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Original poster

To love pound shops and charity shops..

78 replies

Haggischucker · 13/12/2014 19:30

Today got a bag of mini amaretto biscuits 'amarcini' that are amazing, lots of fab bits for secret Santa hamper from pound shop and an amazing bravissimo dress from charity shop for £2.99!! Did pop some extra ££££'s in collection box in charity shop though. Any other bargains anyone? Xmas Smile

OP posts:
LovleyRitaMeterMaid · 13/12/2014 22:34

My gran was one of those dozy old dears volunteering in a cancer charity shop. She'd do all the book keeping type jobs. Just as she had done on a voluntary basis for the guides along with running groups for 40 years. She was treasuer of various guilds and committees. That had been her line of work.

These dizzy old dears have a lot to give.

Viviennemary · 13/12/2014 22:36

I love charity shops but am not keen on pound shops. I always think they are full of tat but then so are most charity shops these days.

mumofthemonsters808 · 13/12/2014 22:49

Our town centre is over run with pound shops, I don't like them but I'm partial to rummaging around a charity shop.IVe bought the odd thing but never found a real bargain, if anything I think a lot of the things are overpriced. I do like HOme bargains and B and M though.

perplexedpirate · 13/12/2014 22:53

I love charity shop threads cos I get to talk about my amazing bargain shoes!
1 pair silver DKNY sandals
1 pair black kurt Geiger
1 pair gold Prada sling backs
£10 each!!!

velocityofrudolph · 13/12/2014 22:55

I love charity shops, most of my books come from them, and a couple of years ago I got a lovely set of vintage Silver Rose cutlery from one for less than a fiver..it matched the little set I was given at my christening Smile

Poundshops are evil, but only because I go in and get carried away buying stuff I don't really need

BlueBrightBlue · 13/12/2014 22:59

Love charity shops.
There is very little in the way of "new" fashion, in fact I think that most cloths on offer in the high street are boring beyond words,
I have had some fab finds in charity shops and am often completed on my attire.

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 13/12/2014 22:59

I absolutely LOATHE charity shops. Everything smells. I would never buy anything in one and only go in one if forced by my Mother who loves them.

Ditto poundshops.

BlueBrightBlue · 13/12/2014 23:15

I have found that most charity shops are quite discerning about what they sell. A lot of clothes are laundered before they are put for sale.
There are still a few that display minging stuff , but on the whole most don't.

sparklecrates · 13/12/2014 23:19

I hate pound shops I feel dirty and working class just being in them. Poundland doesn't really count as it should be called 'smallportionland' and its still a little 'shopping with the scum' but at least they have the lights on.

happybubblebrain · 13/12/2014 23:25

I go into Oxfam nearly every week and always come out with a really good book or film. Dd spends her pocket money in there often. Sometimes we find good clothes. I also look for craft materials and other useful bits and bobs.

Poundshops are ok, they are cheaper than going to a newsagent for drinks and snacks, but not always cheaper than the supermarkets. I think there are far too many poundshops now.

MostHighlyFlavouredLady · 13/12/2014 23:29

I don't like charity shops usually. They are expensive. Maybe they have a designer top for half price or whatever but that is still 3 times what I'd pay for a top iyswim.

And even the non-designer stuff costs more than it would in a non-charity shop when it is on sale, and unworn.

MostHighlyFlavouredLady · 13/12/2014 23:31

'I hate pound shops I feel dirty and working class just being in them. Poundland doesn't really count as it should be called 'smallportionland' and its still a little 'shopping with the scum' but at least they have the lights on.'

Can you clarify what you have posted here please? Are you associating dirty and working class, or is the dirt something specific to poundland and nothing to do with working class.

Who exactly are you calling 'scum'? Anyone who shops in poundland? or working class? Regardless, why are they scum?

SirChenjin · 13/12/2014 23:34

I love charity shops and pound shops too - nothing better than a potter around the charity shops, unearthing a great find, and going for a cup of tea and a bun afterwards. Bliss Smile

My latest bargain was a pair of Russell and Bromley black suede boots (that looked as if they'd only been worn a couple of times at most) for £13 - a similar pair on their website was £300!

usualsuspectsparkly3 · 13/12/2014 23:40

What an unpleasant post,Sparklecrates.

Did you mean to be such a twat?

sparklecrates · 13/12/2014 23:42

Oooh! harsh!Grin I was just trying to get into the Daily Mail! Wink

SirChenjin · 13/12/2014 23:43

Why were you trying to get into the Daily Mail?

usualsuspectsparkly3 · 13/12/2014 23:43

,sorry, SOH failure Grin

usualsuspectsparkly3 · 13/12/2014 23:44

You were joking,right?

WalkingInaWhippetWonderland · 14/12/2014 00:01

yes I like charity shops especially when things still have tags on, I got a arran style jumper which still had the label on it £24.99 from H and M the other week for £3.
Pound shops are good for basic things, but not as exciting as charity shops.

ladybird69 · 14/12/2014 00:09

Love charity shops. Dd NEEDED a leather look jacket from department store it was only £35!!!!!!! Walked across the road and bought nearly the exact same jacket in a charity shop £6 reduced to £3 Smile

Mrsdavidcaruso · 14/12/2014 00:51

I manage a charity shop and my prices are very cheap, like M&S and primark knitwear for £1 (the one next door sells the same for £3.50) and we are CLEAN, floor mopped everyday, shelves and rails polished 3 times a week and nothing goes out on my shop floor unless it has been steamed or cleaned (even the shoes get polished)

And as for my elderly volunteers, I have an ex librarian an ex care home manager an ex teacher and believe you me they are not dozy at all

Livingtothefull · 14/12/2014 01:02

I shop in charity shops all the time. I have bought some wonderful things at amazing prices. The other day I bought for DS a Lillywhites pure wool sweater for £4.

The trick is to be as fussy as in any other shop and be prepared to (mostly) walk away with nothing. Keep looking & eventually you strike gold.

TreadmillTiger · 14/12/2014 01:15

Used to love Charity shops but prices round here have increased so much over the past two years or so that it is hardly worth the trouble anymore. Shame really as have to be much fussier and I'm sure they probably lose out in the end.

debbriana · 14/12/2014 01:25

I love charity shops but not pounds shops. For the pound you spend some of the products are smaller. Secondly, you are more likely to pay for things that cost less somewhere in a supermarket. You just have to know your prices and shop around. The truth is shop like the pound shop are asking producing company's to make products that are smaller in price to match the inflation. They can't increase there prices beyond a pound. But the products will cost them more.

The pound shop is the equivalent to primark. You need a good eye to look for the best value among junk. There is always one or two things.

They are also one of those places where you go in to pickup a few things and come out with unnecessary stuff. You then realise they are cheaper with a better quality somewhere else.

I would always advice people to shop for there things somewhere else.

RedButtonhole · 14/12/2014 01:28

I love the charity shops, particularly good for books and childrens clothes.
I got a £35 pair of Next shoes, still with the labels on for a fiver.
Cancer Research often have brand new Tesco clothing in their shops, end of line stock I think.

Love a pound shop as well- one near me is great for snacky food and branded toileteries.

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