to think charity shops are too expensive and have lost the plot

[Hermi0ne]

Its just silly at this point. Was browsing through one of my local ones and they want 5 quid for a bobbly primark shirt! I can get that new for less! I thought, originally, charity shops wanted to also help poor people being able to afford clothes, those days seem long gone. It just really annoys me.

Yes I think its terrible the prices that charity shops charge - they get stuff for free and then they often charge more than you can buy it for delivered from ebay! And yes they should consider the poor customers and support them. What type of people mostly go into charity shops? The rich? They can buy the stuff new. I only give my donations to charity shops that remember that they are charity shops and not some kind of boutique.

It's shocking I went into a cancer research shop today and I saw a primark tshirt on the rack for £2.50 it would have been £2.50 new possibly only £2 . What the heck is going on .

We have one local one that us cheap and another which us a bit overpriced. I take the kids in to the cheaper one so have spent a lot over the years on random toys that they had to have! Often re- donated the next month.

I've also got nearly new (lights working, no wear on them) Clarks shoes and a pair of slightly muddy but otherwise very good condition Nike Airs for DC for 50p a pair though which makes up for the rest. I also once bought DC a wallet for £1 which turned out to have a pound in it!

The one near me charges almost giveaway prices! The manager said it’s because times are hard and she wants to help the local community! Example I bought a skirt for £3 that I know costs £35 . I pointed that out and she said she knows but wants to help and that is what charity is all about.

Manager sets the prices, sometimes they get it wrong and both over and under price. But they charge these prices because people do actually pay these prices.

Its not just 'poor' people, you will regularly get professional resellers, jewellers & bargin hunters in looking for anything they can resell at a profit. The really cheap stuff is sent off to warehouse stores or car boot sales.

Agree OP but on the other hand, they're looking to maximise profits so you can't blame them for trying. To my mind the issue is a little deeper and running through society - there's no initiative encouraged or allowed. I guess you wouldn't have had a problem if you could have pointed out the error to the shop person and they could have lowered the price having seen the mistake.

@Sazzle41

"my old home town, people are too posh to/frown snobbishly re. ebay so its charity shops all the way"

Or maybe, for the same reason as I give not sell things, you like to help others out when you've done alright for yourself. It's a good thing to do yet you have an issue with it. Bitter?

Many vintage clothes shops/dealers/sellers have arrangements with charity shops in expensive areas. Donated designer items seldom make it to the shop floor as they are 'put aside', bought and then sold on for a profit.

I have donated many good quality toys, books and clothes over the years and rarely see them on sale.

I will still donate as it's a hassle free way of clearing out.
However, knowing people who work for charities, I am also under no illusion that times have changed.