Charity shops - do you or don't you and why?

[VoluptuaGoodshag]

Just curious. I'm a huge fan and have picked up some wonderful bargains. On wearing one particular ensemble which was attracting many admiring glances my DH mentioned that I'd got it in a charity shop. It was interesting to see the expression on people's faces. Some were a sort of 'good for you, that's great' type. Others looked completely aghast as if I was wearing something that smelled.

as for the Why, well why not really? it is cheap and green and a better choice than the same old same old in the high street.
but you do need some time to spare

those old ladies are weird, i don't want to end up like that. there are always lots of mcdonalds toys in them, or puzzles.

Ooh Fimbo where do you live? I fancy a visit to your charity shop.

I've not had much luck with clothes in the ones around here - there are only a few.

But have scored some excellent costume jewellry and bits and bobs - including a good tea strainer (new ones are crap), grater and some seriously good cookery and crockery.

Posey-Norfolk.

Did I mention I also got some Boden wedges that looked bn also for £1......[smug ]

i love chartity shops.

I love the surprise element of charity shops etc, though I don't usually find many clothes there, more books/videos and occasionally CDs.

I also think it's good that if you don't need something any more and there's still use to be had out of it someone else can enjoy using it.

We love charity shops, because you pocket money goes so much further.

DS informed me at the weekend "D'you know Mummy, I used to think charity was another word for cheap"

i used to, but now live in a poor area so the quality of stuff is barely above chucking out level. there are two shops opposite each other, one charity shop and one selling second hand stuff. the quality in both is really dire.

in contrast, a couple of miles away (London) there is a barnardos shop which puts such a ridiculously high price on everything that I boycott it.

I don't. I like new things...in nice bags (Chanel, Selfridges etc). Sad, but true.

Dh buys books for himself and the boys, and sometimes games for the boys from charity shops.

I buy kitchenalia from charity shops you can pick up some really great unusual things.

Children books too, so long as they aren't clearly chewed.

I can't quite believe I've just admitted that to the entire world

Forgot to say, when we were in town last weekend ds announced "There's mummy's favourite shop!" as we passed Cancer Research! I was so proud!

I do. My last two buys were a Gap denim skirt and a pair of Gap jeans for my DD (7 yrs). Total cost £1.80. Fantastic!

yes I do sometimes, mainly books for dd.
Last year I got a ted baker dress for a tenner! Once I got a designer label coat (think it was ralph lauren) for a tenner at Oxfam. It lasted for years!

I always buy my books from the charity bookstores, and occasionally have a scout about in charity shops in pursuit of fabric to use for sewing projects.

Nope, mainly because ours are full of dead old folks clothes and manky old Mills and Boons.

fishie the barnardos shop a few miles from where I work can be the same - v high prices.

My DD1 was really sceptical when her grandma suggested we looked in cancer research on Upper street in London during a recent trip but she came out with 9 items costing £30, including a sweaty betty top and trousers, 3 aeropostale t shirts, a next hoody, a waistcoat, a sisley t shirt and a jumper.

I got a bloomingdales scarf that still had it's tag on.

Where we used to live there were loads of bargains to be had, I once bought a Karen Millen suit for £15 that looked brand new.

NDP - shhhh don't tell everyone about my Mills and Boon obsession . Honestly, the shops aren't that bad y'know - I'm reading classics at the moment and there are always loads to choose from.

i went into one the other day in deepest hertfordshire. it was weird, like league of gentlemen stuff.

LOL washersaurus.

I donate to them but I don't buy from them.

I love them. Have one a minutes walk away. My last bargain was the ELC hoover that's £17.50, I got for £1.50!

i only buy for myself in charity shops, occasionally buy new for DD, but other than that, all of her clothes are cast offs too She has more books than the library (over 150 at last count and she loves them all ) far to many toys.

I buy because im a bit strapped for cash, but actually now, i dont think i would ever stop