Charity shop tips

tatts_2

I do the same with my books, I read about 3 a week on average ( I suffer from insomnia! lol) and it'd cost me a fortune to buy them brand new! I always read mine, then take them back to the charity shop afterwards, I know some of the workers in there read them without paying and then put them out for sale, which seems a little unfair really (they only cost 30p each in our RSPCA shop!)
Went into ours today and bought a huge amount of lace ( brand new) for 35p, and loads of brand new hobbycraft packs of mulberry flowers, for 50p a pack (price ticket from HC says £2.75!) got chatting to the volunteer,a nd she's sorting out a box load for me that had come in but hadnt been put out yet. ( I make handmade cards etc)
........as I dont work for them anymore, I havent got the time in the day unfortunately, I make them cards to sell instead. (no payment is made to me!) there always very grateful for them and they always sell well, feels good to do something now I cant give them some of my time anymore (though they get a lot of my money as Im always hunting for crafty bits in there, and theres always tons! lol)

we rarely had items that were dirty or smelly donated when I worked there, but when my son wrecked his clothes ( putting holes in trousers etc, as boys tend to do!) I bagged them up and labeled them for the ragman ( to save staff time having to look through the bag!) and they were paid up to £5 by the ragman for each bag (I believe these go to recycling centres for the materials??) Worth asking if your charity shop does the same thing? (I know not all of them do)

In all fairness, although we used to get discounted items in the charity shop fgor working there, I used ot spend around £10/£15 each time I worked there,and it was only a minor discount compared to the shop prices........!(Bit like tescos luring you in and you only intend to buy a loaf of bread and you end up doing almost a weeks shop! rofl)

Do volunteer if you have time to give them, its interesting work and not only are you helping out, it also looks good on your cv when applying for other jobs! (bonus! lol)
( I have reccomended it to poeple I know trying to get jobs, whove been off work for a long time, as it helps them get back into the swing of thinsg and gets them experience, helps out the charity and looks good for when applying for another job! .There is only benefits to be had when you help out see! *grin* lol)

Prudent

bravebrat wrote:

I agree some charity shops are far too greedy. Surely the money is of far more use to the poor,homeless, hungry and needy etc than it is hanging on hangers waiting to be sold.Lets face it - people go to charity shops for a bargain. If they wanted to pay high prices they would go to High Street stores. One charity shop in our village sells stuff very cheaply - they believe in a fast turnover of goods and take great delight in displaying how much money they have made for the charity at the end of each month, together with stating a big thank you to everyone who has donated goods.Why cant other Charity shops follow suit. Another charity shop turned me away with my donations - just after the Tsunami - I was quite horrified as I felt that I was doing my bit for the poor, homeless, hungry and needy. If they dropped the very high prices their turnover would be far quicker and they would not turn donations away. I was not the only one turned away. As for selling things on Ebay. As long as the charity shop gets what it is asking for - good luck to the enterprising charity shoppers. :A

I live in a scottish village and wonder if we are talking about the same shop here? I call it my favourite shop, I buy most things that I can from there as the prices are so good. Another town about four miles away has a bigger selection of charity shops, but the prices aren't nearly so good. When I was really struggling financially for a time, I much apprecitated them. I give them everything I no longer want - and so it is recycled. When I first moved into this house, which was smaller than my last, I gave them about 18 big black bags of toys, clothes and household goods. Nothing was turned away (I did carefully check clothes etc first that they were in good condition).

I like the idea of recycling everything -apart from food and underwear, I buy most things from boot sales and charity shops. It seem a simple and appropriate way to be responsible. A win -win situation. We get good things cheap and charity benefits -when I donate them back this continues.

lily_the_pink

bravebrat wrote:

I agree some charity shops are far too greedy. Surely the money is of far more use to the poor,homeless, hungry and needy etc than it is hanging on hangers waiting to be sold.Lets face it - people go to charity shops for a bargain. If they wanted to pay high prices they would go to High Street stores. One charity shop in our village sells stuff very cheaply - they believe in a fast turnover of goods and take great delight in displaying how much money they have made for the charity at the end of each month, together with stating a big thank you to everyone who has donated goods.Why cant other Charity shops follow suit. Another charity shop turned me away with my donations - just after the Tsunami - I was quite horrified as I felt that I was doing my bit for the poor, homeless, hungry and needy. If they dropped the very high prices their turnover would be far quicker and they would not turn donations away. I was not the only one turned away. As for selling things on Ebay. As long as the charity shop gets what it is asking for - good luck to the enterprising charity shoppers. :A

