I am a newbie when it comes to op shopping…or thrifting as it is known elsewhere.
I have always been aware of op shops from a y0ung age as my parents used to have regular clean outs and our unwanted clothes, toys etc where taken to the local charity shop.
But I have never thought to actually shop in one until I discovered the world of vintage…and that vintage treasure can be found amoungst other people’s castoffs.
Now even my husband can’t go by an op shop without having a look.
But in our travels, I keep hearing the same complaint from other op shoppers…and it is one I don’t understand.
I have heard the following…”too expensive” and “I would never pay that much” or even “I could pick this up for next to nothing at a garage sale”!
Am I missing the point here?
Isn’t the whole idea of op shops is to raise money for charities?
I will concur that perhaps not all op shops are charity run…but the ones we visit definitely are.
When I have clothes to get rid of, I give them to op shops in the hope that they can get some money back to help those in need.
When I buy at op shops, the concept is the same…I am helping to raise money and I get some fab outfits and accessories.
Now I do know that op shops in more wealthier areas have higher prices then those in less prosperous suburbs, but that is to be expected because often the donations consist of more expensive brands.
In so saying, I must emphasize that you should never judge an op shop by it’s suburb/location!
But don’t op shops exist to make money?
We give them items to sell and they convert them into much needed funds.
The items are no where near new price…I have picked up new clothing still with the price tags on for a fraction of the cost.
I have also picked up as new designer clothing that I would never be able to afford at full price.
I like the fact I can put together a great outfit for much less then if I bought them straight off the rack…just like this one I put together today…a mixture of new, vintage and op shop…whole outfit cost less then $200…
So why do people complain op shops are becoming too expensive?
Can someone enlighten this newbie?
Are you a keen op shopper? What is your view on this…do you think some op shops are too expensive?
You’re absolutely right Sarah, people do forget that Op shops exist primarily to raise money for charities.
However the complaints are coming from those who have op shopped their whole lives and were used to finding treasure for 50c an item on a weekly basis and now see ‘designer’ or ‘vintage’ items with tags high up into the hundreds, which is often far more than a vintage store would charge and far more than most people who rely on op shops to be able to afford these items, can afford.
It’s a tough one, but hopefully Op shops will soon realise that an item sold for a bit less is more beneficial for their bottom line than an item with an ‘appropriate’ price on its tag sitting idle in the store for months on end.
Thanks Amy! I must admit I have never seen those sorts of prices at the op shops I have been to…the most expensive price I have seen was about $40. But I do agree…prices should be kept realistic, especially for those who do rely on op shops for clothing etc. And items which have been sitting in a shop for months on end should be priced accordingly…they are no use to anyone otherwise! 🙂