What’s your best charity shop bargain?

Many years ago, a pair of Ted Lapidus needlecord trousers which I wore until they fell apart. Think they were about £2.50. More recently a new soft Italian leather coat (probably not pc these days) for £9. As my books are all still in boxes awaiting shelves to be constructed, I’ve been buying more in the local charity shops which I pass on to DD who passes them on to friends. Hopefully they end up back in another shop

That would not sit well with me either I enjoy giving so someone gets to re purpose something not profit from it.

Marydoll

I have a friend, who trawls charity shops for bargains and then makes a profit selling on Ebay.
She has even asked for her money back on items, if she gets home and changes her mind.
That does not sit well with me at all.

I wouldn't ask for my money back, but I see no harm in someone selling on things they buy. The point of a charity shop is to raise money for the charity, to allow people to buy things cheaply, to take unwanted items off people's hands, and to keep items out of landfill. Aren't all of those things fulfilled if someone sells them on on eBay, whether for profit or because they don't fit?

I do have a beef with shop workers creaming off the best items though. I recently had a big clearout and sent a lot of bags and shoes to the local 'boutique' charity shop that sells higher end items. My husband took them in for me in relays, and said that the assistants were waiting for him to come in, and were clearly going to keep some of the goods themselves. I'm not for a moment suggesting that they wouldn't pay for them, but that's not really the point.

My best buy wasn't a designer item with a massive saving, but a summer dress that I've worn a lot. I paid a fiver for it in a charity shop I passed on holiday. I'd packed for cooler weather and was desperate for something cool to wear, and it was in the window. That must have been five years ago, and it gets worn every year. It's very fine cotton so packs up small, and is loose and comfortable. I love it.

I have a friend, who trawls charity shops for bargains and then makes a profit selling on Ebay.
She has even asked for her money back on items, if she gets home and changes her mind.
That does not sit well with me at all.

I went to a local charity shop and I’m pretty sure the woman serving me was wearing the shirt I had donated! At least it wasn’t in landfill.

A ' Double Two Lady ' shirt in a quiet check . long with wide armholes , and made of a fine soft cotton that drapes beautifully and never needs ironing. I bought it in Age Concern about twenty years ago and it's still a favourite.

Double Two don't seem to make that quality any more.

Our yarn group often receive donations of wool.
When we do our charity knits we use the donated wool.

Beanies, baby cardigans, gloves and scarves are made for various charities

Nothing so impressive, but then I don’t trawl charity shops much - I’ve so rarely found anything I’ve wanted when I have.
Dds must have better charity shops - they often find lovely virtually new dresses that would have cost £60+ new, for £8-10.

My own best buy was a big Disney Princess castle when Gdd1 was 2 - there are 3 Gdcs now, eldest is nearly 8, and they still play with it every time they visit. It cost me £8 - and the original batteries (it ‘sings’) are still working!

There was also a very expensive-brand, apparently new raincoat for a Gds of 2 - for £4.

I've had so many as mainly shop from charity shops but last year we got brand new Charles Twyritt suit and shirt for £80
His suits normally start at around 250+ . My husband wore it for our daughters wedding

I am knitting squares for a local Dementia group to make cuddle blankets. Just recently my best buy was a bundle of various balls of wool from the nearest YMCA for £1.50. I was delighted as the other charity shops charge the same as the high street. Keeps the cost down for me and I can happily knit my squares knowing they will be very useful.

Fanny I have thought the same thing. People finding wads of money in bags or pockets of clothing bought in a charity shop or the items on antique roadshow bought fir a fiver valued at £££s.
Though yes charity shops need to price high value items a bit better.
I think the £20 plimsoles I bought were actually over priced but didn’t mind.

Hat for my Daughters wedding , still had the tag from a local posh shop , it was £10 , I wore it and gave it back to the charity shop to resell

Last week I bought a Hobbs dress for £7.00, still being sold by them for £110.
One of our hospice shops sells all the higher end donations. I’ve frequently found clothes in there being sold for more than the original price!

A very elegant jug that is just the right colour to be an 'accent' in my living room.
I'm not good at interior design but was really delighted with this £2's worth.

Re your Hermes scarf.
I despair of charity shops selling things for ridiculous prices.

Did you make a charity donation from your profits? (Not being judgey, just wondering)

Diamond and sapphire bracelet. Sitting on an open shelf along with plastic bracelets and necklaces. £5.

I love a trawl through our local Charity Shop and found Chanel cashmere jumper, current price £700, for £8.

I bought some Hotter plimsoles for £20 in a charity shop, probably overpriced/overpaid but I consider it a contribution to a children’s hospice charity.

Oldbat1

Some hardly used waterproof Hotter walking shoes retail price £90ish cost me £7. I wear them every day to walk dogs.

Wow! Great find. 👏👏

Some hardly used waterproof Hotter walking shoes retail price £90ish cost me £7. I wear them every day to walk dogs.