To use school bank shop?

[12345abcdefg]

A bit of background. Family is DH and I, plus 2 DC. DH and I work hard and are certainly not poor, but also not rich. We are very careful, and budget. Now we are no longer paying for nursery we can scrape together enough for small holidays (usually UK, occasionally abroad in Europe). We never go hungry, but we definitely watch what were paying for.

There is a school bank in my area which is created a small pop up shop. Obviously I'd never go for free items, I certainly don't need them, however 99% of the time the shop seems to be empty of customers.

I try to buy second hand whenever I can to save money/environmental reasons. Part of me thinks if I buy from there as least the money goes back to the school bank, plus they have a shop and it should be used. This is the first time they've done the shop, usually they only work on a referral basis. The referrals are still happening as usual this year, the shop is just a new addition.
The other part of me thinks all items should be left for those who need them a lot more than me. I can afford to buy the items new.

If it helps, every time either of my DC outgrow their school things I always donate them and will continue to do so.

What do you think?

IANBU-of course you should shop there

IABU-of course you shouldn't, leave it for those who need it

Go for it! The shop is open to anyone, and from experience if it is not used it will be closed down! Too many people feel like you do and don’t use more affordable options because they re worried that it means people who are less well off cannot access it but I promise you, in my line of work I’ve seen so many similar initiatives ruined by this kind of thinking! It has been created to support anyone, and they will definitely appreciate your support!

@Confused007 thank you!

Use it. Our primary school did a uniform sale each term, donations to the PTA collection box welcome but optional. After year 1 I got all the kids branded stuff from there (one kept losing stuff, one got things filthy/torn) rather than continually forking out at the official local uniform shop.

Do it - it’s there for everyone if they are not referrals only and is much more environmentally friendly than buying new. Our school had to stop taking donations of secondhand uniform last year as they couldn’t move it on which was a shame. For what it’s worth I buy mine a new set so have a pristine one for first day, photos and any other special days, then get the rest secondhand.

Normalising the reuse of items will reduce the amount of new things being consumed. Do it.

I always buy uniform from the school second hand shop where I can. It’s not just about affordability but it is so much better for the environment and it also raises funds for the school rather than just lining the pockets of Tesco or the uniform supplier. If it is open to all, you should definitely feel free to use it.

Both my son and daughters Grammar school had shops for reusing uniforms, I never thought twice about using it and neither did any of the other parents. None of us are short of money, it’s just the sensible thing to do. I’m positive that my children’s friends parents didn’t have a high income also used the shop and we all would pass clothes between us or donate. Use the shop.

Definitely not unreasonable.
I buy new where I feel it's needed for example shoes but things like logo school jumpers etc, if there is a second hand one that is fair quality to where/use I will always get this even if only for a spare.
School skirts and dresses for example, I think I have only bought new when my first started school.
If in good condition at the end of the year or when out grown then I donate back.

Nothing to do with how much we do or don't earn, it's common sense.

My sons went to a fee paying prep school and most of the parents were quite well off. The second hand uniform shop did a roaring trade, most people used it. When I unpicked the old name tags from DS 2’s blazer there were 5 of them, all one on top of another. Much better for finances and the r environment.

I'm not exactly sure what a school bank shop is, but ime these things work best when they're "marketed" as good for the environment and fundraising for the school.

"Poor" people often want to avoid the perceived stigma of using support aimed at poor people, but if the comfortably off are also using it, to avoid waste/recycle uniform and support the school, the stigma is removed.

Why the big long winded explanation op. Do it if you want. My dc 30k p/a has a uniform shop and ALL the parents use it including us. not sure why you need permission to do so.

@hmmimnotsurewhy apologies, I thought that was quite clear. This has always been marketed as a referral only support for those that can't afford school items, similar to our local food bank.

This is the first time they've had a "shop". Items out, asking for money donations instead of giving a price.

Anyway, thank you all. I used the shop today.

I do it, as well as saving money it’s better for the environment.