Charity shops aren't doing themselves any favours

[Downatthefarm]

I can afford to buy new but prefer to buy second hand. I enjoy the experience of sifting through the varied clothes in the charity shops and finding things I wouldn't otherwise see on the high street at that time, and of course I like other thrifters love a good bargain.

Over the last 5 years charity shops have really gone downhill where I am. They price second / third hand clothes similarly to the original RRP, sometimes even more expensive.

They are stocking more and more brand new items, like Frenchic furniture paint, priced higher than it costs at places like Wilko's and B&Q.

I already know somebody will say "the shops purpose is to raise as much money for their charity as they can, not to cater to people who don't have much money" but hasn't being accessible to people with low incomes and being good value for money always been one of the most appealing aspects of them?

I still donate but do the vast majority of my own second hand buying on vinted now and I know lots of others are doing the same.

AIBU?

That's good to hear.
FWIW I find that there's a lot of variations.
Some excellent bargains when I go to affluent areas of London.
In my NW town with street full of charity shops? Nah, I'd rather go on Vinted.

We have a lot of children-/babyclothing to donate, but I prefer to give it to people who need it directly instead of bringing it to charity shops where it gets overpriced and only people with money can buy it.

Definitely not affluent town I should add! i'MS URE where all the rich footballers live... there will be lots of WAG castoffs.

There's nothing better than opening a bag of clothes and realising they're folded, clean and smell nice. 😁

We currently have someone downsizing so has brought in over 100 good hardback books in the last week (gift aided!) and those have sold really well - 3 for £1 for most books in my store.

I follow a woman “palmbeachthrifters” on Instagram and she always finds the most amazing items.

Perhaps ebay?

spotted this recently..thought it was a weeee bit pricey for a used, TU children’s top!

Ah another charity shop bashing thread. Most charity shops have a price guide and workers generally can’t deviate from it, they have rent, bills and wages to pay and charity’s are very strict with how much each shop has to make, if it’s only breaking even it will close so the ones you are visiting will be making money for the charity which is it’s whole purpose.

Two have closed in our town in the last few months and both of them were the most expensive ones.
The one that used to be very well priced has a new manager and was selling absolutely knackered kids converse for £15 and a bobbled Primark top for £6 which was more than retail new.

The others are great though and seem to do very well, one is always never more that £3 an item and sells loads. The other sells new Zara stuff for a reasonable price but enough for them to make decent money.

Pdsa always ask me

Also, the workers don't necessarily agree with the decrees from head office but we do have to abide by them - pricing structures, round up, the expensive new goods we are sent to sell, what we can and cannot accept as donations (yes, we also think it's stupid that we can't use perfectly good coat hangers which have been donated).

The Cancer Research in Bradford is cheap.

I was talking about this today - might as well buy on out of season sale, clearance or outlet. Usually works out cheaper than some charity shops.

Here in Cambridge they vary tremendously. We have 2 very good local ones that are very reasonably priced. One has a regular size 12/14 donator who gives away terrific stuff for Boden, Phase 8, Whitestuff lovers. There’s been a decline in bric-à-brac and furniture places recently in the city. Oxfam and few others have started selling stuff at pretty expensive prices and targeting vintage customers with a penchant for 70s style.

I live in SE England. Prosperous town with fewer and fewer shops in our once busy high streets. The shopkeepers can’t afford the rents and tax. The potential customers can’t afford the parking costs. This results in fewer shoppers. So the 9 charity shops within 1 mile of town are able to price their donations high. 3 Charity shops closed last year. They are far too exp. It historically was Oxfam who charged too much but we have BHF and TV Hospice and Age Concern all joining the over priced.

Then we have the charity shops who sell new items. I’m confused so I’ve given up.

I've just picked up this Oliver Bonas blouse on vinted for £5 and have some similar in my favourites list.

Charity shop employees - what would you price this at in your shop? Just out of curiosity

I do think their heads can be turned too much by a label. Several times I've seen a very highly priced item, say Burberry or Jaeger, but it's got a noticeable stain or mark on it. That makes it worth next to nothing IMO - and is why it was given away in the first place.

why do people donate items with a stain? Who do they think will buy it?

Rich people who CBA remove stains?
I thought they had housekeepers to do that though.
The miracles I've achieved with various household substances...

@PomTiddlyPom
some people seem to think we have a washing machine at the back of the shop and try and get the stains out..
where I volunteer we might sell it ‘sold as seen’ for a nominal amount.

@Downatthefarm
I don’t price clothes, but more than £5.

It’s a shame so many charity shops sell the best stuff online. I like to try stuff on before I buy. You never know what it will look like on you till you do. That’s why I don’t buy online. even if you can return, it’s a pain to do so.

What do you mean by this exactly?

Over the last 5 years charity shops have really gone downhill where I am

Downhill in what way?

Oliver Bonas would be £7 or £8, assuming cotton and not silk. You might be paying a fiver on Vinted but are there not other charges like postage on top?

Yep OP same here. I am thrifty, love a bargain and want to help charity but feel a bit shafted when the items are so expensive. There are still some gems but I mostly buy my second hand things off Vinted and buy food bank bags when shopping as a community contribution.