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Original poster

Should rich people buy from charity shops?

164 replies

CricutKeeno · 04/04/2022 10:46

I saw a post from a well known celeb mum on Instagram, she had bought a pram from a charity shop for her baby. My first thought was wow! That’s surprising and great that she’d buy from a charity shop. But then I thought that it could be stopping someone who couldn’t afford a new one from being able to get it.

This mum has a silly amount of money at her disposal, should people like that not buy new, and leave the cheaper options for those who don’t have a choice? If so, then where do you draw the line? Maybe her buying a second hand buggy won’t make a difference to anyone else, or perhaps it could encourage others to shop from charity shops who might not think to, maybe that’s a good thing?

OP posts:
SaxendaSummer · 04/04/2022 11:45

Define 'rich' though?

I could afford one new

Itsbackagain · 04/04/2022 11:54

Why on earth not? I don't shop in charity shops but don't care who does.

chubbachub · 04/04/2022 11:57

Definitely the right thing to do for the environment.
Also this is how rich people stay rich. Just because you have money doesn't mean you have to spend it.

TargusEasting · 04/04/2022 11:59

Should rich people buy from charity shops?

Should fat people be allowed access to food banks?

TypicaIMe · 04/04/2022 11:59

Charity shops are a way of making money for a charity. They don't exist as a service to those on low incomes, although it's a useful 'side effect' that they can make goods available to people on all incomes. Like any shop, it's first come first served.

CornishGem1975 · 04/04/2022 11:59

Of course they should, it's a more sustainable way of living.

Synchrony · 04/04/2022 12:00

@Viviennemary

I think dhe was wrong to buy the pram. But I think books and ornaments are fine. It was selfish of her to buy the pram.
Why?!?! It's easy to find bargain secondhand prams - so many people buy them new they have very little resale value outside of a few specific brands. Hardly depriving anyone.

I strongly think it's good for all people to use charity shops!

Porridgeislife · 04/04/2022 12:00

I think it’s brilliant. Charity shops are there to raise money for charities, not to supply less well off people with clothing - fundamentally cheap shops like Primark have taken over that.

If she’s anything like Mrs Hinch and her ilk then the demographic of her followers are the kind that “must” have everything new for baby. There’s so much second hand gear floating about in near new condition and it would be brilliant to normalise using second hand across all demographics, not just eco conscious middle class mummies.

thesugarbumfairy · 04/04/2022 12:01

I don't have a problem with it. And where do you draw the line on who is rich and who isn't? I have more disposable income than other people I know. I am not rich. But should I not buy 2nd hand on the off chance someone poorer wants the item I want?

Like others have said. Whoever buys it, that money goes to the specified charity. And another item is kept out of landfill. This is a good thing.

Wexone · 04/04/2022 12:07

she is showing that everything doesn't need to be bought new. We live in world that has been so damaged by our throwaway culture that this needs to be popularized more. Babies are very expensive but a lot of things are only needed for a short period of time, why cant they be re sold on or donated for someone else to use. How do you know aswell she has a silly amount of money at her disposable, i would say influencers are like most famous people these days, their fame period ( time to make a lot of money ) is short and ai hope she is saving her money as tomorrow she could be yesterdays news and no longer be bale to demand the big bucks she is getting now . She has every priority to spend her money where she wants. The Charity benefits to , everyone wins

5329871e · 04/04/2022 12:11

@LostMySocks

If celebrities and 'rich' people use charity shops it reduces the stigma of buying preloved. So many people go into debt to buy the latest pram.
I think this is a really good point. Everybody should reuse and recycle.
jytdtysrht · 04/04/2022 12:14

Her buying choices are hers alone.

Antarcticant · 04/04/2022 12:19

We need as many people as possible to use charity shops so they will thrive.

It would be nice to think the celeb will re-donate the pram once her DC is done with it, assuming it's still in usable condition.

