Should rich people buy from charity shops?

[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?

I posted upthread about my DS (aged 12) who has sensory issues and we buy things from charity shops as they are usually very very well worn and soft.

he also sadly has an adoration for brands. but cannot wear them new. I often have to buy or get made super soft underclothes because he cannot tolerate many frabrics.

We are very solvent, but even so I could quite literally spend £100s every season on things he cannot cope with. (The number of boden chinos I have sent to the charity shop totally unworn is ridiculous).

This afternoon I bought an oversized Champion t-shirt for £4.00 from our local charity shop.

He cried with joy.

I am quite okay with buying things, even though I can afford new. I certainly do not feel like charity shops are not for the likes of me.

@SpringLobelia, couldn't you wash the new chinos a few times with something like a pair of old trainers or something to remove the newness?

[quote KirstenBlest]@SpringLobelia, couldn't you wash the new chinos a few times with something like a pair of old trainers or something to remove the newness?[/quote]
It's mainly the seams and the waist band that are an issue and I can't seem to find a way to make them acceptable. I have tried sewing fleece in. he can only wear his school uniform with a sort of soft fleece type underlay. It makes it silly warm in summer though. The chinos are too robust a fabric I find even with washing. It's a classic case of me allowing my enthusiasm for wanting him to wear nice clothes and to 'fit in' to get the better of me!

At home he does not wear any clothes at all, although we are trying to stop that now he is heading fast for puberty!!

I know who you're talking about. She has given money to charity, she has every right to what she likes with her money. There's no shortage of second hand cheap prams out there, she hasn't taken anything from anybody and probably removed some stigma around charity shops, good for her. She's a lovely woman who I enjoy following on SM.

Good for whoever this is. Supporting the charity shop in their actual purpose and taking the greener option.

Two things, one buying second hand is better for the environment and two, she might be a "celebrity" but she may not be wealthy at all, many so called famous people are not rolling in money, some are struggling

@SpringLobelia, you could try getting clothes made. A relative used to be a seamstress, and she had a customer would order hand made clothes made with french seams as she couldn't have regular seams because of a skin condition.

Underpants should be fairly easy to make, or maybe regular ones could be worn inside out

Could you sandpaper the chino seams? Not sure if that's a good suggestion

Oh my goodness OP. Look in charity shops, eBay, fb market place, gum tree, vinted, freecycle. There is more than enough to go around. If nobody bought anything new for a whole year there would still be more than enough to go around. Our house hold income easily puts us in the top 5%, possibly the top 2%. At least 1/3 of my wardrobe is pre loved. We have many second hand items of furniture in our house. I almost always look to see if I can buy something second hand before I buy new. Why on earth would I run to a shop if the item I want is for sale second hand locally? Surely it’s a wine win? I draw the line at underwear and trainers. I think you are being ridiculous. Go and stand at a recycling centre for an hour and look at the perfectly good items that people chuck out. Such a waste and so environmentally friendly.

Yes. Use everything until it falls apart. On the telly one night a man said, "Get all your clothes from the charity shop and use the saved money to travel. Travel's the thing." I suppose well-off-mum could afford to do both, but it's a good example.

I know who you're talking about. I'm not a massive fan of her but even I can't criticise her for this. Would it make more sense for her to see it in a charity shop then go and purchase a brand new one

And if she has said 'I saw this pram in a charity shop and liked it so purchased a brand new one from mamas and papas' can you see how much she would get slated?!

We have a good income and I love shopping in charity shops.

All the low earners I know won't be seen dead in one.

I think it's very good to buy second hand, especially from charity shops, if you are well off. There will still be plenty of goods left for the less flush to purchase. I knew someone years ago, quite affluent, who always bought her outer clothes from a charity shop and gave the money she saved as a result to a charity (quietly).

A rich person's money is as good as a poor one's. The charity shop staff certainly won't mind (probably won't know).

It's better than being flash with your cash. I always found charity shop browsing more fun than ordinary shops anyway.

I buy everything from charity shops but I sometimes feel weird about buying children’s coats. I think new kids warm , waterproof coats are a big cost for a struggling families, and having the opportunity to buy them in a charity shop can be a lifesaver for some people, particularly around September time when there are so many other expenses. Realistically it’s a mad logic and another vulture will probs just snaffle the coat right up and flog it on eBay but still, I leave the coats

See I do buy coats for DS from charity shops but I also donate his old coats, usually some are good quality and were previously new. I have also donated lots of other good quality items over the years. So I feel it balances out and that I do give back to charity shops too.
I did see a nice boys coats in a local charity shop a month ago, it was the wrong size for DS so didn't buy it. It was still there a month later so there's obviously not a huge rush of people looking for winter coats!