Charity shops are becoming more and more essential (Charity Shops - Comments)

Member Name: Mioliere

Product:	Charity Shops - Comments
Date:	07/01/09 (80 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Bargains for customers, much-needed funds for worthy causes

Disadvantages: Some of them charge high prices

It seems every town and village has its fair share of charity shops these days. There is obviously a great need for them. I use them all the time and will always look in a charity shop for an item of clothing or a book orsomething, before I consider buying brand new. For the last couple of years, I have picked up several real bargains, including brand new items that I have given away as gifts.

Charity shops are great for all clothing, especially children's. Most of them charge 50p to £1 for something that would be a lot more expensive to buy brand new in a shop. Most clothing that is donated nowadays is clean and in good condition - a far cry from the old days when charity shops first came into existence.

There are many charities with shops now. My favourites are Barnado's, Scope, Vitalise, Crysis and Help the Aged, but we also have shops in the neighbourhood which raise funds for local charities and they seem to be some of the best around.

I used to love Oxfam but I don't often visit my local branch because I think they are very expensive. I know they are there to raise funds but most of their customers are not wealthy and, on more than one occasion, I have seen something, say a skirt that originally came from Next, priced at more than it would have been to buy brand new. As all the items are donated, and they rely on the less-wealthy for custom, it seems unfair to price items beyond their reach. We have a brand new Marie Curie shop opened just a few months ago and that is also too expensive for most people I have spoken. My local Vitalise just charges £1 for adult clothing and 50p for children's, so you can go in there with very little money and come away with a bargain. The simple charges attract a lot of customers and they are always busy.

Another thing that annoys me with some charity shops nowadays, is how much brand new specially bought in stuff they sell. I always thought the original idea for a charity shop was the recycling aspect - taking in donated items that other people would be happy to pay for, so making money for charity shops with very little outlay on stock. In some shops, the brand new items are taking up more and more space and they always seem to be the same unimaginative things. I would much rather rummage around in the donated items, looking for something and hoping to be surprised, than buy something brand new. I can go to other shops for new items.

I was told once that the shops are only allowed to sell a certain percentage of stock that is brand new, but I'm not sure that they all follow that guideline.

With the current credit crunch, I think more and more people will be turning to charity shops to keep themselves and their families clothed and kitted out with necessities, so I hope they continue to offer their great service. I love having a good turn out and donating a bagful of clothing and books - it all helps to keep the shop and the charity going and, as I have found myself, what one person doesn't want, another has been looking for for years. Long may they continue.

Summary: An essential part of the high street