Are Charity Shops Having a Laugh?

[Reynard]

I love rummaging around in charity shops - they're great places for picking up books, DVDs, interesting fabrics and the odd handy gubbin. But is it me, or are they're having a laugh? Or giraffe...

One in town this morning had a tiny sterling flower pendant on a chain priced up somewhat more expensive than a very similar brand harry spankers pendant and chain in a jeweller's just a stone's throw away.

Last year, another charity shop in town had a vintage Singer sewing machine in their window display for £70 (shabby, non-working) when you can get the same machines (in working condition) elsewhere for a tenner-ish... They churned these out by the millions back in the day and there're still plenty around - I know, I have three of them.

The odd neat item can (and does) slip through the net and you can land a nice bargain, but on the whole, charity shops seem to be wildly overpriced, even on basics like crockery and clothes... I've seen Primark stuff selling for more than in Primark... At least you can haggle when you go to a boot sale...

 

[KnackeredBike]

That's what happens when you use slave labour to do your pricing.

If you are a bright spark you can still pick up bargains, though.

 

[marinyork]

Well at least you didn't pop down your 200 quid tools and come back a moment later and they were sold

Http:///www.bbc.co.uk/news/amp/39302001

 

[Chris S]

It's ebay all over again - people advertising things for three times what they eventually sell for.

 

[Bimble]

If you are a bright spark you can still pick up bargains, though.

That's hilarious.

 

[Freds Dad]

The charity shops in Alderley Edge are worth a mooch around. I got a lovely winter coat for £15 and some Ted Baker boots for £10 and neither looked as though they had been worn

 

[Drago]

As long as I can still buy used Y fronts at a decent price then I'm happy.

 

[Dayvo]

As long as I can still buy used Y fronts at a decent price then I'm happy.

Don't forget the pencils to complete the look.

 

[accountantpete]

They are mostly big business these days.

The majority of "charity" shops send all their donations to a hub. These are then sifted through and the good stuff is put on ebay. The rubbish, along with unsold ebay items, is then shipped back to the shop for sale. Any unsold goods in shops are then moved around to other shops within the chain.

 

[Lonestar]

They had a Ferrari in my local charity shop...I offered £50 but they weren't interested.

 

[Sandra6]

I think it depends on the charity, and the location of the shop.
There are a couple I know of, both serving local charities, where it is possible to get a really good deal. I don't think anything is ever priced over a fiver tbh.
Then there is Oxfam. They sell second hand items for more than they cost new in the shop down the road.

 

[gaz71]

The staff get the first pick, then customers get whats left.

Thats spot on.My missus works in a charity shop and she gets first pick on everything.Its not all bad though as she does bring me back plenty of cycling books.

 

[rich p]

and some Ted Baker boots for £10 and neither looked as though they had been worn

Unless it was a one-legged man, then it would be both or neither...

 

[Pat "5mph"]

You have a point @Reynard.
I stopped going to the local spca one for this reason.
I think sometimes they have managers a bit too profit orientated.
Could also be that the volunteers are not aware of how some of the stuff is priced new in shops.
I noticed that if they get lots of goods in they make them cheaper for quick shifting, books or dvds can suddenly become 3 for a pound, or a pound each next week.
Sometimes I don't mind paying a bit extra if I support the charity: as much as I love pets, I would not pay £ 4.99 for a CSI dvd (I collect them) in the spca's shop (they can be had for 1.99 on ebay) but I would in a Hospice shop - I like a bit of a challenge while collecting, I try not to use ebay too often.

 

[Accy cyclist]

I went into the British Heart Foundation's furniture and electrical goods shop in Blackburn today..Honestly nearly all the furniture they have is in very good condition and cheap. Leather settees for 100 quid(all professionally cleaned)tables with chairs 50 quid,wardrobes 20 quid etc. The TV's are a bit old though, but for a tenner they're a bargain. Someone said to me "They're ok but the thought of sleeping in someone else's bed or sprawling out on someone else's settee puts me off". Well what about when you go to a hotel. Do they get new stuff in for you?,i replied.