why are charity shops so expensive now?

[mklanch]

AIBU to think charity shops are now so expensive and overpriced?

i havnt been to one in about 3 years, but there is one near me that always has a lovely window display. i went with my husband as i saw a lovely jug and bowl in the window and was hoping to purchase it.
once inside i went over to the jug and it was slightly chipped here and there but so pretty. i turned the tag over and was shocked at the price. i was expecting a maximum price of £15-£20......but it was £50!!!
i thought well perhaps its a well known one, so continued to browse the shop. came across a little butterfly trinket box, it was very pretty but has a very large repaired crack right through the lid. i expected it to be under £5, but no, it was for £25!
even used clothing from regular brands (tu, George etc) was priced at over £6 for just a t-shirt!
when did they get so expensive?
i went in there because i don't have alot of spare money at the minute and really wanted to get something nice but not spend a fortune. how the hell have i been priced out of a charity shop?

Thank you TheGenealogist and MachiaNelly for clarifying the point about what appears to be new retail stock in some stores that I thought must have been bought in. What you say makes a lot of sense as I never understood why a charitable organisation would routinely buy in stock when donations are given freely. I had thought this due to passing this particular chain you could see there were always new clothing lines on display, often the same brand and a couple of stores close together (neighbouring towns) displaying the same lines. Yes, that makes sense what you say about it being most likely large corporate donations of end of line stock. Might be worth labelling these new stock lines to let customers know that although they are new lines of the same clothing items, they were donated.

I went to a city recently I've not been to before.
The charity shops there were absolutely extortionate. I didn't buy anything. Barely anyone in any of them even though the city itself was busy (it's very touristy).

In a town close to me there are two shops that sell all their clothes for a pound an item, regardless of brand. Kids toys are 3 for a pound.
They both have new stock out every single day. Regardless of day or time they're always busy.

I do get that they need to make money, and especially after Covid they are probably desperate to recoup losses.

But people (including me) are skint, they go to charity shops to find a bargain. If people can afford to pay high prices, they'll just go to a shop where they can get it new.

I found 3 nearly new books yesterday for £2.50, very pleased.

Clothes not so great and yes always expensive for what they are especially as they are so dated often

@Jellyfishnchips

Thank you TheGenealogist and MachiaNelly for clarifying the point about what appears to be new retail stock in some stores that I thought must have been bought in. What you say makes a lot of sense as I never understood why a charitable organisation would routinely buy in stock when donations are given freely. I had thought this due to passing this particular chain you could see there were always new clothing lines on display, often the same brand and a couple of stores close together (neighbouring towns) displaying the same lines. Yes, that makes sense what you say about it being most likely large corporate donations of end of line stock. Might be worth labelling these new stock lines to let customers know that although they are new lines of the same clothing items, they were donated.

Plenty of charity shops sell new goods alongside donated stock which they have bought same as any other retailer to sell on with markup.

It's because at the end of the day they are a business, but the one I worked for sold cheap tat at a massive markup.

"You surely, surely didn’t just pull a rather stupid assumption out of your arse and share it? Why would someone do that?"

@MissTrip82 🤣🤣🤣 this made me laugh. you've just summed up MumsNet!