'I want to support charity shops but the same issue puts me off the idea'
A bargain hunter has highlighted a common 'issue' shoppers are facing in charity shops, inviting people from across the country to share their recent experiences
Everyone enjoys a good deal - but without dedicating time to searching for them, finding one can prove difficult. This has led one shopper to express frustration about what she sees as a problem with charity shops, as she encouraged others to share their own experiences across the country.
TikTok user @ellenagall posted a video highlighting a recurring issue she's encountered while browsing stores as she stated: "Charity shops are not charity shops anymore. I just went in a local charity shop - the prices in there were absolutely insane. There was stuff from Primark for over £10. I can guarantee you it wouldn't have even been £10 brand new.
"Obviously, I want to support charity, but they need to be convincing people to spend money there. I don't want to spend money in a charity shop if I can get the item new and cheaper."
She claims the staff pricing items in charity shops are getting it "really off" and suggests this could be contributing to the closure of charity shops nationwide.
The woman said: "Nobody wants to spend money on things that are so expensive and second-hand. I think the people pricing items need to be a bit more aware of what they're doing."
She then invited her followers to share their views and whether their local charity shops remain "true to their name" or if rising prices have pushed them away.
Commenting on her video, one user said: "I used to shop a lot in charity shops, but now I find Vinted cheaper. I'll do what's best for my budget."
Another user added: "I'm having a civil (ish) battle in the comments under a charity shop manager here. She says that everything is more expensive, but their stock arrives for free."
A third user said: "Because charity shops were for people who couldn't afford clothing, then it became a trend and prices got higher - so now people who can't afford to buy new can't even buy from charity shops.
"Five or six years ago people would be too embarrassed to go in; now they're 'thrifting'."
One more user added: "Agreed! There is a charity shop in my area and everything is £1 - £2, and the place is always packed with shoppers."
Another user said: "It's less about charity; it's all about maximum profit and senior management wages. It's a business now."
Discussing the matter on MoneySavingExpert, another shopper expressed frustration about charity shops increasing their prices to such an extent that they've stopped shopping there altogether.
They said: "I went to a few charity shops today in a poverty-stricken area, and the prices they are putting on items are ridiculous.
"I understand that they have to make money and I donate to many charities, but I looked at a pair of jeans and the price tag was £300 in a charity shop.
"Who goes into a charity shop in poverty-stricken areas and has the money to buy such an item? Are they capitalising on low-income families? I thought these places were for people who can't afford to shop in retail stores.
"I was disgusted when I asked them why they were so expensive. They just said that I didn't have to buy them and I could go elsewhere. What do you think about this?"
Offering a different perspective on the high prices, another user suggested: "If a charity shop prices things too low, it rapidly gets weeded through by people who sell online for a profit."