Get involved in the debate on haggling in charity shops with insights from the Skint Dad community. Is it right?
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Charity shops are like treasure chests.
You never know what you’ll find inside!
Some of us (ok, me!) love a good rummage through the racks, hoping to spot a hidden gem at a bargain price.
But when the price tag on a second-hand item seems a bit steep, is it ok to haggle?
Let’s see what the Skint Dad Facebook community has to say.
When prices seem too high
Some of our community members have spotted prices in charity shops that are higher than buying new!
Debby shared a story about finding dresses priced more than she originally paid for them.
“I laughed and said I donated these dresses,” she said, sparking a conversation about the fairness of such pricing strategies.
Charity shops vs. new items
It’s interesting to note how many of us think twice before donating to charity shops because of high prices.
Lisa mentioned she’s now more inclined to donate directly to those in need, like women’s refuges, after noticing high prices at charity shops.
The Mary Portas effect
Miriam blames the “Mary Portas effect” for the rising prices, suggesting some shops have tried to upscale their image without considering their local clientele’s budget.
This was echoed across the Facebook post, with many noting that while charity shops aim to raise money, they also need to remember their audience.
Are some prices justifiable?
Carol shared her disappointment upon finding books and clothes in charity shops priced higher than new items.
This opinion is widespread, with many noticing the same trend and deciding to donate to or shop at places that offer fairer prices.
I’ve also found that prices can vary from place to place.
For instance, London – expensive! I just don’t bother.
But, when we lived in Southampton, as it’s a student-based area, there were some total bargains!
Living in Kent, we could see the difference even when travelling a few miles. Our home town was considered “well off”, and the charity shop pricing mirrored this.
However, the prices were much more reasonable if we went to the next town.
No longer thrifty
Russ commented, “I feel for people on a low budget; they’ve just been priced out at many charity shops. They’re no longer thrifty or charitable.”
I wonder how much of this may be down to people who flip items.
It can be an easy way to make money in a side hustle, but it can mean cheap goods disappear off the shelves, leaving less for people who actually need cheaper items.
The case for and against haggling
While some members, like Jane and Sue, feel justified in voicing their disappointment at high prices. Kay shared that she’d rather walk out than haggle.
Others, like Heather and Louise, feel it’s not right to haggle in charity shops, emphasising respect for the cause.
What can we do?
So, is it ok to haggle at a charity shop?
The consensus seems to lean towards “no,” but with a strong message: charity shops need to be mindful of their pricing.
Overpricing not only makes potential supporters turn away from using them but can also decrease donations and community goodwill.
Instead of haggling, consider discussing prices respectfully if you feel an item is overpriced, especially if it’s damaged.
At the end of the day, the aim of charity shops is to support good causes, so let’s help them by donating and shopping as we can.
Plus, charity shops still need to pay their rent, bills, insurance, and all other overheads—which is never cheap!
If you find prices too high and want to support a cause, there are always other ways to donate directly to those in need or find affordable items elsewhere.
Find out other ways to give to charity without donating money.
To our wonderful community, thank you for sharing your stories and opinions and let’s keep the conversation going.
Share your experiences, tips, and thoughts on how we can support each other and our local charity shops. After all, it’s about making every penny count and helping those in need.
Anonymous says
I have never known a charity shop to haggle and l have worked in them. Yes some shops do charge exorbitant prices so l for one don’t shop in those particular shops. Some charity shops are fighting to stay open with the cost of everything going up, electricity, gas, rates etc.
Shaun says
I always donate unwanted items to charity shops, and I change the shops I donate to so different charities are helped. I also regularly buy items from charity shops, but I have certainly noticed an increase in prices at charity shops. The price increases are to be expected as the costs of running a charity shop have increased such as electricity and rent.
I have never haggled over a price at a charity shop, as I believe it is morally wrong to try and reduce money going to charity where it could help others. I understand charity shops might not know the value of everything and ask too much for an item, and in that case I simply don’t buy it. If an item remains unsold, the shop may lower the price eventually which I have experienced, and then I buy the item.
If you believe the price of an item is too high, just think of it as paying for the value of an item plus a donation to charity! Or just walk away if you don’t want to pay, afterall you don’t haggle prices in supermarkets or brand name high street shops, so why do it in a charity shop when the shops are there to help charities? Plus if we all start haggling at charity shops, they could close down if they cannot pay their costs to keep the shop open. They are still one of the cheapest ways to buy items from shops.
David Moore says
It’s not okay to haggle, we’re not at a market stall in a faraway land where it’s the done thing.
Prices are getting higher, because charity shops are getting more savvy about what’s valuable or not. Sometimes a good deal slips past the younger volunteers though ;)
I suppose you could say if that a designer item that has been there a while is mistakenly over priced (looking at you BHF, you’re not as posh as you think) then it’s OK to ask for a little bit off.
Graham says
What you haven’t addressed here is how many people buy to sell in charity shops myself included. I haggle to make a profit & don’t feel guilty if I’m taking a small profit still. I’m retired & a hobbyist dealer. I have an eye for things from being an antiques dealer back in the 80’s. Lots of charity shops price too high then reduce when no one wants it unfortunately. The real point is, I spend between £50 & £100 each week in those shops to make a small margin so I think it’s win all around. Is it morally wrong? I would like to hear what people think.