Charity shops and their hugely inflated prices..

[Charityshops21]

I've always loved charity shops and usually pop in whenever I pass one but I've noticed since they reopened post lockdown the prices have more than doubled in many places.

Take the Sue Ryders local to me, women's tops and dresses used to be between £3 and £5, I went in this afternoon and saw that the same type of clothes (not expensive brands in the first place) have at least doubled in price.

£9.99 for a second or third hand faded jumper with loose threads.

£7 for an atmosphere (Primark) blouse that I know only cost that brand new.

£15 for a battered pair of shoes.

I understand the need to recoup losses but AIBU to think this is bad and will alienate their most frequent customers? IE poor people me

The thought of books being sent for recycling just because they're 'decades old' (rather than genuinely too battered to read) makes me sad. Lots of old books are very soight after. I really hope someone at least takes the time ti check their value- or thry go to a person/company who does.

The thought of books being sent for recycling just because they're 'decades old' (rather than genuinely too battered to read) makes me sad.

Me too. Also the fact that several charity shop staff on this thread have proudly stayed that they only put recent paperbacks on the shelf and recycle the rest explains why the shelves are now an interesting mix of whatever Tesco have been selling at 2 for £7 this year. All the old Penguin classics have gone to be pulped.

Uninteresting, not inter

@NotImpossible @TheYearOfSmallThings I agree that's a shame but I think the onus is on the donator there really.
As much as CS frustrate me sometimes, you can't expect volunteers to send all old books to an expert. They get bloody millions of them!

I was shocked at the prices! I used to donate anything that didn't fit or flatter back to the charity shops, but now that ordinary high street tops are £7+ there is no point, you might as well buy new. I know some charity shops let you return things but it's not something I would feel comfortable doing.

...

It's highly unlikely that any charity shop would send Penguin classics for recycling.... copies of 'Fifty Shades' are a different matter though ... and the book recycling companies will go though all the books again before they are pulped.

@BlackElephant

We have 2 shops almost next to each other

1 moved to a central drop off point during CV19 and stuff is then sent to their 8 or so local shops. That means this shop which is probably their most affluent isn't getting its usual stock. Since that point the stuff has been incredibly expensive and tat (piles of plain glass ware priced at £4 a bowl or pair of wine glasses - would have cost a £1 new). They are empty and the same stuff has been in for weeks

The other currently has bric a brac at a £1 (the very good stuff is a cupboard and currently at half marked price). They are heaving and stuff is flying out. They have different stuff each day and they are still having to limit drop offs as they cant cope with donations.

'Heaving'? I do hope not my DH still cant have more than 6 customers in his shops at one time due to social distancing rules.

@milveycrohn

Charity Shops are often quite expensive - more so, than I think they should be. I once saw a lovely cookery book in the window - looked newish. RRP was 25.00, but the price in the charity shop was 16.00, which I decided was too dear. Instead I managed to get the same book - brand new from Sainsbury at 5.00. Also, when it comes to clothes, around where I live, anything that is remotely nice goes to friends of the volunteers working in the shop. I am not sure how I feel about that, but basically, don't like the idea of the charity itself missing out, so as long as they donate a suitable amount, I think that is OK.

NOT in the shops my DH runs, I volunteer on Saturday and someone donated some china I collect, I was not allowed to buy it, it has to be in the shop for 5 working days before staff and volunteers can buy, and I wont get it at a cheap price and most certainly not free, I will pay the full asking price less the 25% discount I get because I am a volunteer It will not be a donation it will be put through as a bona fide sale and details of the sale entered into a book, so it can be audited DH has it in the window I am praying its still there on Saturday

The Red Cross shop here is shocking, if an item is a decent brand they slap a big ticket price on regardless of condition. But we also have a shop that just donates its profit to various local charities, they pile it high, sell it cheap and I guess make quite a bit judging by their stock turnover.

@MoiraQueen

The Red Cross shop here is shocking, if an item is a decent brand they slap a big ticket price on regardless of condition. But we also have a shop that just donates its profit to various local charities, they pile it high, sell it cheap and I guess make quite a bit judging by their stock turnover.

We have a community run "thrift store" that runs out the back of a church. It's only opened on certain days and whatever stock they sell on that day goes to support that days charity or local good cause. Pile it high, sell it cheap. Quite nice to donate there as someone local will end up with those barely worn school shoes for a quid or two. Saves stuff going to landfill; benefits good causes and provides locals access to cheap stuff. I dare say they are not maximising their profits but the idea is that it both benefits the community and charity.

So many 'experts' about charity shops on this thread, as I posted earlier, I would love some of you to come and give me constructive adice on how to run my shop.

I also help at a community 'Freecycle' event a few times a year ... everything is free, no questions asked ... we still can't get rid of things ... we don't live in a particularly 'upmarket' area, lots of people are struggling but, for many, many reasons people often don't want 'free' or 'cheap' second hand items.

