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Original poster

Can I just say how much I LOVE charity shops

132 replies

BillyJoe111 · 07/09/2021 13:59

So I wanted to get dd one of those activity center things shaped like a car for her first birthday a couple of weeks ago. Only they are about £80, which we can’t afford. I was a bit gutted, dd didn’t care one bit and was over the moon with a box of wooden blocks.

Walking past a charity shop this morning, guess what was in the window?

Yep, the car activity centre, for £3.50 ShockGrin

All lights and music working perfectly, good as new. Only thing missing was the shapes to put in the shape sorter thing the car door, but, they had a shape sorter for sale for £1 and the shapes are the perfect size Grin

Dd has now been sat in it for 45 mins pressing buttons, and laughing.

So, so happy!

I’m a massive fan of charity shops, especially for baby things, and I always donate when my children have grown out of things and this made my day.

OP posts:
Divebar2021 · 07/09/2021 15:47

There’s a lot of shit in charity shops but a lot of it was shit when it was new. We need people to actually buy decent quality products and then donate them while they’re still in good condition. I’ve had loads of great buys in my town - too many to mention but there’s a better place about 10 miles away… definitely worth the schlep. I’ve got a wedding in December and plan to buy my outfit pre-loved even though I could buy it new. I love the challenge & the satisfaction.

MissyB1 · 07/09/2021 15:50

Bought myself a huge beautiful serving dish from our local hospice shop the other day for £4 I was chuffed to bits.

Original poster
BillyJoe111 · 07/09/2021 15:55

@Fieldsoftripe9

I used to love them but finding them far too expensive now. Some of the prices are ridiculous. Little miss book collection brand new is £32 amazon, its £22 in my local charity shop with a few books missing!
There is one I never go near because they look everything up on ebay and price it the same. Sad really, every time I walk past it’s all the same things. If you want a milk jug, you aren’t going to pay £7 for it because that’s what someone on ebay is selling it for.
OP posts:
Boeing777 · 07/09/2021 16:04

Love a charity shop rummage. Got a small Coach handbag for £2.50p and a few months ago a very good copy Louis Vuutton cross body bag for a fiver!!

H1978 · 07/09/2021 16:08

We have an amazing Salvation Army charity shop near us that sells books for 10/20p. Great for keeping dd1 in plenty of books. She goes through so many.

MythicalBiologicalFennel · 07/09/2021 16:18

Reading this thread in amazement. I live in a relatively poor seaside town - our charity shops are full of things given away by impoverished pensioners. No treasures there. Think out of shape, polyester, lurid green, over-embellished Per Una blouses from 15 years ago. Asda and Primark stuff that you could buy cheaper new. Most charities here don't even accept donations of children's stuff.

bocodilloconqueso · 07/09/2021 16:20

I'm a complete charity shop addict, as is my DM, and my 11yo is becoming one. Most days I'll be wearing at least one thing that come from a charity shop, as will my DC's. I've never understood how people turn their noses up at them. It's even more relevant now that we really need to start making an effort to reduce consumption and reuse things.
But, I did agree with what some posters are saying about price hikes. I've seen some items in sale for only a fraction less than they would be new, which is ridiculous. There needs to be a balance.

LaMariposa · 07/09/2021 16:23

I love a good charity shop rummage. Today’s haul - 2 vintage new in packaging woollen blankets. A book I wanted to read. A GAP lambswool jumper, looks unworn. 3 lovely kitchen storage pots. Total spend £25.
I can’t justify buying new at these prices.

Divebar2021 · 07/09/2021 16:30

@MythicalBiologicalFennel

My hometown in Lincolnshire is a bit like that - I don’t bother visiting them when I’m home. If you visit anywhere in the U.K. it’s worth popping in to see what they’re like. I recently picked up an immaculate Zara faux leather flying jacket for my DD at about £8 ( currently being sold used on eBay for £20) and an an Autograph cashmere sweater for £6. A leather Hugo Boss crossbody bag for £8. New boots by Jones. Ecco, New Dr Martens for DD which she hates. Stella McCartney cardigan for £15. Vivienne Westwood shoes. I have endless items of clothes actually. It would be good to have a thread just to show these things off.

Divebar2021 · 07/09/2021 16:32

Just to say I’m not selling the Zara jacket - there’s one like it for sale.

Ktay · 07/09/2021 16:34

On subject of unrealistic pricing, I spotted this in a local charity shop the other day. At a loss to understand how it warrants a £300 price tag, can anyone enlighten me?!

