Charity Shop Bargains

[AnnO'Neemus]

I bought the decanters containing the red and orange bubble bath from a charity shop in Chorlton a couple of weeks ago. The others were previous charity shop finds, except the one with the wooden stopper, which originally contained a gin liqueur from Aldi.

 

[Epona]

I bought the decanters containing the red and orange bubble bath from a charity shop in Chorlton a couple of weeks ago. The others were previous charity shop finds, except the one with the wooden stopper, which originally contained a gin liqueur from Aldi.
View attachment 290047

They are gorgeous!

It proper looks like you have lotions and potions, lovely

 

[Epona]

I mean I have some decanters but they contain alcohol, it's not quite as pretty as that

If/when I quit, I know I can put my decanters to good use doing other stuff

 

[killer b]

Also picked up this silk & pashmina shawl for Mrs B - check out those colours!

 

[mx wcfc]

Local church fete find this afternoon!

First edition, Moscow 1970.

 

[izz]

I bought the decanters containing the red and orange bubble bath from a charity shop in Chorlton a couple of weeks ago. The others were previous charity shop finds, except the one with the wooden stopper, which originally contained a gin liqueur from Aldi.
View attachment 290047

What a beautiful idea and they look luscious !! Well jell, I don't have any space for that, the cats or him indoors would knock them over and the hot water supply to the bath is inadequate. Love the fact that someone has a decadent unguent correction though.

 

[Epona]

I got a bundle of mismatched teaspoons for 99p yesterday in the Age UK shop.

Seems an insignificant thing but I can never bloody find a teaspoon when I want one, if this doesn't help then it means there is actually some sort of monster eating teaspoons in the middle of the night while I am not looking. Probably the same bastard that eats one sock from each pair of socks.

 

[moonsi til]

I found a striped top for my friends soon to be 14 yr old daughter & a black bomber jacket for her sister & a gorgeous plant pot that became a b’day gift with a Lidl plant added.

In next few weeks I will be taking 4 teen girls out to the regions finest charity shops so they can have a rummage.

 

[JuanTwoThree]

I got a bundle of mismatched teaspoons for 99p yesterday in the Age UK shop.

Seems an insignificant thing but I can never bloody find a teaspoon when I want one, if this doesn't help then it means there is actually some sort of monster eating teaspoons in the middle of the night while I am not looking. Probably the same bastard that eats one sock from each pair of socks.

Clothes pegs and biros too

 

[Badgers]

Nike sweater 50p
Nike jogger shorts 50p
Olive oil pourer £1

 

[Badgers]

Large clay biscuit barrel with a cork lid £2

Schoffel ski jacket £4 which is pretty much brand new

Schoeffel M SKI JACKET MAROISPITZE, Barbados Cherry - Free Shipping starts at 60£ - www.exxpozed.eu

...

www.exxpozed.eu

 

[Badgers]

Been a fruitful week here



Got one of these (red) for £1.50 today. Result as my scales died at the weekend and the RRP on this set is £26.99

 

[Sprocket.]

Been a fruitful week here

View attachment 293336

Got one of these (red) for £1.50 today. Result as my scales died at the weekend and the RRP on this set is £26.99

You will be able to weigh all the money you saved recently.

 

[killer b]

This pair of Crockett & Jones penny loafers. I'm not totally sure about them, but I've been loafer curious since I got a copy of Scott Walker's 'Songs from his TV Show' LP, the back cover of which has Scott in brown cords, a cardigan and loafers and he looks the coolest guy alive. Anyway, let's see. They were only 2 quid so no real loss if it doesn't work out.

 

[UrbaneFox]

I was shocked on recent trip to a reliable hospice shop to find that the books and bric-a-brac have gone, and it is 99% clothes. I asked why, and apparently the new manager of the chain wants to do away with the "jumble sale" feel of the shops.

I haven't got round to denouncing them online, as I have to visit more branches just in case this is a rogue branch, but a charity shop without bric-a-brac? It's an outrage.

 

[killer b]

there's a lot of this kind of nonsense about - I think if there's several branches of the same charity shop in a town, one or more of the shops may specialise in one way or another - triple the prices of the clothes and call it vintage, books only, etc etc.

 

[Epona]

I was shocked on recent trip to a reliable hospice shop to find that the books and bric-a-brac have gone, and it is 99% clothes. I asked why, and apparently the new manager of the chain wants to do away with the "jumble sale" feel of the shops.

I haven't got round to denouncing them online, as I have to visit more branches just in case this is a rogue branch, but a charity shop without bric-a-brac? It's an outrage.

What??? That is exactly what we like about charity shops isn't it? The wide range of stuff that may or may not appeal, the thought of maybe finding a cocktail shaker or a bundle of mismatched teaspoons that will come in handy - most things are going to be wanted by someone

 

[Chilli.s]

The family that run charity shops in a town near me generate a lot of rumors about their "business". I'm never sure that they get the kind of scrutiny from the inland rev or the charity commission or whatever. They have a glossy covering of religion and very worthy good work with poor people in far flung places. Also supposedly get paid for trips to these far flungs that are also holiday destinations, where they have several large properties including a very luxurious villa and compound.

