What wouldn’t you buy from a charity shop?

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What wouldn’t you buy from a charity shop? Why? What do you buy? What’s the best bargain you’ve picked up? Genuinely curious, I’ve always picked up kids toys, books ect I think it’s a great way to re use / save money. never any kitchen bits but I know people pick up some good bargains..

some of my most comfortable shoes and boots were secondhand. some were high quality and barely worn (like, they'd have the same amount of wear and tear from being tried on in the shop) and the ones that were more worn, someone's already broken them in for me.

Crotchless knickers

I got a Chiltern Teddybear you'd consider a bargain at £40, for £3, because that's what they charged for soft toys. I love Chilterns, so he's not for sale, but he was definitely a bargain.

also, a giant Hansa hare that retails at the best part of £90 for £3.
it was an oxfam, and normally they overcharge for stuff, but clearly, nobody there knows their soft toys.

And it’s probably only silver plate or worse! If it was real silver a discerning staff member/volunteer would get it sold for scrap value.

I saw a silver dish engraved “dear Mum, Merry Christmas, love Peter

We do see quite a lot of this sort of stuff. I don't mind the stuff with an initial only on it - I bought myself a mug which appeared brand new with my initial on it and it's such a nice shape it's one of my favourites. Also a pair of Disney mini mouse tumblers which had the initials of my daughter and her flatmate which have pride of place in their student kitchen (tumblers still had their stickers on).

But what doesn't sell is the "fab and 40" wine glasses or the 21st birthday plastic key in a presentation box, or the "bride and groom" mug sets or other assorted tat commemorating one single day. We have in the past been able to sell something like a child's gym bag or pencil case with a very common name like Katie or Lewis, if something has Persephone or Rio-Blue on it, straight in the bin.

So no, nobody would buy something with a very personalised message on it. Which brings us back round to why on earth people would donate it in the first place. And a step further back, why people buy this tat in the first place.

If it's an engraving on silver (i.e. valuable metal so worth the cost) a jeweller could remove or replace the engraving.

They could - but as others have said it's more likely to be silver-coloured not silver metal. Anything hallmarked would just be sold for scrap.

Needmorelego · Yesterday 23:58

** I'd assume they would have tested it before putting it on sale.

No they couldn't say if it was working. The person said bring it back if it didn't work but I would not have had time for that.
(I wouldn't buy anything that might not work).

I know some have said that charity shops don't sell underwear but these are the items I referred to in my previous post. I've edited it so that the actual branch can't be identified, but for those who say it didn't happen unless there's proof.....

And definitely used? I know for a fact that this goes against Oxfam's policy, must be a rogue manager. They may argue that this is clothing designed to be seen and no different from selling a t-shirt?

Underwear definitely would not buy electrical s on the fence with that one some charity shops charge what it cost to buy new

The one I volunteer for Electrical tests everything and allows customers to check themselves

You're not allowed to sell electricals unless they're safety-tested now, so either you know it's safe to use, or the shop won't sell electricals at all.

Yes, what I meant was even though there is a electrical testing sticker on the item, sometimes Customer want to see for themselves

Oh yes, every day.
Worst one we had was a donation where we assumed there had been a family rift - the entire contents of someone's wardrobe and bedside table, including diaries and sex toys. The clothes were in good condition though!

The only thing I will buy is jigsaw puzzles. I just can't cope with the smell in charity shops - and please don't tell me I'm imagining it.

Underwear is the only thing I avoid.

I buy virtually all my clothes, bags, outerwear, and footwear from thrift shops. I can't remember the last time I bought anything new.

I also buy kitchenware, books, puzzles, decor, cushions, vinyl records, cds, yarn, and candles. Possibly the best thing I have found was a 1971 copy of Blue by Joni Mitchell (vinyl).

My most recent purchase was a little Braun coffee grinder in perfect condition.

Shoes underwear bras and swim wear and nightwear is a no from me just no

As a volunteer in a CS, and a long time browser in others, I’d be interested to know where you (and so many others)have seen old pants for sale? Our shop doesn’t sell used knickers, used boxers, old socks etc., and I don’t know any that do.

Salvation Army sell used underwear and old socks.

@Supersimkin7 not in any branch I've been in (and I've been in loads).
They must have an odd manager to do that.

Whatever they sell, I have a bigger problem with the Salvation Army, and won't buy anything from them at all. They attempt to convert people who are destitute, which is pretty scummy in my book.

Some of the shops can be a bit musty (although my favourite one locally isn't) but there's a great invention now called a washing machine and it's great at getting smells out of fabrics. You should try it 😉

I went to the local "shabby and a bit musty smelling" charity shop today and got a brand new sealed Lego set 🙂
(Also 2 books I collect. One was a bit tatty but it's from the 80s and they only charged me 20p for it)
A good charity shop trip for me.

It's the smell in the shops I can't stand so i get in and out asap. Interestingly we are decorating and have moved three rooms of stuff into one room and it smells the same! I think it must be stuff crammed in together.