Charity shops: now unreasonably expensive?

Kitty-kitty

I know I'm opening myself to a lot of abuse here but as someone who grew up with charity shops, I can't help but notice - in spite of the recession, charity shops are increasing their prices. I know they have to keep up with rent, but things are beginning to get ludicrous.

Concern are the worst offenders; their pricing has always been higher than everyone else's but their (second hand) book shop in Rathmines is selling books off at higher prices than Chapters, who pay for the second hand books they sell.

I have found, more than once, on charity shop racks, clothes with the tags still on from the original shops and a higher price on the charity shop tag.

It's now cheaper to buy the clothes new from Penney's, Dunnes and Tescoes, and occasionally, even high street stores.

Yes, I know the concept is charity, but the great thing about a charity shop is that it works both ways. Charity shops get given clothes. Lower income families (and halloween costume shoppers, and the occasional fashionista) buy them, charity gets money, families save money, everyone's happy.

If it is indeed rent prices... why are the Irish Cancer Society shops consistantly still reasonably priced? Am I right? Am I in the right forum? Should I just shut up and go to Penney's? I'm not here to bitch, I genuinely want to know what the story is.

bluto63

In England here, charity shops are still very cheap. I saw some jackets for sale for £2 the other day. I agree that charity shops should be generally cheap, since whatever they make on the item is completely profit (in the sense that the goods cost nothing, not claiming that they're raking in the cash)

proon4

Oxfam are worse...5 euros for any cd and i mean you can buy them new for that. The price of their clothes is bordering on crazy

dr.bollocko

They're not charity shops any more. They're vintage clothing shops. And they're too expensive for the likes of us roysh.

Snakeblood

I think you should picket Oxfam.

Duggy747

Charity shops are supermarkets for hipsters.

They buy 1970's curtains and wear them as pants.

TanG411

I got a Spongebob Squarepants ukulele for €5 in the Irish Cancer Society shop in Cork. They're usually €15 or something in Smyths.

Also a Playstation game for €1. It was Final Fantasy VII.

AnonoBoy

I love the smell in charity shops.

Smells like Grandpa's basement.

Memories. *sigh*




Charity shops don't have my misshapen mutant uncle chained up in them though.

Snakeblood

Tombiman wrote: »

I got a Spongebob Squarepants ukulele for €5 in the Irish Cancer Society shop in Cork. They're usually €15 or something in Smyths.

Also a Playstation game for €1. It was Final Fantasy VII.

Aeris

dies

.

Kitty-kitty

Tombiman wrote: »

I got a Spongebob Squarepants ukulele for €5 in the Irish Cancer Society shop in Cork. They're usually €15 or something in Smyths.

Also a Playstation game for €1. It was Final Fantasy VII.

That's amazing! Though I've always found the SVP and Irish Cancer Society shops the best ones.

proon4 wrote: »

Oxfam are worse...5 euros for any cd and i mean you can buy them new for that. The price of their clothes is bordering on crazy

Ross O'Carroll Kelly books in Oxfam for €8 last time I looked. Mad, isn't it?

FatherLen

damn hipsters

iamstop

The 'big name' charity shops are too expensive, most are ok though.
There is 3 in Rathfarnham village, 4 in Rathmines, at least 3 I can think of from Aungier St. to Dame st.
Popping up all over the gaff.

Odysseus

Kitty-kitty wrote: »

Yes, I know the concept is charity, but the great thing about a charity shop is that it works both ways. Charity shops get given clothes. Lower income families (and halloween costume shoppers, and the occasional fashionista) buy them, charity gets money, families save money, everyone's happy.

The concept I always had was these shops are there to help those who can't afford the big shops. Making money for the charity is part of it, but I always considered the main point was helping those who buy there.

However, I have little time for most Irish charities, I do a bit of charitiy work in Africa every year, at least there I see where the money is going.

proon4

Odysseus wrote: »

The concept I always had was these shops are there to help those who can't afford the big shops. Making money for the charity is part of it, but I always considered the main point was helping those who buy there.

However, I have little time for most Irish charities, I do a bit of charitiy work in Africa every year, at least there I see where the money is going.

sorry but in my opinion most of the money that goes to Africa never ever reaches those most in need.....

Odysseus

proon4 wrote: »

sorry but in my opinion most of the money that goes to Africa never ever reaches those most in need.....

Not with the one I'm involved with as I spend time in the camps and with the people each year. However, yes there are a lot of iffy charities about, but I get the opportunity to see where the cash goes, most people don't have that opportunity.

proon4

Odysseus wrote: »

Not with the one I'm involved with as I spend time in the camps and with the people each year. However, yes there are a lot of iffy charities about, but I get the opportunity to see where the cash goes, most people don't have that opportunity.

Good...keep up the good work..

foxinsox

Duggy747 wrote: »

Charity shops are supermarkets for hipsters.

They buy 1970's curtains and wear them as pants.

I got A-Team (original 80's series) pair of curtains for €4 in local Sue Ryder Shop.

Not sure to make pants or use them as curtains


They had a PS2 for €25
PS2 games for €3 or €4

I think most of the charity shops are still cheap enough, but there seems to be more people shopping in them so there is more competition to get to the bargains first.

iguana

Odysseus wrote: »

The concept I always had was these shops are there to help those who can't afford the big shops. Making money for the charity is part of it, but I always considered the main point was helping those who buy there.

Then you are working under a very false assumption. Charity shops exist only to raise as much money possible for their cause. That's it, charities have a particular mission statement and that is their only purpose. If you can get what they are selling cheaper somewhere else, then buy it somewhere else. They will get the message if they can't sell the items.

However a lot of the times the items are valued fairly well. The books which are being sold for more aren't books that get reduced or remaindered by regular bookshops and supermarkets. You might get a book for €3 somewhere else but you won't get that book.