I try to find a home for nearly everything I no longer need. When we lived in South Africa it was easy to get rid of everything, from newspapers to line the inside of shacks with to keep warm in winter, to broken electrical items that would be dismantled and components sold. Even our recycling was collected and sold on, especially plastic bottles.
I learnt quickly that even out of date food was a vital resource for many also.
I'm currently in the UK, I don't have much for donations, but I'll often bring things over with me if I have space in my case that I know will be of use here to others.
What I do a lot of in the UK is buy from charity shops. They will be my first go to point for everything, whether its for a hat for our sons wedding in September to a new wash bag for my travels.
My current charity shopping list:
- Books to read
- Jeans
- White trousers
- Casserole dish
I've noticed the prices in the charity shops have increased in price and I've noticed worn clothing only a fraction of the price cheaper than buying new in the stores.
Whilst out looking for a casserole dish, I ended up purchasing a new one for £1.75 in Wilko, as the charity shops were charging over £2. I can't help but think that some of them are pricing themselves out of the market. I know the point is to rehouse and reuse unwanted goods, but I'm not prepared to pay over the odds to do so.
- Do you use charity shops, either for donating or purchasing?
- Do you favour particular charities? I like the Dog's Trust for clothing.
- Do you find the cost of items has gone up and the quality has gone down?
- Are there too many charity shops in the high street?
I did not know they had green charity jobs. That is great! I wish they would start green thrift shops in the US. Sharing.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good point you're making: there is no point wanting to give up items so that they can be reused if one isn't prepared to actually buy pre-loved items... #goinggreen
ReplyDeleteI buy pre used before shopping for new but sometimes I feel I'm not getting as good as bargain as 2nd hand items should be
DeleteI saved so much over the years. They are my first point too.
ReplyDeletePlease leave or carry a note about high prices to give them. Only then they do some thing about it
I've not thought of letting them them know their prices for 2nd hand are more expensive than new in some places
DeleteThe problem of perceived over-pricing by charity shops is the fact that big chains are selling items under-priced (often as loss leaders) or, in the case of clothes, made in sweat shops where workers are underpaid and work in appalling conditions. For these two reasons, and the fact we need to get into a culture of not always buying new and/or cheap, whenever I am in the UK I always head to as many charity shops as possible. #GoingGreen
ReplyDeletein my opinion the over priced stuff in the charity shop is the same make/brand/made in same conditions as the over priced stuff in the stores in the first place, except the stuff in the stores is sold cheaply because of the poor working conditions and pay, charity shops should reflect this and encourage more people in
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