MCEM, I'm always making donations-----have a couple by direct debit, regularly, why ??
Formal letters using my first name
I went into one of our local shops on Friday and bought a beautiful 100% cashmere v neck sweater.It is navy blue and although it is gents jumper when i tried it on it looked fine. Wore it today with navy jeans and it looks perfect. So soft yet so warm and only 4.00. When i googled the price of a new one 90-100pounds depending on the brand. Got to be my bargain of the year so far. 
MCEM, I'm always making donations-----have a couple by direct debit, regularly, why ??
I had a major cull of my cookery books and went into an Oxfam bookshop to ask if they wanted them.
The lady I spoke to considered the question for a second or two and then said, ‘I’d rather have a French pastry.’
I thought it was a brilliant answer.
I found Errol side table in immaculate condition for£40 came home looked online same one one £295 happy days
I could not find plain wine glasses until I looked in my local charity shop. I cannot remember how much they cost but it was a 1/4 of the price of new ones and these did not look as though they had been used.
A large room has been devoted to books so I spend a lot of time there, needing books like a hole in the head.
I have bought most of the toys the grandchildren have at our house from various charity shops.Have had lots of books,jigsaws and been lucky enough to have some brand new items.
My best bargain was a riser/recliner chair almost brand new for £40. My old chair had given up the ghost and I was struggling to get up after sitting as I have arthritis in both knees and my left hip (need replacements!). New chairs cost upwards of £500 and there was no way I could afford one.
I often buy books and most of them are real bargains.
Now and then an item of clothing leaps out at me. Some good jeans last summer for instance.
I like to think of them as recycled not second-hand.
We cleared out our loft not long ago, so dh could re-board and re insulate it.
A mass of stuff went to charity shops, and I do still wonder what on earth we gave to one shop, when that stuff alone had raised over £200! There was a pair of (IIRC) Wedgwood vases that had come from a relative's house, so could have been them, but we'd never have wanted them anyway, so the shop was welcome to them.
Another shop took a huge bone china dinner service, tureens and everything - that had belonged to MiL, and I think her mother, but I never once saw MIL use it, and personally, besides having no room for it, I found it hideous. But somebody evidently liked it - just as well we don't all share the same tastes!
Found a Kangol hat, maroon, fluffy, appeared unworn, in a charity shop for £2.50. The first time I wore it someone admired it on the bus.
I stopped buying clothing, from anywhere, when I was 70, judging I have enough in my small wardrobe to keep me going for life.
I'll buy necessary underwear from the $2 shop. Although I often feel I'm contributing to slavery by doing so, I can see that local clothing stores source theirs from the same place - but charge 10 times more. 
It depends where you shop. I volunteered in a local charity shop for years and we got lots of expensive clothes donated because this is an affluent town with all the overpriced women’s shops. Our prices reflected this.
Tomorrow I have to find something scarlet to make a Little Red Ridinghood cape for World Book Day.
I never find clothes but have bought some nice china and pottery, books and a nice little handbag which comes out for special occasions
I must not buy any more china - repeat
The charity shops these days often have eagle eyed valuers or at least employees who realise when something of value has been donated mcem.
Someone donated in good faith, the shop sold it in good faith and whoever buys the item does likewise.
As well as donating to charity you are also saving the world.
The fewer new clothes we buy the less pollution.
At the moment I’m bidding on eBay for shoes. Sorry but I have been looking in charity shops for a couple of months now with no luck.
Went to a family wedding last year. My dress, 1960s Jaeger linen, came from Oxfam, my 1980/90s navy jacket came from our local hospice shop and my handbag from British Red cross shop. Only my shoes were new.
In my time I bought a Harrods winter coat for my DD for £1 (she was 2 years old at the time), later a beautiful but well used coach built doll's pram
Those are just the highlights.
Bought a David Emanuel top last year £2.50 and seeing as though I also work there got 20% off
not worn it yet,every time I try it on I don't seem to suit it, so think it will be donated back very soon.
I never find clothes I like, not that I look very often since it's always disappointing.
Dd finds masses - there are evidently better charity shops where she lives. Nearly all her clothes come from charity shops - often like new or even with the label still on - dresses that'd be £60 or more new, for under a tenner.
However I do buy books, and also found a fantastic fairy castle thing with 'princesses' for Gdcs to play with when they visit. Very popular, and IMO a bargain at £8.
In same shop (hospice) found an expensive-brand coat for Gds - like new, for £4. Would retail at £40+.
So EV did your windfall enable you to make a donation to the charity?
I have. Bought lots of clothes always in lovely condition, my working wadrobe is made up of mostly charity shop clothing ,and I am always receiving compliments on the things I wear. If I’m honest it is rare I pay full price for work clothes, I also donate really good clothes to charity shops, it’s a win win situation. I love them.
I have bought lovely glasses in charity shops and lots of books and CD’s but have never been lucky with clothes
Urmstonegran
Go back!
You get the box
The charity shop will be making extra money from the selling box and china separate.
Everybody wins
I quite often take my DGS to what they call the Special shop.
My one little grandson loves farm and zoo animals which are quite expensive in the toy shops
It is very unusual if he comes away without even one animal.
A couple of weeks ago he bought a large mixed bag full of farm and zoo animals for 75p.
He was a very happy chappie
My best bargain so far is a Joseph Ribkoff dress. Looked like new, probably not worn much. Cost £20, retails at £285.
I've had some brilliant bargains over the years and I love hearing about others who've had the same.
My best bargain a few years ago online in a charity shop has to be a ring ( costume jewellery as written up as ) it was £8 and £2 delivery-----when it arrived it was a 9ct diamond cluster ring, though the picture didn't give it credit I had an inkling it wasn't just a costume piece.
I'd have put it at £99 to £100 maybe more ? in a jewellers.
Yesterday passing a Cancer Research shop I spotted a gorgeous box in the window (I love boxes). I was already planning what I could put in it. Aargh! The beautiful box was £10 because inside was a china cup, saucer and plate. I like china mugs so I knew I wouldn’t use these. Spent a good while trying to justify spending £10 on a box and leaving the china behind in the shop. Hmm. I may go back tomorrow......
Why are men's sweaters so much better than women's?
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