Can I just say how much I LOVE charity shops
Eyesofdisarray · 07/09/2021 16:38

Can vary here but I love a look around a charity shop even on holiday!! DD rolls her eyes at me but I've had some bargains! Love them.
I donate too - and gift aid so it works both ways.

thetesdybears · 07/09/2021 16:39

That's fab, I think we have the car your talking about and it cost about £60 on offer at Christmas last yr. £3.59 is a steal!

I've only ever dropped stuff off at a charity shop. I really need to have a nosey the one near me always has prawns and lots of baby large baby stuff outside on display so I imagine they have a lot of baby stuff!

Daisy829 · 07/09/2021 16:41

Where are all these decent charity shops? I often pop into mine with high expectations & im always disappointed!

Boobieboobieboobie · 07/09/2021 16:45

@BillyJoe111

So I wanted to get dd one of those activity center things shaped like a car for her first birthday a couple of weeks ago. Only they are about £80, which we can’t afford. I was a bit gutted, dd didn’t care one bit and was over the moon with a box of wooden blocks.

Walking past a charity shop this morning, guess what was in the window?

Yep, the car activity centre, for £3.50 ShockGrin

All lights and music working perfectly, good as new. Only thing missing was the shapes to put in the shape sorter thing the car door, but, they had a shape sorter for sale for £1 and the shapes are the perfect size Grin

Dd has now been sat in it for 45 mins pressing buttons, and laughing.

So, so happy!

I’m a massive fan of charity shops, especially for baby things, and I always donate when my children have grown out of things and this made my day.

This has made me smile, how lovelySmile
stopringingme · 07/09/2021 16:47

I bought three Radley bags for £6 each

I also like Pyrex and Arcopal and found a whole dinner set for £12 - I already had the cups and saucers so I donated them back to the same shop so they could earn twice and then the gift aid on top.

One of the local ones sells children's books for 10p each.

I got my Daughter a new Trespass winter coat for £2.95

My Daughter has had many many toys from Charity shops and they are the ones she plays with most - not the £80 doll her Grandad bought her !

I am going on Thursday to a couple that I do not get to go to much and I am so looking forward to it!

I do agree some shops have got ridiculous with their prices, and I don't buy from them very often, it has to be something I really want.

DobbyTheHouseElk · 07/09/2021 16:49

@Ktay

On subject of unrealistic pricing, I spotted this in a local charity shop the other day. At a loss to understand how it warrants a £300 price tag, can anyone enlighten me?!
Doesn’t that say £3.00?
Ktay · 07/09/2021 16:53

I don’t think so @DobbyTheHouseElk?

Original poster
BillyJoe111 · 07/09/2021 16:54

@Ktay

On subject of unrealistic pricing, I spotted this in a local charity shop the other day. At a loss to understand how it warrants a £300 price tag, can anyone enlighten me?!
Wow! It even says framed poster?! Can a poster be that rare? I guess some might be but I think that will be in the window for a loooooong time.
OP posts:
2bazookas · 07/09/2021 16:55

Charity shop addict here. I just can't walk past one.

Our house is full of charity shop and jumble sale finds.

Original poster
BillyJoe111 · 07/09/2021 16:57

@2bazookas

Charity shop addict here. I just can't walk past one.

Our house is full of charity shop and jumble sale finds.

Oh I love a good jumble sale. And a car boot!
OP posts:
vestastilly · 07/09/2021 17:05

Can anybody tell me though where all the plus sizes clothes that get donated go to? Most of our local stores only have clothes up to a size 18 but I’m sure lots of people must donate larger stuff? I am off on a charity shop trawl on Saturday for my a/W wardrobe!

AlfonsoTheMango · 07/09/2021 17:06

I love charity shops! One of my great pleasures in life is donating - the people who work / volunteer there are always so appreciative.

Bluenotgreenmilk · 07/09/2021 17:07

I used to be a skint single mum,so the only way I could kit them all out was charity shops and car boot sales
I really thought that was they got older,they would start to earn their own money and buy new
Wasn’t to be-all 6 love a good rummage and finding a bargain and we love doing it together
Our motto is ‘let someone else pay full price’
We’ve found some amazing bits and bobs and we always donate back once done

reprehensibleme · 07/09/2021 17:08

Best buy - maslin pan for £4.....Grin. Also carry a list of books I'm after and they all, without fail, eventually turn up in a charity shop. And jigsaws - our local pet resue sells them for £2 when they retail at £14+ and the lovely staff actually put them together to make sure there's no missing pieces.