In recent months, charity shop workers have been quite vocal about their roles. One previously urged shoppers to stop donating a specific item deemed disgusting, while another warned about strict policies.
Shopping in local charities are a great way to support a cause, seek affordable clothes and even help the environment. Over the years, the role of a charity shop volunteer has seen a lot of change. Now a worker revealed how it actually feels like “quite a shame”. Speaking about their job, the person claimed it does depend on the shop you work for and the management as well.
In a post on Reddit, a person began: “Maybe it’s just me, but charity shops feel completely different compared to a few years ago.
“Some feel far more expensive now, some feel picked over constantly, and others are overloaded with fast fashion. At the same time, finding an amazing piece second-hand still feels better than buying new sometimes.
“I’m curious how other people feel about it now, especially in the UK.”
The person asked what still makes a charity shop worth visiting, as well as what puts them off. They also wondered whether others were getting reasonable prices.
Someone came forward and revealed in the year or so, they’ve come across one big change.
Answering the original post, they said: “Absolutely. I volunteer at a well-known charity shop and the prices have massively increased in the past 18 months.
“It depends on the shop and the management but the targets set are far higher than previous years. It’s such a shame and seems somewhat counter productive.”
Another chimed in: “I have been shopping at charity shops since I was around 16. In the last few years charity shops have become far more expensive and I often find myself buying new instead.
“For example a second-hand top in decent condition is £6-10… I can buy for the same price or cheaper new on sale.”
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Shopping in charity allows you to save money and reduce your environmental footprint. Not to mention, it can directly contribute to a vital community for several causes.
It shifts your spending away from commercial giants and channels resources toward a highly sustainable, circular economy.
There are a number of things you can donate to charity, for example, clothes, books and electronics. You can also directly donate money, food and your time through volunteering.