Georgeskitchen · 04/04/2022 12:22

To be perfectly honest, some of the prices in charity shops are not particularly cheap. Some clothing you can get new in Primark as cheap or cheaper than charity shops

Phormiumjester2 · 04/04/2022 12:25

There's a row of charity shops near a fairly relatively deprived area of our town. There are prams lined up outside for sale every day.

There are hundreds on Facebook marketplace. Those don't benefit charity but they do benefit the person selling who might need the cash.

Is that wrong too? Who is allowed to buy those?

Or are "rich" people here only to add to consumerism and ruin the environment? Because someone would be along to complain about that too.

FloBot7 · 04/04/2022 12:26

No idea who she might be but I like that she's normalising second hand goods for babies. Better for the environment and better for the followers out there going into debt trying to emulate her.

I still remember two of my friends being horrified that I planned to buy second hand baby clothes. Both wrinkled their faces in disgust. I was living right in the centre of Paris at the time and surrounded by people far wealthier than me. Funnily enough, once they realised it was second hand designer and boutique clothes, it was acceptable. I'd have been just as happy to use stuff from Boots or Sainsburys.

TypicaIMe · 04/04/2022 12:28

'Rich' people have always shopped at charity shops. I managed a chain of them in London in the 90s and we had loads of wealthy/celeb regulars, particularly in our Notting Hill/Kensington/Knightsbridge branches.

Bellex · 04/04/2022 12:30

Isn’t the primary reason for charity shops to make money for the charity and it’s more of a bonus that people that are less fortunate use them.

A lot of charity shops sell second hand designer clothes. I don’t think those that are struggling are buying £200 second hand Gucci handbags

latriciamcneal · 04/04/2022 12:30

@CricutKeeno

I saw a post from a well known celeb mum on Instagram, she had bought a pram from a charity shop for her baby. My first thought was wow! That’s surprising and great that she’d buy from a charity shop. But then I thought that it could be stopping someone who couldn’t afford a new one from being able to get it.

This mum has a silly amount of money at her disposal, should people like that not buy new, and leave the cheaper options for those who don’t have a choice? If so, then where do you draw the line? Maybe her buying a second hand buggy won’t make a difference to anyone else, or perhaps it could encourage others to shop from charity shops who might not think to, maybe that’s a good thing?

Nah there is no shortage of cheap prams from charity shops. They are there every single day, or just in the street. I never once paid more than £20 for a buggy. Got my last one from a flea market.
TabithaTittlemouse · 04/04/2022 12:30

Some of the most snobby views that I’ve heard regarding charity shops are from some of the least well off people that I know.

stargirl1701 · 04/04/2022 12:32

We have enough stuff on the planet for at least 100 years. No one should be buying new.

minniep · 04/04/2022 12:36

@TabithaTittlemouse

Some of the most snobby views that I’ve heard regarding charity shops are from some of the least well off people that I know.
I find this as well. I'm originally from a very deprived area and I know most people there would go into debt rather than admit to buying second hand. I love getting bargains from charity shops. They are there to make money so they need customers. Well done to this celeb whoever she is for highlighting the bargains that can be got.
diddl · 04/04/2022 12:37

@LostMySocks

If celebrities and 'rich' people use charity shops it reduces the stigma of buying preloved. So many people go into debt to buy the latest pram.
I'm not sure that that is about stigma.

I think that there are some people who will go into debt for something & others that won't.

I think it can also be the case that some people who can afford stuff just aren't interested in having it.

juliainthedeepwater · 04/04/2022 12:37

I think this is interesting! We are financially well off and I recently have felt too guilty to buy the 'best' kids' toys, clothes etc. in charity shops, as I just know there are lots of people who need an amazing bargain much more than me and for whom these things would mean a lot more. I would be a bit miffed by a wealthy person who didn't have this cross their mind, tbh. I do try and buy secondhand for environmental reasons but feel less guilty on ebay etc... I really think it's a sad sign of our times actually.

drpet49 · 04/04/2022 12:39

Based on the responses here, if you can afford to buy food you are okay to use those community food banks right?