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AIBU?

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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:
FrodoBiggins · 25/10/2025 17:14

FrodoBiggins · 25/10/2025 17:11

Are you not expecting to be with us next winter 😥

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Ah sorry just saw you're expecting! Congrats.
As others said it depends on the brand. I've bought a second hand coat for £60 before (Jaegar, pure wool)

museumum · 25/10/2025 17:14

If it was originally £35 from new look then no. But if it’s a £100+ coat then that price is absolutely fine.

LillyPJ · 25/10/2025 17:12

I wouldn't normally pay more than £3 or £4 for something in a charity shop, but a few months ago I did buy a coat for £20! I went back a few times before I finally decided to have it. It was wool and I loved the colour and found out it would have been about £300 new, so £20 didn't seem so bad. I even spent another £16 having it dry cleaned.

Nanny0gg · 25/10/2025 17:11

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

FrodoBiggins · 25/10/2025 17:11

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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Are you not expecting to be with us next winter 😥

Original poster
Sbrown32 · 25/10/2025 17:11

WhereAreMyKids · 25/10/2025 17:08

I don't know if you're planning on using baby slings but I used my pregnancy coat through that stage to keep DC zipped in during winter. Got a good few years outta it that way.

I didn't actually think of this, I do have a baby sling that I plan on using! Thanks for the advice

OP posts:
Original poster
Sbrown32 · 25/10/2025 17:09

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.

I agree with this, I grow up shopping in charity shops due to us having no money and was speaking to my mum about it today. You used to get some nice clothes for £1 - £2 ect and I would rather spend money in the charity shop to help out a good cause etc. We have a charity shop that has everything's for £3 or less and its always busy and always asking for stock, I have found some really nice things and some stuff that I still have a few years later.

I know the cost of living has gone up, keeping stores open have become more expensive but you're more likely to sell more at a cheaper price that having it on the shelves or like you said handing it back etc.

OP posts:
WhereAreMyKids · 25/10/2025 17:08

I don't know if you're planning on using baby slings but I used my pregnancy coat through that stage to keep DC zipped in during winter. Got a good few years outta it that way.

tuvamoodyson · 25/10/2025 17:04

I tried on a beautiful rust coloured wool/cashmere, wrap coat in our local
charity shop yesterday, unfortunately it was just too oversized for me…£15. I was so disappointed!

Hons123 · 25/10/2025 17:03

I prefer buying second hand coats, jackets, etc. if in a decent condition, and for those I would not mind paying £20 or £40 or £100 simply because you can't compare the quality then and now. They don't have to be vintage Aquascutum, etc. to be good - lots of handmade, no brand vintage coats and jackets are vastly superior to the contemporary ones, lining-stitching-fabric-hardware. Sometimes they have a 'Made in England' label on them, sometimes nothing at all.

Original poster
Sbrown32 · 25/10/2025 17:03

SamphiretheTervosaur · 25/10/2025 16:51

I once bought a £20 coat from a charity shop in Cheltenham. Lambswool double breasted, still had a racing ticket in the pocket 😀

I wore it for years, quite ruined it! I'd buy another if I could. But I know what you mean. Charity shop prices are rising, quality is dipping... our local ones are all having a rethink, trying to find ways to support families, using those of us with a bit more spare cash to support them more. They too are quite depressed about it!

We have a few charity shops near me, some are really good and some are expensive. We have one that is my favourite where everything is £3 max so you don't have to stress to much about looking at the price but then we have some that are just (in my opinion) ridiculously priced!

Its sad really, people are going to things like Vinted and it takes away from the charity but I do see why....

OP posts:
Enrichetta · 25/10/2025 17:02

most stuff that gets donated to charity shops is not good enough to be sold. If they started to put any old garments on the shop floor, people would stop buying. Who has time to rummage through 90% rubbish to try and find something they like.

Charity shops actually don’t make a lot of money, and some charities are closing many of their shops.

£18 for a coat in good condition seems very reasonable indeed - potentially a bargain if it has a high wool content, especially if it is a high-value brand.

ttcat37 · 25/10/2025 17:00

I work it out by weekly cost. If you’ve got 3 months of pregnancy/ wearing the coat left, it works out at £1.50 a week. Then you can sell it, and it’s cost you even less.

theresnolimits · 25/10/2025 17:00

I bought a John Lewis wool coat last year in a charity shop for £25. Wore it all winter. Every time I wear it, I get compliments. I got it out and wore it this week - two compliments first day. I will wear it until March probably - so 5 month-ish. How is that not a bargain?

You may see a John Lewis coat on Vinted but I bet it will be over £10. Add on the postage, insurance and then the risk factor of will it fit, will it suit me?

Yes, charity shops have got more expensive and their prices for supermarket brands, Primark and Shein are ridiculous. But you can still find absolute steals out there if you’re prepared to buy the more expensive brands. A quick google on the brand on the label would have been a good idea.

CraftyNavySeal · 25/10/2025 16:59

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 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.

Original poster
Sbrown32 · 25/10/2025 16:59

PowerTulle · 25/10/2025 16:54

Is it synthetic or wool?

Synthetic - unfortunately I didn't recognise the brand 😕.

OP posts:
tuvamoodyson · 25/10/2025 16:58

Sbrown32 · 25/10/2025 16:38

Yeah, I get you. Unfortunately I didn't recognise the branding of the coat just kinda saw the cost a popped it back. I don't usually care about the brand but the qulity and the state of it. Even primark prices have gone up!

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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!

MeekAndModest · 25/10/2025 16:58

A charity shop used to be for people who could not afford much at all.
No it wasn't, it was to raise money for the charity. @Starlight7080

lowlight · 25/10/2025 16:58

totally depend on the quality. Could be a bargain or a rip off....

Original poster
Sbrown32 · 25/10/2025 16:57

TheTortiePuffinNeedsHerBreakfast · 25/10/2025 16:46

The cost is based on its brand, quality and condition, not how long you personally will use it for. I think in your situation I would get a cheap low quality one and supplement it with a nice warm scarf.

Edited

Hummm, yes I guess. I ended up getting a nice one for £10 in the end. I usually ask for a nice scarf/hats/gloves for my birthday each year so yes its an option actually and think I will stick to that!

OP posts:
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.

Owly11 · 25/10/2025 16:54

For a coat you like and does the job, you are being unreasonable. Don't worry about the brand, look at the fabric. If it had a high wool content then it was a bargain.

PowerTulle · 25/10/2025 16:54

Is it synthetic or wool?

Original poster
Sbrown32 · 25/10/2025 16:53

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?

🤣 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.

OP posts:
SamphiretheTervosaur · 25/10/2025 16:51

I once bought a £20 coat from a charity shop in Cheltenham. Lambswool double breasted, still had a racing ticket in the pocket 😀

I wore it for years, quite ruined it! I'd buy another if I could. But I know what you mean. Charity shop prices are rising, quality is dipping... our local ones are all having a rethink, trying to find ways to support families, using those of us with a bit more spare cash to support them more. They too are quite depressed about it!