Disaster has struck in my cosy little charity shopping world. I refer back to a previous rant here about my favourite charity shop (which I visit EVERY day) where I heard whisperings about a "new manager" and "changes". Well, there is a new manager and changes have occurred - big time. Gone are the boxes of scarves, fabric, pillow slips, knitting needles, wool, sewing patterns etc which I used to love rummaging through and in their place are racks and racks of clothes (horrid and overpriced) and a diminished in size bric-a-brac section which is dominated by (horrid) glassware. Some of the clothes are "new" with tags on. If I wanted to buy new clothes I'd go to a shop which sells new clothes for God's sake. In fact our local Bernardos, it seems to me, sells nothing but "new" clothes- very unsatisfactory.
OK, I'm working myself up into a frenzy here - I'll stop moaning now, promise. Take a look instead at this little lot that I got recently on a chazzing trip:
Mmmmmm, don't they all look gorgeous on my Rosali duvet cover courtesy of IKEA? The lovely burnt orange Witney blanket was £1.99.
Large amount of fabric which I thought could be the backing for the patchwork picnic blanket I'm planning to make - 49p.
Two Baret Ware tins. The small tin was 80p. The biscuit barrel was £1.50 and is currently being used to store food for our two new guinea pigs Sooty and Squeak - they're so cute!
The piece de resistance has to be a metal detector for £2.99!!
Oh no, I fear that this may become a new obsession. Here's to unearthing lots more treasures, huzzah! Mr J and P says that I was born to be a gold-digger! And on that cheeky note, I'll love you and leave you.
What marvellous finds (especially the metal detector, I've always fancied one of them). I hate it when the rummagey chazza shops go all gentrified, new stuff such like....grrr! xxx
ReplyDeletemy favourite charity shop changed a few years ago and I was most grumpy about it! It used to have an upstairs with crochet blankets, wool, knitting needles and basically anything crafty related :(
ReplyDeleteI love your finds though, especially the blanket!
I hate it when they now think they are selling such high priced goods. Crazy and sad when the things you love are replaced by ugly and overpriced clothes! Sorry!
ReplyDeleteOh nooo! So sorry to hear that. On a lighter note, I'm glad YOU are back! Missed ya! Hey,
ReplyDeleteI found a Witney blanket this weekend too. I put mine up on eBay though because it's too freakin' hot here for wool blankets...
Ha my favourite moan what I call chain store charity shops hardly worth a visit. I wonder where all the stuff we like goes to.
ReplyDeleteI like your tins.
Ive always fancied one of those metel detectors where you have to wear earphones to hear the sounds of treasure :)
Cate x
Wonderful bargains, I do so love looking at other peoples purchases!
ReplyDeletexx
I love your anger and I feel your rage. Thrift stores aren't so thrifty anymore - even in Canada. We're so not Europe or Japan. You'd expect some genuine deals here, but they keep jacking the prices up.
ReplyDeleteWhat would they do if we just stopped shopping?
Erin
Oh I hate charity shops selling new stuff, it's completely against the ethos surely? And I hate it when they have a dedicated 'vintage clothes' rail, where they add an axtra fiver onto the price - I like to be able to rummage for vintage treasures not have them presented to me!
ReplyDeleteLove that fabric, can't belive it was only 49p!!
You just have to hope that some of the staff sneak the rummage boxes back. That's what happened at our local Red Cross. But isn't it odd that so many charity shops try to become regular shops. It just makes stuff more expensive and people won't buy. My fav shop is one for a local charity that doesn't have the problem of being governed by the whims of a head office and it's great. Plenty of rummage spots and papebacks for 50p. As it should be.
ReplyDeleteGreat finds! Love the tins.
ReplyDeleteShame about your local charity shop. Do these people not realise that we thrifters love a good rummage and that what they see as junk can sometimes be our ideal find?
x
great finds, esp. the blanket
ReplyDeleteI agree most aren't "charity" shops anymore
I love your finds, lovely :) xxx
ReplyDeleteI know what you are talking about - they have opened yet another charity shop in our local town - I went in to check it out - and couldn't afford anything! it looked more like an upmarket booutique, I left feeling rather poor and shabby...
ReplyDeleteKath
x
Know what you mean, I like a rummagey type charity shop, but sadly they seem to be declining. Great finds!Linda:)
ReplyDeletemy hubby would be green with envy over that metal detector as for the charity shop change I can think of nothing more upsetting (well maybe I can) than a lovely little shop that sells every-thing it is donated become a high street chain that's fussy over what it sells...very annoying I think a bit of complaining is in order xxx
ReplyDeleteBrilliant finds :-D I know what you mean about charity shop "makeovers" - one of the shops in Durham underwent a "makeover" a year or so ago - all matching hangers, funky displays etc. Quite apart from then making the purchases more expensive to coverr the cost, is this what supporters of the charity give their money for? Surely it's to support the cause not to allow the charity to grow into big business. xxx
ReplyDeleteIt must be happening all around the country because some of the 'chain' charity shops here are trying to go upmarket and we pay the price by the new inflated prices. But thank goodness for local charity shops our Hospice shop is bright, clean, friendly and full of treasures and it even has a 70p rail which is great for me with my upcycling.
ReplyDeleteBeverley
www.beverleylovestosew.blogspot.com
It is so sad when charity shops do that I do agree, our charity shops round here sell lots of new goods and never seem to be all that good really. I love the charity shops in Brixham, Devon where my parents live, Mum works in a fab one and comes back with some wonderful finds. I love the fabric, great find.
ReplyDeleteJo xx
It's such a bummer to see charity stores trying to be a new store. Hello there's a reason they're called charity stores!!!
ReplyDeletehttp://wearingitonmysleeves.blogspot.com
I couldn`t agree more!
ReplyDeleteSpecially with the Bernardos charity shop in my hometown.
So much of the stuff is new, that has put me off of shopping there!
You should try going to an auction!
There`s fantastic bargains... boxes of bone china, can sell for only £10.00 or even for less!
DEBBIE MOSS
What a shame..why do they have to change everything? They're losing out aren't they at the end of the day,because you will take your custom elsewhere.Had a little rummage while in Cornwall..will be posting what I found soon! Love your Rosali duvet cover.Does Ikea still sell them? :o)
ReplyDeleteLovely finds! Where is this great place...it's good it's too far for me...! I'm happy for you finding so wonderful things and materials with so lovely prices! Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteWishes from Crete Teje
Gorgeous chazzing finds babe. Shame about the remodelling and rearranging.
ReplyDeleteTa for your comment over on Magic Beans, really chuckled at the chins up old girl bit. I thought I hid my chinS quite well...! Ax
I agree most charity shops are going that way, i love a good rummage too, but sometimes just one glance at the crap window display and i just cant be bothered! its all getting a bit 'sterile' Can i just say i love reading your posts they are so funny and expressive and you always make me laugh, No wonder you always have tons of lovely comments!!
ReplyDeleteIt's happening over here also. Goodwill thinks it's a reatil store now. Very little of the donated items and a lot of stuff they get from department stores. I do love those tins though. Very cute!
ReplyDeleteI'm hideously jealous of your Witney blanket.
ReplyDeleteThose things seem extremely cheap in my charity shop book. You lucky, lucky thing.
PS I'm officially loving rummaging through your blog. :-)
I'm your newest Follower too!
Help me out here...what does 'chazzy' mean?
ReplyDelete