I have almost given up browsing in charity shops - I used to buy a fair bit of clothing but these days it is either not very nice (and I look in good areas) or so overly priced for something that is second hand that I wont pay. (5.99 for a jumper for example). Ditto pottery/bric a brac. Books I occaisionally buy but even they have increased in price recently. There are some shops I go in and I see the same item week after week - charity shops can do this because they have subsidised rent (in the sense that they do not have to pay the business rates I think).

Although I dont think it is immoral to sell stuff bought from charity shops on Ebay etc, it is a fair cop for them to get experts in to value the decent stuff (even selling in seperate auctions if this is going to get the money in) - they would be betraying their charitable aims otherwise. However, I really wish they would learn to price realistically with all the rest of the tatt that they sell.

missdrexie

I used to buy a lot in charity shops a few years ago when a period of unemployment made things really difficult with 2 children. Am now in a better financial position, altho still money saving! I now regularly donate all used but still good condition clothes, toys etc, in the hope that others less fortunate can be helped whilst the charity makes money for it's cause. I won't enter the debate on profiteering by some people, but please don't be put off donating as some people shop in them out of necessity.

Busybody

:mad: I have been a charity shop buyer and browser for years, I cant walk past one I have to go in.
Some do annoy me with the prices they charge! I think they are being a bit foolish when its the January sale time at every other shop in town and charity shops are probably charging more than you can pick a new one up a couple of doors down!

I realise they have overheads but as someone said earlier and I have said for years a quicker turnover would suit everyone, nothing is more offputting than going in week after week and seeing the same old stuff at the same high price. :mad:

bibbly

there is one near to me that sells ALL adult clothes for £1 and children's for 50p. it's ALWAYS packed and it's huge. their stuff goes in and flies straight out. it's fantastic for an hour's browse!

they also sell all their paperback books for 25p so i always stock up when i go there (avid reader!) and better than paying £6.99 for brand new books.

bibbly x

sheryldoc

I always shop in them for books..

However 3 days before crimbo I was in a state bcoz we were skint and I felt i didnt have a BIG present for our son.. walked past Bernardos and did a double take.. the DELUX Thomas Tank train set.. box was perfect cond.. asked if all bits were there young lad serving said yes as he built it up when it came in.. it was £49.99 in woolies.. A FIVER!..

I swear I could have cried.. it felt like such a weight had lifted..and my son and his dad were both over moon LoL.. sat playing for hours.. jst shows you!..

So now Ill have a look around rather than go right to the books!

FannyHill

I find the major charity shops too expensive. I've seen items for sale at more than the new price.

I also believe that once you buy something from a charity shop it's yours do with as you wish. That includes selling it for more than you paid if you choose and are successful but....... you may not always be able to do that.

I've sometimes bought clothing worn it a few times and then donated it back.

buxton2006

I regulary visit charity shops too. I also donate a lot of our clothes to them. Am often curious what price they put on them, often find they are priced up more than I paid for them! This annoys me as they just won;t get sold. I buy books before I go on my hols from them, after I're read them give them back to the same shop.
Best charity shops I've found are the ones in London, there;s a great Oxfam on marylebone hight st that sells cd and vinyl promo (or it used to when I last went).

thriftyjo

I love charity shops and think that most of the volunteers are fab! I buy from and donate to them. I have been in one of our regular shops and my daughter picked up something that was extremely over priced so I said so! The staff didn't seem to be offended and I hope they took my advice and lowered the price. Any shop needs it's customers so if you have a comment to make then do so! You could always put it in writing. If you don't then they don't get the customers opinion ...
I had once been looking at a jumper in Mackays was lovely soft cashmere wool but too expensive went into the charity shop accross the road and got the exact same jumper for under a fiver! I was so made up!