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For quite a while I've been unemployed and unable to get a job. I've had to save the pennies and restrict my spending to essentials. This has meant shopping for some items at charity shops. I've bought a shirt or two and some jeans and jackets over the past few years. In the middle of tough economic times I'm sure I'm not the only one who heads for the charity shops.
things that charity shops sell are donated free
However, in the last few months I've noticed that some shops (Mind and Oxfam for example) are pricing up things to ridiculous levels. Considering a lot of things that charity shops sell are donated free, why do they insist on hiking up the prices to unreasonable levels?
Last week I saw a shirt I wanted but it was priced at £7.75. It was a Marks and Spencer shirt and it was clearly not new. Compare this with going into Sainsburys where they have two brand new men's shirts and a tie in a pack for £10 or £12! Which would you go for?
To me, some of the large UK charities are getting just a little bit greedy. I know they serve a purpose but when they first appeared you could get a good deal. Now it seems the main ones are out to rip you off.
I now look in the small independent charity shops that are less well known but usually have fair prices for second hand goods.
Still, I may eventually get a job, that is if I can beat the other 250 applicants to it!
By: Down & Out
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I've bought stuff from our local market that is cheaper than the charity shops.
That's all you can find on today's high streets.
Welcome to modern day Britain.
Anywho I do also find some charity shops are very costly with books and clothes I worked for slavation army core which has a charity shops and we sold any item of clothing for £1-2 regardless of make etc. I went to salvation army charity shop as part of a chain and they had prices from £3-8 :O.
I know charity shops now run as business's and need to get money to pay bill etc but most people who work there for free and so only the managers wages are the issue so ton down prices I do think oxfam is the worst offender for this
Lately I have been in quite a few and the prices are high in some.
I've also noticed that there is quite a bit of junk on sale.
A few years ago you used to be able to get a bargain, but not anymore.
If you are going in looking to find things of value then you will very rarely see anything now unless you are lucky.
Anything of value never makes it to the shelves which I think is very unfair. Everyone should be able to have an equal chance of buying anything that is donated.
I was in a shop the other day when I overheard the manager saying that they had some ring in that looked valuable. She said that they got on to local jewellers who looked at it for them. I said to the woman is the ring for sale now in the shop and she said no as it was sold to that jeweller.
I then said that it wasn't very fair as it was donated and everyone who comes in the shop should be able to have a chance to buy the ring.
Instead this jeweller has no doubt made a profit.
I am not against him making a profit, but it was donated and we should be all given the same chance of profit or purchase.
In another shop in the past I heard the workers talking about how a valuable book got missed and someone came in the shop and bought it and made quite a profit.
Good on them as they bought a donated item fair and square.
Childish as expected. Thankfully you spared us your usual drivel.
Ssshhhhhhhhh. There, there.
xxxxxx
I look forward to reading your next post right after this one as I know you will not be able to help yourself. My next post will be next Saturday should I need to reply.
So keep me in your head until then and keep checking, and I also look forward to you posting in another name soon too, can't wait.
Dog lover
Take a look at the high streets all over the UK. Charity shops everywhere, when all the other shops cant afford to stay open.
I actually donate a lot of stuff, but I seek out the charity shops that charge reasonable prices. Therefore, giving people less fortunate than myself, a chance to be able to buy them.
I think the word 'CHARITY' has been forgotten. Its now a big profit making business!
I know a lot of people who are now refusing to go in to charity shops. Insteas, using sites like Vinted.
Its such a shame that people cannot even afford to shop at charity shops these days. So, so sad!