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Original poster

For not paying nearly £20 for a second hand coat?

263 replies

Sbrown32 · 25/10/2025 16:09

So, today I went charity shopping for the first time in a while as I needed a winter coat for the last few months of my pregnancy. I found a really lovely one that I wanted, it was a nice colour and the quality wasn't to bad, a few imperfections but overall I was happy, until I went to go look at the price 🙃 £18.50!! I don't know if I am just being cheap but that seemed expensive for anything second hand!

Most of my clothes are second hand and I rarely buy brand new, I am used to paying a few £ for any item of clothing and have gotten many coats in the past for £5 - £10 depending on type of coat. I just can't get over it and may have embarrassed the OH with my rant inside the store 🤣

OP posts:
MaidOfSteel · 25/10/2025 17:48

FreyjaOfTheNorth · 25/10/2025 16:44

in another thread you say you spend £25 on a takeaway for 2 people. So £25 is reasonable to you for mediocre food for one meal. But £18.50 for a good coat that will last all winter and beyond causes you to have hysterics in a charity shop?

Did you actually search for the OP and go looking at their other threads/posts?

It does seem a lot for a charity shop, OP, so I can understand your hesitation. I guess if you didn’t recognise the brand it’s hard to know if it was a bargain or not. You could maybe google it should it happen again.

MidnightMeltdown · 25/10/2025 17:46

Depends entirely on the label/quality. I’ve regularly sold secondhand coats/dresses/tops etc on eBay for more than £20. I think it’s weird to expect that everything should be sold for peanuts regardless of the original price.

Original poster
Sbrown32 · 25/10/2025 17:44

themerchentofvenus · 25/10/2025 17:36

@Sbrown32 I'd pay £20 if it was a decent coat.

My big pet hate of charity shops is trying to charge £5 for a tshirt that was probably £3 from Primark! Some of them are so out of touch with their pricing and it is surely costing them sales and profit.

Yes, I think I am being unreasonable with all the posts with regards to the coat.

But I totally agree, some of the prices are just insane and out of touch 😳

OP posts:
PGmicstand · 25/10/2025 17:43

Bagsintheboot · 25/10/2025 16:11

Surely it depends on the brand and the quality.

£18.50 for a second hand polyester Primark coat is a rip off. £18.50 for a second hand woolen Aquascutum is a bargain.

Well yes, this.

Just because it's a charity shop, doesn't mean they're selling things dirt cheap. The purpose of the shop is to raise money for the charity.
I bought myself some moshulu boots from my local one last year. If they had been new, they'd have been over £100. I got them for £30.

Similarly, someone picked up a designer bag for £50. If that had been new, it would have been 4 times the price.

CaroleLandis · 25/10/2025 17:43

Can you afford to raise a child if you are scrimping over the boat of a coat?

Mademetoxic · 25/10/2025 17:43

Starlight7080 · 25/10/2025 16:54

But it isnt cheap . A charity shop used to be for people who could not afford much at all. So best part of 20 to most may be nothing . But to someone who may only have 40 for food for the week then 20 is a hell of a lot.
Not to mention charity shops get all of the stock for free. And having spoken to people who volunteer they often have full stock rooms with bags and bags of clothing . And turn lots away.
Maybe they would shift more stock and not be closing so many if they reduced the prices and sold more . Like they used to.

Sadly then if they priced everything below a certain amount people would buy it and sell it on for 3x the price.
Charity shops are used for helping out charities.

Original poster
Sbrown32 · 25/10/2025 17:42

Nanny0gg · 25/10/2025 17:11

Why won't you use it for a few years?

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Once I have the baby, I hopefully won't be the same size! I maybe wrong but I have done up 2/3 sizes so it will be to big for me.

Although, somebody has suggested to use it to wrap baby in too so it maybe for a bit longer than expected

OP posts:
ChocolateCinderToffee · 25/10/2025 17:40

I auctioned a Seasalt coat on ebay a couple of years ago and got half its original cost. If this coat was good quality, I would say it was a bargain.

themerchentofvenus · 25/10/2025 17:36

@Sbrown32 I'd pay £20 if it was a decent coat.

My big pet hate of charity shops is trying to charge £5 for a tshirt that was probably £3 from Primark! Some of them are so out of touch with their pricing and it is surely costing them sales and profit.

Cherrysoup · 25/10/2025 17:35

I was quite happy to fill up the car today and buy shopping but baulked at paying £20 for really nice wide jeans. I’m too used to Vinted prices. Do find charity shop prices a bit crazy sometimes, particularly for non-branded stuff.

Serpentstooth · 25/10/2025 17:34

I gave a 2 year old coat to a charity shop a couple of years ago as I'd only worn it a couple of times and it was taking up space. Cost £250, was 2 years old. £20 would have been a reasonable price for it.

Evaka · 25/10/2025 17:33

I spent 15 on a second hand coat yesterday when I saw the padding was goose feather. That's a crazy good bargain. Depends on the material and quality.

