h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

You can get some great things from Charity Shops, Clothes, toys. games, household items, electrical items, furniture & you'll also be helping a good cause as well as helping your own financies.

Charity Shops are also where you can send those unwanted gifts.

But, aviod those cheap shops, loads of cheap mass imported rubbish, that don't last five minutes, most of these products are not bargains, just a waste of money.

Foxy

It's amazing what you can find in those places - sometimes nothing but tat; other times you can find absolute gems. A friend of mine was approached recently and asked where she bought her clothes; when she said "Well, I get them at the thrift shop - this outfit cost me less than $20" the response was "Oh. Don't you mind wearing other people's castoffs?" As if the washing machine did not exist. Ho hum.

I agree, things can be washed I have found some wonderful bargins over the years. My tip is to go to charity shops in the posher areas. People discard better things sooner.

A few years ago, when at university, I needed ball gowns, I helped run a couple of the balls and going to charity shops let me a different drees for each event. I was able to pick up Laura Ashley dress for £5, only worn once.

Thrift stores are wonderful--especially for clothing for young children .

For furniture try calling some places that rent out furniture--much of the time they will sell the previously used furniture for dirt cheap, usually with only minor blemishes. Or if you don't mind sacrificing some pride for a night or two and you have a truck try driving through a reeeaaally nice neighborhood on free pick up day (the day everyone hauls all the big stuff they don't want out to the curb). Afriend of mine got a new hot tub that way (and yes I mean the thing was brand new--the person didn't like the shade of pink).

Almost everything in my house is from charity shops..I have helped in a charity shops for the last 7 years..I'm lucky enough to get first look at the times I'm there..a lot of new & good condition items are donated..I'd recommend charity shops....

Emmily

Foxy, I agree with everything *except* electrical goods. Here in Scotland it's illegal for a charity shop to sell electrical goods unless they've been tested and certified safe by a qualified engineer; the upshot of this is that most shops won't touch them...

Before this was the norm, I used to be regularly horrified by the number of hair driers with exposed wiring, stereos with obvious burn marks around the mains lead etc. - if you want second-hand electrical goods, go to a shop specialising in them - if they don't offer a warranty, don't buy. Don't take a risk on things you spot in a generic charity shop unless you don't mind the prospect of a house fire shortly thereafter.

Hi Peet....
The law is the same here in England..all electrical goods must be tested..& they must have a sticker with a testing number..The electrician keeps a record of the date it was tested ..&..all the details of the item that was tested..
There are a lot of rules & regulations to selling second-hand goods..soft furniture must have a fire hazard warning..(unless it's more than 50 yrs old..(I think)..I wish I could remember more..my memory not too good....

Emmily

In Germany I'm not sure about the legal state of selling electrical appliances, but the charity stores I go to tend to only sell large appliances such as ovens and refrigerators, and they only accept them for sale if in working order and fairly good shape.

Also, going to charity shops is great if you like antiques, because there are a lot of little old ladies, who, after passing away, leave their family furniture to charity, and also offices that go out of business sometimes do too, which among other things has gotten me a beautiful filing cabinet from the 1930s at next to nothing.

I think these shops are getting quite cute when it comes to antiques. Very hard to get that undiscovered antique now thanks to Bargain Hunt , Flog It et al