The type of people that like the Freecycle are those who want to avoid waste.

So many 'experts' about charity shops on this thread, as I posted earlier, I would love some of you to come and give me constructive adice on how to run my shop
This seems a bit of a defensive response to people are talking about their experiences of the charity shops in their area.

I object to charity shops selling run of the mill used items at RRP or close to RRP (not talking about collectibles here, more Primark clothing, or books on sale at Tesco). Either the person pricing doesn't know enough about the value of items, or they're pricing that high deliberately in order to take advantage of some shoppers who aren't as aware of the current new prices. Neither sits well with me and if it happens regularly I stop shopping or donating to that shop.

So many types of charity shop, from cheap and cheerful, pile it high, everything for 50p, to those that almost resemble up market boutiques. The successful ones make money for their charity, and its up to individuals to decide which ones they want to donate to and/or buy from.

As a volunteer, this has made interesting reading, and judging by the continued success of the shop where I give my time, we're pitched right for our customer base.

Neither sits well with me and if it happens regularly I stop shopping or donating to that shop

Or volunteer your time to find out ?

Neither sits well with me and if it happens regularly I stop shopping or donating to that shop

Or volunteer your time to find out ?
I don't care whether it's pricing ignorance or deliberately pricing high to fleece unsuspecting shoppers. I don't like it and there are other charities and charity shops in my area that I prefer to donate to.

I volunteered in a shop as a student (one that didn't sell supermarket clothing for RRP), and now volunteer for other organisations.

Why do I have to volunteer in a shop instead of choosing to donate my items to shops and charities of my choice?

You seem to have a real issue with customers outlining their experiences of their local charity shops.

Not at all, in every sector there is good and bad.

But what I do object to is this myth which many people perpetuate that everyone who volunteers in a charity shop is either just a bit dim and clueless, or intent on ripping off the public. Or a thief.

I agree with the OP
I've given up going into charity shops as they're ridiculously expensive.

But what I do object to is this myth which many people perpetuate that everyone who volunteers in a charity shop is either just a bit dim and clueless, or intent on ripping off the public. Or a thief
Has anyone actually said that everyone who volunteers are those things?

Or have they (like me) said that they question when shops price used primark/supermarket clothing at RRP?
There is a huge difference.

As far as I'm concerned, either:
A) the person pricing used primark at RRP doesn't know what RRP is so is doing it by mistake
Or
B) the person pricing used primark at RRP does know what RRP is and is choosing to price a used garment as new in the hope that someone who doesn't know what things sell for in primark will pay

Both are problematic.
I don't understand why anyone would be defensive about customers sharing their opinions on their experiences.

As a volunteer, this has made interesting reading, and judging by the continued success of the shop where I give my time, we're pitched right for our customer base

This is the point isn’t it? If a shop is selling items then it’s probably about the right level. If I go to a nicer area of London I know I’m going to have access to better brands but also that some of the pricing is more than I think is reasonable. It’s a choice I make. I’ve also benefited from rather low prices.... silk ties from Jermyn St priced the same as polyester ties, new Hogan boots with dust bag for £8. It’s a bit of swings and roundabouts situation.

I think a lot of this comes down to the fact that people have an expectation that charity shops should be selling things cheap as chips, and that by not doing so they’re doing something morally wrong.

There’s an independent gift shop type place on our high street - I know a lot of what they sell I could buy cheaper online if I chose to. Similarly the independent bookshop is often more expensive for popular titles compared to big chains that discount. No-one seems to throw their hands up in outrage about this, indeed people usually say we should support local businesses.

But when it comes to charity shops there seems to be an attitude that they owe us a bargain.

But when it comes to charity shops there seems to be an attitude that they owe us a bargain.

Because it's second hand?

They all vary so much. Oxfam annoys me with the prices of their books. £3 for a paperback, I could get a brand new one for not much more!

@Feelingbad2

They all vary so much. Oxfam annoys me with the prices of their books. £3 for a paperback, I could get a brand new one for not much more!

I don’t really understand this attitude - it’s not like books go off is it? If it’s in good condition and still cheaper than you can buy it new and it’s contributing to a good cause what exactly is the problem.

I dropped into Oxfam the other day, had a quick through a nicely presented selection of books (didn’t have time for rummaging) so bought a couple of £3 books - both looked like they’d never been read, I was completely happy to pay £3 for them.

From reading all the posts it sounds like there's a huge variation in pricing policies across different shops. The Sue Ryder and BHF shops in my home town are ridiculous - and I just avoid them now.

That said, went to my local hospice shop yesterday and picked up some as-new M&S jeggings for a fiver. I think it's just about scoping out the good shops and showing them some loyalty.