How easy is it for uk based oversight to monitor what they spend on the other side of the world and ensure it is for charity and not to also fund a jet set lifestyle.

All the shop stock is of course free to them and many staff are volunteers or low wage.

Nice work

 

[seeformiles]

I think some charity shops have lost their way a bit esp. Oxfam which seems to now fancy itself as a rare vinyl specialist and antiquarian book seller with little knowledge of either aa reflected in the absurd prices. At least Sue Ryder, BHF, Cats Protection and the like are still good for a bargain.

 

[killer b]

I do understand the charity position here, which is that their role is to make money for their charities, not for people that buy cheap from them and flip on ebay / their own vintage shops / etc. But it is pretty annoying as a consumer for sure.

 

[Badgers]

One thing a lot are guilty off is over pricing shit clothes (Primark or supermarkets own brand stuff)

 

[killer b]

One thing a lot are guilty off is over pricing shit clothes (Primark or supermarkets own brand stuff)

this isn't a problem for me cause I'd never buy them anyway.

 

[seeformiles]

I do understand the charity position here, which is that their role is to make money for their charities, not for people that buy cheap from them and flip on ebay / their own vintage shops / etc. But it is pretty annoying as a consumer for sure.

I appreciate that point. I also feel for proper rare vinyl and book sellers who are put out of business due to not having the tax breaks, free stock and volunteer staff that the charity sector enjoys.

 

[killer b]

I appreciate that point. I also feel for proper rare vinyl and book sellers who are put out of business due to not having the tax breaks, free stock and volunteer staff that the charity sector enjoys.

I don't believe there's much of that actually happens though - even the most upmarket Oxfam record shop is still mostly selling reams of crap - there's no real knowledge or curation put into those places, they just check what stuff is selling for on discogs and put that as the price, often with no attention paid to the condition of the record etc. People who actually want to buy rare records in decent condition still go to the professionals.

 

[seeformiles]

I don't believe there's much of that actually happens though - even the most upmarket Oxfam record shop is still mostly selling reams of crap - there's no real knowledge or curation put into those places, they just check what stuff is selling for on discogs and put that as the price, often with no attention paid to the condition of the record etc. People who actually want to buy rare records in decent condition still go to the professionals.

A 2nd hand vinyl place round the corner went bust a few years ago citing unfair competition from Oxfam. The one I’ve decided to stop going to refers to the Record Collector price guide and charges the “Mint” value regardless of the condition or edition which is very annoying as it leads to the unseemly sight of haggling in a charity shop! More frustrating than anything tbh

 

[killer b]

A 2nd hand vinyl place round the corner went bust a few years ago citing unfair competition from Oxfam.

Like everywhere else, it's far more likely to be competition from online sales that did for him than the shitty overpriced oxfam place round the corner.

 

[seeformiles]

Like everywhere else, it's far more likely to be competition from online sales that did for him than the shitty overpriced oxfam place round the corner.

I agree the online market has made actual physical shops less important & the presence of an Oxfam wasn’t the only factor. However the overheads required for such a shop leaves those without charity status at a disadvantage if the charity moves into their specialist area yet operates without the specialist knowledge. I suppose I still selfishly want the pricing to be done by volunteers with a blanket £5 per LP policy so the thrill of discovering buried treasure still might happen. In more skint times, charity shops clothed me well and provided household items for little money. It was a resource for people on their uppers. Excessive pricing cuts that section of the population out (regardless of the goods).

I have no objection to paying the fair market rate for rare vinyl or books but I suppose my gripe really is that I feel less able to haggle in a charity shop as I would with a specialist since (and I suppose it’s my own personal hang up ) the loaded word “charity” makes it somehow shameful to do so. Therefore, it’s very frustrating to see a much sought after item marked perhaps £20 above its market rate and being unable to do much about it - hence why I try not to even look in the window anymore. Good luck to them if someone’s prepared to pay those prices but Discogs here I come.

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

I think some charity shops have lost their way a bit esp. Oxfam which seems to now fancy itself as a rare vinyl specialist and antiquarian book seller with little knowledge of either aa reflected in the absurd prices. At least Sue Ryder, BHF, Cats Protection and the like are still good for a bargain.

The records thing is ridiculous. I have asked in a couple of shops why the prices are bonkers. I was told management at 'head office' set prices. They just look them up on Discogs and give them the price of a mint copy sold in a specialist store. Firstly, a tattered copy is far less valuable, but secondly, what is the point of flipping though tiny charity bins if not to hunt a bargain? If I want to pay full price I can do that from the comfort of my computer.

 

[Monkeygrinder's Organ]

I'm not sure it's possible for charity shops to be simultaneously charging way more than market rate for records and sending dealers out of business by undercutting them is it?

 

[seeformiles]

I'm not sure it's possible for charity shops to be simultaneously charging way more than market rate for records and simultaneously sending dealers out of business by undercutting them is it?

While charity shops frequently overcharge as regards vinyl and books, they don’t always get it wrong. However, unlike the specialist retailer, all their stock is donated. If you don’t pay for stock or staff and your status gives you far cheaper business rates you can charge what you like and endure lean times much easier than someone having to shoulder all those costs and trying to make a living.