Charity shop bargain

I'm perfectly happy if I buy something that I wouldn't be able to afford, or justify at its full price. I recently found a very nice Seasalt dress for £9, and I've got a Guess handbag that was £25. If I found something that was really valuable I would point it out.

About 20 years ago I went into a charity shop in South Kensington with my husband. He was 6' 4" and a bit overweight and he said what a pity it was that there were never any men's clothes in his size. The lady in the shop said that a man had come in that week with three Armani suits that would have fitted him, but unfortunately someone had come in and bought them all the following day!

Basgetti

That sounds about right 😃

I'm frilled.

I don't really think it's profiting if you actually use the bargain yourself, it's a lovely feeling if you're on a limited budget to find something beautiful or luxurious that would normally be way beyond your price range.

There's a Barnado's clearance shop near me and I'm so grateful to have found many pieces there which have enabled me to dress well at minimum cost.

I suppose a not so moral area is when an absolute bargain is sold for a big profit online and no further donation made back to the charity, that always feels a bit mean to me.

That sounds about right 😃

No not odd, spot on.

I was driving past a charity shop and there was a parking spot so putted in, not one I'm used to.

Its not a posh one, so I was thrilled to find a lovely new perfectly fitting Seasalt blue cotton lawn dress (two layers, lined) ☺️ It was £12, not selling too cheap, but looks great.

(Actually I once walked a couple of miles back to Tesco when I realised I hadn’t paid for the nappies I’d tucked in the basket under the pram. The security person clearly thought I was weird. So yes, I probably am 😁)

I’ve used charity shops for probably 40 years.
I’m really uncomfortable with the idea of people profiting hugely from finds. I’ve read all of the comments but still find it difficult to understand how anyone in all conscience could.
I once found a diamond and ruby ring inside the zipped pocket of an handbag I’d bought for about £3. I immediately took it back to the shop, BHF.
Perhaps I’m odd 🤷‍♀️

I love charity shops, both to donate to and to buy from. I have lots of roses in my garden and wanted an old fashioned vase with a metal type holder in it for them. I found a beautiful glass vase with a glass separator for only £5. I use it every summer. On the other hand, we have donated lots of nice clean quality clothes to our local hospice shop over the years. I like to donate to local charities rather than Oxfam or Save the Children etc. the local hospice shops rely on donations to keep them going.

Charity shop prices vary of course. This is an affluent town and we get good quality clothes donated. The shop is there to raise money, not to clothe people cheaply. I don’t mind paying £15 for an item which cost £65 when new, nor £2 each for books.

I've done various jobs over the years, including as a charity shop manager, and it's amazing what we get donated!

About 22 years ago, I had a lady come in with a man's suit, all complete - shoes, trousers, jacket, vest, shirt, pocket hankie, hat, etc., saying it belonged to her brother who died recently. It was in perfect condition, brand new, and he's only worn them once before passing.

She said they were from Savils.

I took the entire lot to a Savil's shop and asked, and they told me the lot was almost £7,000 worth!

I put £1,200 on it, and it was sold less than 24 hours later!

I buy a lot of things from charity shops, except undies, perfumes and so on.

Local Oxfam shop is my go to for books, dressing up costumes for Hallowe'en, scarves, donations of unwanted gifts.
Recycling at its best.

Basgetti most charity shops are aware of value and pricing, and have do have things valued. I found a lovely Liberty scarf at £5 . I did point it out and was told oh yes we do know and are happy with that.I also had my eye on a picture but was told it was going to be valued.
You can always give a donation if you wish

Basgetti

Does no-one feel a little guilty profiting from charity shop finds? I mean, the person who donated the item wanted to benefit the charity, not enrich a shopper?

The definition of profiteering is taking advantage of an unfair situation^ etc.
The charity shop puts a price on goods that they think they can realistically get.
If someone makes a profit on those goods that’s up to them.
We have donations all the time that we know are worth far more than our customers can afford.
We put as much as we can on eBay.
Your views and opinions on charity shops is a little skewed.

Op = opportunity BlueBelle We don’t call them charity shops because it is considered a rude description ! The Salvos have big signs congratulating buyers for recycling things, good for them!

watermeadow, I'm a cross stitcher and find donated Aida and threads are regular finds in charity shops. I suspect that people are clearing out the houses of relatives.
I knit as well, but find the yarn stashes less of interest. There are often small quantities, which are of limited use - most knitters have a collection of odd balls of wool left from previous projects.
I think that this is recycling at its best. Someone who has no internet in cross stitch does not send the materials to land fill, I enjoy using them, and the charity receives my money.

Nothing wrong in shoppers bagging a bargain in a charity shop, no need to feel guilty about it at all. If shoppers felt too guilty to shop in a charity shop the charity would not make the money it needs. And those who donate, as I do quite regularly, are quite often as pleased to clear their cupboards as they are to benefit a charity, is a win all round.

In an op shop
What does op stand for nanna8 ?

Basgetti

Does no-one feel a little guilty profiting from charity shop finds? I mean, the person who donated the item wanted to benefit the charity, not enrich a shopper?

But it’s a two way process, it does both the things you state, it benefits the shopper ( cheaper item) it benefits the charity
( money in the coffers) and it benefits the world (a tad less landfill)
How can that not be good

When we lived in Tasmania I started to collect Huon pine carved fruit ( apples, pears etc) a they are hand turned and beautiful but not cheap. In an op shop last week I got a bag with 3 lovely ones in plus a set of cup placemats and some embroidery silks all for $8. Made my day.

CV2020

I got a Michael Kors bag on Thursday for £15 in our local hospice charity shop It retails fur £350. Result!

My point exactly.

I got a Michael Kors bag on Thursday for £15 in our local hospice charity shop It retails fur £350. Result!

Basgetti

Does no-one feel a little guilty profiting from charity shop finds? I mean, the person who donated the item wanted to benefit the charity, not enrich a shopper?

But they are benefiting the charity??

Most charities now have more realisation of designer brands these days and have a rail or even a separate shop for those. the local hospice is very big all over our city, and they have a "boutique" shop. Probably that tote bag would be £60 there or something but still a bargain. They had a sale there a few months ago and I got 2 lovely things a new Regatta jacket and a dress I've only dreamed of (which needs some taking in, just needs An Occasion)

Basgetti

Does no-one feel a little guilty profiting from charity shop finds? I mean, the person who donated the item wanted to benefit the charity, not enrich a shopper?

But the Charity does benefit… why shouldn’t the buyer feel pleased to find a bargain?

Does no-one feel a little guilty profiting from charity shop finds? I mean, the person who donated the item wanted to benefit the charity, not enrich a shopper?