FaceBothered · 25/10/2025 17:30

Sbrown32 · 25/10/2025 16:39

I think, because I know its only going to be used for a few months it just seemed expensive.

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But why would this cause you to have a rant?

They don't price their items according to how long their customers intend to wear them 😳

AliceMaforethought · 25/10/2025 17:29

Sbrown32 · 25/10/2025 16:39

I think, because I know its only going to be used for a few months it just seemed expensive.

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That's not the shop's fault, though, is it? Obviously you don't have to pay more than what you want to pay, but your pregnancy is hardly factored into how they price their clothes.

DanielleVanWyk · 25/10/2025 17:27

It depends on the type of coat tbh.

clary · 25/10/2025 17:26

sorry I see the OP has answered my questions while I was forgetting to refresh!

AliceMaforethought · 25/10/2025 17:25

Tiredofwhataboutery · 25/10/2025 16:16

I think in general I’m willing to pay up to 20% of the original value of a second hand item in good condition. I prefer to pay closer to 10% if I can. So if it was £100~ 150 originally I’d definitely consider it however I’d be happier if it was £150+ originally.

That's not how it works for high end stuff.

tommyhoundmum · 25/10/2025 17:25

I paid £35 years ago for a black cashmere overcoat from Harrods. It is very warm, but I hardly ever wear it, prefering instead to wear loads of layers and long wool scarves

PrincessofWells · 25/10/2025 17:24

I spent £40 on a wool Toast coat from Vinted and a Kin rain jacket for £15. Both bargains, so I suppose it depends how you value what you wear. The Toast coat was probably £300 new and the Kin £100 so . . .

Oblahdeeoblahdoe · 25/10/2025 17:19

Sbrown32 · 25/10/2025 16:53

🤣 its a fair point you made I suppose. I have no argument other than I wasn't hysterical more shocked/annoyed.

Personally, I don't spend a lot of money on clothes but me and my partner sitting down to watch a film and getting a takeaway means a lot to me and is worth the price (whilst we have the money to be able to do so). Priorities I guess.

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I have a similar problem, I lose sight of the price of things. I now think, how many takeaways is that or just as relevant, how many pints of beer is that? - looking at you DH!

Tiredofwhataboutery · 25/10/2025 17:19

CraftyNavySeal · 25/10/2025 16:59

The sole purpose of a charity shop is to raise money for the charity, not to provide people with cheap clothes or even to sell all the clothes.

They need to stock the stores with what will get them the most money. Trying to sell lots of items for a quid is a waste of their time.

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There’s a local thrift shop that charities, groups and organisations take over for the week. We sell loads of clothing and everything else for £1, it’s great as reduces waste, provides money for whoever is fundraising that week and offers an affordable option for people.

In exchange there is lots of community goodwill, I volunteered there last week and donations of clean, ironed clothes were regularly dropped off. People brought in unwanted gifts as prizes for the tombola.

We made £2k (after rent/ expenses) for the week which is a decent amount for our small organisation. I do think there is space for a pile it high sell it cheaply type places that are working for the benefit of community as well as fundraising.

Original poster
Sbrown32 · 25/10/2025 17:19

tuvamoodyson · 25/10/2025 16:58

Perhaps it was an expensive brand? So £18.50 may have been very reasonable? Why did you feel you needed to rant inside the shop?? Just put the coat back and walk out, no need for a tantrum!

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See I am not into brands, I just see something I like and if its a good price I buy it etc. I didn't have a tantrum 🤣 I had a little rant plus I am pregnant so you know hormones may have contributed a little?

OP posts:
LillyPJ · 25/10/2025 17:16

Starlight7080 · 25/10/2025 16:54

But it isnt cheap . A charity shop used to be for people who could not afford much at all. So best part of 20 to most may be nothing . But to someone who may only have 40 for food for the week then 20 is a hell of a lot.
Not to mention charity shops get all of the stock for free. And having spoken to people who volunteer they often have full stock rooms with bags and bags of clothing . And turn lots away.
Maybe they would shift more stock and not be closing so many if they reduced the prices and sold more . Like they used to.

The purpose of a charity shop isn't to provide stuff for people who haven't got much money - it's to raise money for the charity. If they've got something rare or valuable, they're not going to give it away cheap!

clary · 25/10/2025 17:16

Yes as others say, what was the brand and what sort of quality?

I would happily pay that for a good quality wool coat; for one from Asda, not so much. I've sold a coat on eBay which had cost me £150 in TKMaxx but I only wore it once or twice – think I got about £30 for it maybe? I reckon a brand new item still boxed – possibly 40-50% of price; something that has been used, even if barely, drops it to 20-25% max.

Londonmummy66 · 25/10/2025 17:16

I paid that 30 years ago for a charity shop coat. TBF it was a Harris Tweed Dior coat but it has been well worth it - I've lived and died in it for the intervening years and the only thing I've had to do is dry clean it occasionally and get the sleeves relined as they were gone at the cuffs.