charity shop buys

I buy a lot of books, and always return them for re-sale. I haven’t had much luck with clothes though If I can find one I like, I also buy jigsaws.

Got brand new Hotter shoes in my size 4.5 for £6. Also was given an “ extra” free piece of jewellery at a Christmas Fair. When I unwrapped it was better than one purchased. It was a lovely necklace in suffragette colours. Well pleased. Books are always a good buy too.

My best buy sweaters even padded jackets have been from mens' wear in large retailers at sale time.
Mens' small which fit myself as a Wms 12/14 are in abundance. Looking around I believe the manufacturers need to reconsider what exactly is a 'small size' man these days.

My best bargain from a charity shop, was on holiday in the Lake District.
I was passing a well -known charity shop, when I saw a
really unusual hat in the window, it turned out to be a
Philip Tracy and priced at £25.
I was lucky to have got it as it had only just been put in the window.

I volunteer in a charity shop,which is clean and does smell nice ?I really only buy underwear new/full price now..95% of my clothes are from the charity shop..have had some amazing bargains!!!

I have bought some nice costume jewelly and books and when I wanted to get rid of my large dining table , bought a small folding one which they delivered and took away the unwanted one. When my sister worked in a Cancer Research shop she said they sorted out anything of value and sold it at auction.

EllanVannin
Troublemaker, trying to needle you and others.

It seems affluent areas are the places to go - my friend has a sister who is married to a staggeringly wealthy man, lives in west London, and rarely bothers to have lovely skirts, coats etc. cleaned after one or two wearings - she offers them to my friend or donates to her local shop. My friend looks stunning every time I see her in her sister's cast offs, and friend also told me she walked past her sister's charity shop on a recent visit and the window was filled with her clothes.

I too am a bookworm and source many from charity shops howevrr, I've bought more from Amazon lately.
No really notable clothing purchases except a dark blue denim jacket with pearl buttons for £4.50 and a pair of F&F tan suede ankle boots for £4 which are supremely comfortsble and worth the £11 they cost to be heeled.

Many years ago I bought an ornament in a charity shop which I had liked since I was a child (the Balloon lady). It was just £2 which I thought was a bargain. On closer inspection it turned out to be a rare one because of the colours used and it was later valued at £ 300! Since then I've never found any other great bargains; clothes are usually well worn or even grubby and household items often stained or damaged. I think it really makes a difference what area the shop is in, my aunt lived in Kensington and found some fabulous bargains in charity shops there.

My Gran gave me an ornament which belonged to her so very old. It was very pretty - lambs and primroses. I found the exact same in one in a charity shop for £1.30 about 10 years ago..As there were no markings on the bottom I guess they didn't know its age. However, these days, I think experts look over the stuff and I haven't bought much in a charity shop since I spent £1.50 on some stationery which I then saw in the £1 shop.

I recently spent all of £3.45 in our charity shop and bought a brand new denim skirt which fits me perfectly, two dolls' hats, a doll's nightie, two cds and a cookery book.

When we moved here we supplemented our furniture with a table, a counter, a desk and various other bits and pieces very cheaply too.

I've had loads of bargains - Hugo Boss charcoal grey men's suit, looked like it had never been worn (pockets were still still stitched up) £25.00! Black Cashmere ladies v neck - £5.00; at least 6 Ralph Lauren oxford shirts (shared between hubby and sons), none more than £5.00; immaculate Men's Ted Baker crombi cashmere coat - £25.00; Zara lacy top, that was still on sale in their shop last month -£4.00. But the best buy of all (about 10 years ago) was a Christian Dior men's navy suit, looked like new - £5.00!!! My son was over the moon!!

My GC and GGC were all well kitted out when they were babies/toddlers courtesy of charity shops. I couldn't have managed without them tbh.
I've always begrudged paying high prices for clothing even for myself.
Next on the agenda are a change of toys to keep here for when the kiddies come. Plenty of bundles online.

Only ever found one thing I liked in a charity shop it was a blouse. I only go into to buy books and have a nose around.

Another charity shop fan, here! All of DH's shirts come from charity shops - all are cotton & are "good" makes. I occasionally buy clothes & have bought countless books & household items. It's accepted in our family that gifts may be bought in charity shops - a real badge of pride! When GCs were on the way I bought loads of beautiful babywear and toys. As they say in the USA: What's not to love?

My best bargain was an anorak priced at £6.50, but when I went to pay for it the assistant said "I'm sorry, but I can't sell this. Its got a rip." There was a small rip where the lining met the seam. When I said I really wanted it she said 'All right, you can have it for 1p.''That was 5 years ago and I still wear it most of the winter, and at other times if the weather warrants it. I even take it abroad as it is light and not crushable. .
I don't really wear hats except to weddings and get them from the charity shops. As wealthy ladies only wear them once you can get terrific and beautiful hats at a fraction of the new price.

My DIL is a whiz in charity shops she gets some amazing bargains. A few years ago they were invited to a very posh do. She went to her favourite shop and asked had they anything upstairs from Christmas. She had a little black dress, lovely stole and brand new shoes (label still in!) all for £13.50p She borrowed a bag from me. SORTED! She looked a million dollars.

I remember my Aunt who volunteered in Tenovus for 30yrs telling me that if you ever wanted a hat for a Wedding then go to a charity shop. People buy hats for special occasions and take them straight to the shop.

I have a few buy to let and have bought a couple of dining room tables and chairs in excellent condition. I liked one so much i kept it for my house and b2l got mine instead. I also buy books and children's toys especially cars and trains for when dgc come.

HAZBEEN you sound just like me! I also have chronic arthritis in both knees and left hip, and my recliner chair is starting to make ominous noises ! Must check charity shops before it gives up the ghost ? Btw I’m having the left knee replaced on 1st April

We too simply love bargains! We try to attend all the local Vide Greniers [car boot sales, as charity shops per se do not exist here]. Last summer, saw a couple selling a beautiful Bochara carpet, clean, good condition, no tears, fringes intact. Only problem was, we were both on our bicycles. Never mind! Squashed it into a huge carrier bag, brought it home, and shook it. Next day gave it a thorough cleaning and sold it for €80.-- Original cost ..... €7.--

I've never found anything worth having at a charity shop except some wool for a craft project our WI needed.
We have a lot of them in High Street too. I always think they smell funny too.
The only good one is the RSPCA shop that holds an annual craft evening when they bring out all the craft stuff that has been donated & stay open late. I have picked up some very good bargains then.

I am not successful buying clothes in Charity shops, but I always buy books and Christmas cards there. I donate books and some clothes which have shrunk in the wardrobe!

I went out for lunch yesterday wearing my Gerry Weber sweater. It came from a charity shop and cost around £4. I've bought a room full of toys for the grandchildren and buy all my books for 50p at the charity shops. Bargain last week was a large bag of mixed yarn for £5. I knit for charity so it will go back as hats, mittens, scarfs etc.,

I go to many charity shops - mostly for books and to try to add to my dinner service (why do I always find China etc that matches friends' dinner services, but not mine?), but often find now an unpleasant smell, and I'm told it's from the steam cleaners that the staff use to freshen up donated clothes - really puts me off.