A Cornwall shopper said she 'lost the will to live' after encountering what she deemed excessive pricing at charity shops in Truro, prompting her to head to Primark instead. Chelsey Bowen, a regular charity shop visitor, documented her experience while searching for a light-pink jumper for a work campaign.
Disappointing Bargain Hunt
Bowen began her search at a British Red Cross shop, where she found a pink jumper that was slightly too small but priced at a reasonable £3.50. 'That is exactly why we go to the charity shops first,' she said. 'I found exactly what I wanted, but at a fraction of the price and got to give the money to charity.' However, subsequent visits to other charity shops in Truro revealed items she considered overpriced.
Among the items that drew her criticism were a box of used candles originally sold for £2 at Poundland, priced at £1.50; a blue nylon bomber jacket for £35; a pair of ordinary boots for £40; and a faux-fur coat with a £50 price tag. Bowen claimed the coat was originally from Primark with the labels cut out. 'I know for a fact this was Primark with the labels cut out,' she stated. '£50 for a Primark faux fur jacket that they've cut the labels out of on purpose? I feel like that's naughty. Very naughty. It's a used jacket. It's too much.'
Pricing Concerns
Bowen expressed that the pricing 'just gave greed' and that she 'lost the will to live' after seeing the £50 coat. She decided to go to Primark instead to find her outfit. 'I'm actually going into Primark this morning to find a light-pink jumper for an ad campaign that I'm working on,' she explained.
Charity shops typically set prices based on brand, quality, condition, and location. Staff often consult online platforms like eBay, Vinted, or Depop to gauge market value, and major charities provide pricing guidelines. The goal is to sell stock quickly, with unsold items often reduced over time. However, Bowen's experience suggests that some shops may be pricing items too high, potentially deterring bargain hunters.
