Does charity begin at home? (General Charity Shops)

Member Name: wisemind

Product:	General Charity Shops
Date:	21/02/09 (166 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: can find the odd bargain, supporting Charities

Disadvantages: lots of stores now seem overpriced

There are a wide range of charity shops most high streets have at least a couple. There are charity shops to support all sorts of charities from save the children, the British heart foundation, and the Red Cross to help the aged.

I started looking in shops when I was pregnant with my son mostly for toys and to see what the clothing was like.

I was very disappointed in the clothing, most of it seemed to be much bobbled and the kind of things I would throw in the bin. I have found some great toys some are reasonably priced but I have found some items particularly character items to be well overpriced for second hand shops. I have found cancer research to be one in particular to be very expensive

While I know that a percentage does go to charity the majority of people who shop in these stores do so because they don't have much money. When I can buy brand new items in the supermarket for roughly the same price as a charity shop then I will pick the supermarket every time. I find this surprising when they don't actually pay for stock it is all donated.

I find one of the most annoying factors of charity shops is why are the kids and baby items all at the back of the shop. There tends to be very little room to manoeuvre a pram of wheelchair around these shops yet seem to have little planning in layout.

When my son was very young I was in a cancer research shop with him in his pram, the baby section was along the wall at the entrance to the stock room. When the assistant told me I had to move my pram as it was blocking the entrance to stock room I did move it right out of the store and didn't return.

These are the negatives of the charity shops but there are lots of positives.

The staff in the stores all are volunteers and generously give there time to benefit others.

You can occasionally get a bargain
I have however found one shop that was great it was headways shop which does work for head injuries. I am not sure if it is just my local store but I have took quite a few baby items in and they have give my son the odd toy free . I have bought many items from this store quite a few pairs of curtains that were between £3.99 and £5.99 which I was happy to pay.

I did have one bargain a cardigan for 99p. It is a lovely comfy cardigan and was reduced because a button had come off but was still in the pocket so I was able to sew it back on and have a great cardigan

I also bought a Clarks pair of boots for £5.99 which were practically brand new.

You can create an individual look rather than one on the high street
And obviously these do support charity and in the times of credit crunch Charities are facing hard times

It is well worth a browse but don't assume it is a bargain because it is in a charity shop .
Give your unwanted items but if it is only fit for the bin then put it in the bin or recycling bin.

Summary: Still worth checking out