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.

Hi everyone,
Just seen this thread - does this extend to furniture etc.?
Not only do I love charity/junk shops, but if you're looking for furniture gems - try the council tip!
Where I live, all the tips have a re-use section and there is the most incredible stuff there - if you visit on the right day of course - I've found some excellent stuff, some very retro things that get chucked out when people redevelop.
I don't want to sound like I spend my life at the tip(!) although I always have a good rummage round the re-use section when we're getting rid of stuff. I highly recommend it...
(they do charge, but it's minimal - set of shelves for £2, pics for 50p etc....)
Happy tip hunting!

I use them for children's videos/dvds. Usually 50p or £1.

Absolutely included furniture!

To all those living in Edinburgh, the Bethany Shop in Duke Street and the other one in Leith Walk and Bernardo's in Leith Walk are absolute goldmines for furniture!

gerbrajess, I don't think our tip does that. It's a great idea though.

You know, I get so cross when people say they don't shop incharity shops because you can get clothes cheaper in Tescos. Yes you can, so long as you don't mind exploiting workers in the Third World, depleting the world's resources, clocking up lots of air miles and not giving a percentage of all you buy to a worthy cause......

I buy all my books there.

It's a win win thing, good for the environment, good for charity, cheap for me.

The only thing is it takes time to rummage around!

And I agree with seeker.

Not everyone has the luxury of spending more than they need to though. If money is tight then you are going to do what's best for your family aren't you.

I buy loads of books in them.Never had any luck with clothes though,despite rummaging through shops in Alderley Edge and Knutsford in hope of serious stuff!
Prefer Ebay for clothes.Loads of bargains there,especially Boden,Fat Face etc.
I ebay loads of my cast offs too.

right now I have no choice
But actually, even in more flush times I can't resist a bargain! In my town a lot of stuff gets donated to charity shops from retails shops. Last week I scored loads of M&S ex-samples for the kids,
And i get a preverse kick out of admitting my admired outfits come from Oxfam etc
And it is fab for children's videos etc.
And I get through a book a week on average so without charity shops I'd be destitute...

I would shop in charity shops, no question, if I didn't live in manksville.

I buy loads from ebay, and have got to a point where if something costs more than a tenner, I consider it to be expensive!

my winter coat is a tweedy pink next one from the YMCA, £10
my spring summer raincoat is a pink
Liz Claiborne number, which was £20 but still gorgeous
I don't tend to buy shoes, tbh

EXPAT (or anyone else who might know) - where are the good charity shops in Edinburgh? Any in city centre?

I mostly shop in charity shops for clothes and shoes. I use Ebay too but 1 out of 4 times stuff doesn't fit quite right.

I like charity shops because they are cheap!

(am currently wearing denim skirt from ebay)

Went out with friends for an early evening get together earlier on, wearing a top I'd bought in RSPCA shop for £1 and got lots of comments (good ones!!)
And today got a box of Lego system t make a pizzeria, loads of extras in there too, all for £1 and ds has had several hours fun out of it already.

Come on then posey, 'fess up, where is this fab new charity shop in N1?

I'm always buying stuff in charity shops. When I go out friends now say "ooh that's a lovely top ..... go on, it was 50p or something".

One of my best bargains was a Leappad thingy for £2.50. Dd has hardly played with it, but what's good is that I was going to get her one for last Christmas, so I'm so pleased I saw it and didn't waste more money.

Ooh frogs tis not a secret, just new. I keep telling people about it.
RSPCA shop on the Cally, opposite the Buddhist Centre, opp the end of Bridgman Road. Doesn't smell, clothes are clean enough to wear without washing (although I do) and staff are nice. They also have a woman who takes all their crappy old jewellry bits, beads etc and remakes it, into beautiful rings and stuff.

It is just what a charity shop should be!

I get all my books for me and the kids from charity shops. often get deals like 10 novels for £1.

Board games and jigsaws are often good buys, but only if the shop checks them to make sure they are complete. I have a fab shop that has a lady that does all the jigsaws first to make sure all the pieces are there.

Kids clothes for under 7's are fantastic, baby clothes amazing, but clothes for older kids can be a bit worn.

Had some good bits of furniture and a silvercross coachbuilt for £5.

Find it harder to get clothes for me, they are often dated or simply not in my size. had a couple of nice coats though.

Always love a bargain and the browsing experience, never know what you will find.