Charity shops own brand prices

[Whatton]

Was out shopping today, having a good look around a charity shop ive never visited before. At one side of the store (massive store) was a couple of rails with a back drop with a brand advert, for a brand id never heard of. Looking at the clothes, it was obvious they were unique pieces. Speaking to one of the staff members about it, they informed me some of the clothes they get donated which are marked or damaged they give to local colleges/unis for pupils studying design to use and these rails were some of the results the students had come up with. Not to my taste but thought was a great idea someone getting use out of damages. The AIBU, the pricing on these clothes! Was mind blown to see nothing on the rail for less than £120. Most expensive was a denim patchwork dress for £450. I dont know what prices i was expecting but it wasnt that, there was no further information into the amount of hours/work that went into each piece or anything. Aibu to think that is a very price for an item made out of free donations?

Well they clearly think someone will pay it, so good for them. After all, you're not paying the premium for the fabric but the design and work.

Goodness me, that is steep! I work at a CS myself and we are cheap. We'd rather shift everything quickly to make space and get food in the cat's bowls.
I 'upcycle' the tatty jeans we are given into shorts and they are £2 a pair.

Thats the thing, the rest of the shop was very reasonably priced, picked up a few pieces for myself. Just these items of this "brand" were pricey.

Im surprised that the Charity shop is the right outlet to sell these. I mean most people go into a charity shop expecting lowish prices. So if you were looking to spend hundreds of pounds you just wouldn't be going into a Charity shop to do it.

I have recently stopped looking in and buying from charity shops as they are getting greedy, recently I was looking for a navy blue suit jacket, brand new in cheeper named shops was around £20-£30 , the local charity shop was wanting £40 for a used second hand one that had noticeable stains , no idea how they can justify that price tag

That seems a lot for stuff that has been made by students. £450 would be the sort of price you would pay for a known designer.
I thought charity shops could only sell clothing that had proper labels and cleaning instructions in? I could be wrong on that, and am happy to be corrected.

I think this is a policy in some 'chain' chazzas but it certainly isn't a law.

People charge what people will pay, not how much something is worth. You only have to look at all the entry level tut by known design houses that otherwise produce lovely stuff.

I wanted something from Oxfam last year - a teddy bear on at £80. I wrote to them explaining that I am pretty much the only person who buys these bears in the UK (true!) and that it was worth £35. They wouldn't budge. I waited a few months and then bought it in the sale for (drum roll?) £35. I wasn't being stingy, as £30 was more accurate, but I wasn't going to be fleeced, charity or no. It is a bad habit, not an addiction 😆

My friend offered a price for one of the items, was still too much to me but like you say it's worth what someone's willing to pay. They refused and said to keep an eye as prices are changing all the time.