular recommendations - there is a lot of variety in pricing. The St Helen's (or St Helena's) generally has high-end stuff in it and I think there is a vintage branch of it, too. Most are on the High St. Oh - the Dogs Trust was expensive but very boutiqe-y and nice. Have fun! 

I don't understand why The Dog's Trust is so pricey, but its the same in South Essex (judging by the *Rayleigh branch). Havens is the local hospice here and a community beacon, it has my unwavering support as an organisation over and above its chazzer-offerings.

*ETA: The fuschia evening gown I bought during the BH weekend came from the CRUK directly opposite and I bought a lovely Swarovski-like necklace for my mum at the same place for a very reasonable price.

Coxy11

Thank you @Magpie100 for the intel. I’ve looked on googlemaps and am thinking of getting the park and ride into town. Luckily Mum is also a chazzer shopper so we will do a loop. Will report back with any bargain finds!! 

Rosa_Damascena

Coxy11 said:

Thank you @Magpie100 for the intel. I’ve looked on googlemaps and am thinking of getting the park and ride into town. Luckily Mum is also a chazzer shopper so we will do a loop. Will report back with any bargain finds!! 

That is what you call strategic chazzing 

cbsexec

After my moan about prices I found a shop which was closing for a “refit”. (Do charity shops need to spend their money on refits?)  Everything half price 😀.  So bought a couple of lovely toys 3 books some Christmas games in tins and a cd audio book for the grand sum of £4.   I think I actually paid even less than half price.   

DigForVictory

I saw one 'refitted' with extra shelving & display racks - there was hardly space to walk past someone browsing. Shockingly, it was re-refitted about 4 months later! (The competition had meanwhile removed a rack to promote pushchair & wheelchair friendly and was still thriving a year after.)

Coxy11

The strategic chazzer shopping netted me a large vintage platter for £3.50 and a pot for £1.99. All clothing very ambitiously priced so came away empty handed. Did discover a vintage/pre loved haberdashery shop and got 5 fat quarters doe £3 total. Loved the park n ride which was £4 return for the two of us 😊