AIBU to think charity shops shouldn't be a dirty little secret?

[LunaLoveg00d]

I volunteer in a charity shop not far from where I live. It's a fairly affluent area and we get very good quality donations. Last week I sorted a whole bag of brand new, still with the tag on Joules/Boden/SeaSalt type things.

It's a busy wee shop and there is a constant stream of people dropping stuff off, and buying too. One lady was buying a fabulous hat to wear to a relative's wedding, she showed me the outfit it was to go with and we agreed it was perfect, and that she'd look amazing. I rang it through the till and said "And don't forget to tell them you got it here if anyone asks!"

She gave me the most evil stare I've had in a long time and said "As if I'd admit shopping in a charity shop!"

Why is it something to be ashamed of?? All of my friends love a good charity shop, we could all afford to buy new but there's nothing like knowing you've got a bargain. Our shop regularly has vintage clothing in which you just couldn't get in the shops anyway.

[BuddyC4t]

I don't think it is! I love charity shops!

[DontKnowWhatImDoingHere]

I'm not ashamed! I love charity shops too. I've found some real bargains. I go at least once a week.

[FutureGadgetsLab]

I don't think it is? Lots of my friends love charity shops for clothes, I'm an awkward shape so while I don't get clothes I get lots of vintagey house decor from them.

[DontKnowWhatImDoingHere]

No one willing to share their bra knowledge?

[LilQueenie]

I used to feel that way but would never say it. Now I am happy to admit it and most of my family are the same. clutters the house a bit though. its much the same with ebay. A lot of people wont admit to buying on ebay as they associate it with used goods.

[MumOnTheRunCatchingUp]

I don't think there's any real stigma to it

But the bargains certainly are not what they used to be!

[LadyAntonella]

It isn't!

I tell everyone I can when I find something especially nice in a charity shop. Maybe I'm doing it wrong...

[CarrotVan]

Any size 10-12 stuff? Where's the shop?

I buy most of my stuff in charity shops as so most of my sisters. It means I have a high quality wardrobe at Primark prices

[LilQueenie]

I just with they took more care with the sizing. I bought DD a few items. A pair of next trousers was labelled 5/6 and was actually a 9/10. I get judging sizes when there is no tag but its annoying. You often get carried away and forget to check when having to rifle through and keep an eye on a child who is sure she needs to show you every toy on display. The skirt was great too but labelled 5/6 when it was actually 5. Big difference in how long that will fit.

The bra question. Was that meant for another thread or did I miss something?

[LunaLoveg00d]

Depends what you mean by bargains - we have a pricing policy to split things into value (Primark, supermarket brands), midrange (Next, M&S, Debenhams etc) or premium (upmarket brands or something still with tags on).

So a blouse from Primark would be around £3, from M&S or Wallis around £5 or from Reiss or Jigsaw around £8. If we get designer stuff in we make a decision based on each item.

Many of the old dears though that work in the shop haven't a clue - had to stop someone throwing the most gorgeous black velvet tulip skirt vintage 80s cocktail dress in the rag bag because "it didn't look very modern". Also they think that I can perform some sort of witchcraft with my phone by coming up with prices for things using Google rather than discussing it at length over a cuppa.

I am going to a posh black tie event in the summer and it's the wrong time of year to be looking for floor length sparkly dresses, so am DELIGHTED to have just bought one on the Oxfam online shop for £19.

[Jasonandyawegunorts]

I have no problem with chairity shops, in fact some of my best friends are charity shops.

That said i've found more bargins at carboot sales.

[UpsiLondoes]

Was it a Philip attract original for a fiver? Or are you well known for your hat collection? I wouldn't be broadcasting it at a wedding if I had spent a fortune on rest of my outfit, as I wouldn't want anyone to assume all of it was from the shop. Things like the perfect matching hat are also such a one off - I can't imagine directing others to your shop would do much good unless you have a huge hat collection in stock.

[UpsiLondoes]

Treackle (phone keeps autocorrecting it)

[AllMyBestFriendsAreMetalheads]

Wellll I'd like to agree but selfishly I want all the bargains for myself

I happily admit I buy things from the charity shop. I often buy kids clothes, especially coats.

[LunaLoveg00d]

Was it a Philip attract original for a fiver?

Can't remember the brand. It was about £10 I think. My comment was more about increasing the number of people through the door and spreading the word that we've got great stuff, not just the tat nobody wants!

[LilQueenie]

I get what you mean. There are a few charity shops near me. Some are good for kids clothing and others for toys. I would recommend them and say yeah I got it from that one or whatever as they always have better quality as opposed to the rest of the shops.

[Natsku]

Love charity shops! Working in one now and always keep an eye out for really good stuff coming in.

[LilQueenie]

I just had a look to see if there were any charity shop vacancies as I'm going back to work soon. Though it worth a wee look. Charity shop assistant manager £16 per hour :O seriously!

[Ilovenannyplum]

I bought this lot for £4 the other day. 4 quid, bargain!
My DS thinks it's the best thing ever

[LunaLoveg00d]

I just had a look to see if there were any charity shop vacancies as I'm going back to work soon.

Our shop just has one paid member of staff - the manager. She does 37.5 hours a week and handles all of the admin, banking and compliance stuff. Everyone else in the shop is a volunteer and we do not get paid. (And we don't take stock without paying for it either).

[GooodMythicalMorning]

I love it. I always have to go in a charity shop and have a browse if I see one.

[GeezAJammyPeece]

Love love love a good rummage in a charity shop. We have loads around town, including a fab Oxfam music & book one and a British Heart Foundation one that does furniture & white goods etc. The ones beside the beach are full of particularly naice stuff, DD found the perfect dress for a wedding in one; Coast, BNWT, £12.50; popped along the road to Debenhams and found it on a rail for £225


There was a wee filler story, about one up the west end of town, on local radio news earlier. Some boutique (located at the beach end of town) had donated £21K of designer frocks, all brand new stock. That would have been a much nicer bag to sort through than the ones full of washed out tshirts, dirty pants and holey socks

[EmmaWoodlouse]

I love charity shops and always tell people when I've bought something from them (if they ask, I mean!) - I think it's something to be proud of, not ashamed of!

[troubleinstore]

I bought two dresses recently from a vintage charity shop ... they were hand made from the 1950's/1960's when people actually made their own clothes. They are beautiful one is more casual and everyday but the other was made of silk and lined. I wore the silk one to the races last week and could not believe how many wonderful comments on the dress I got.
Two dresses both £7.99 each ... bargalicious!
Never diss charity shop shopping.... there are bargains to be had!!!

[joangray38]

Tbh op I would have taken the gat back. given her her money back and asked her where else she could get a fab hat for the same anount of money. Charity shops are great - way of recycling raise money for their respective charity and for the most part are run by volunteers