A charity shop manager has shared her insider tips for finding the best charity shop bargains in the UK, including the best day to visit for new stock and what to look out for when thrifting.
Best Time to Visit for New Stock
Speaking to Sky News, charity shop worker Amy Lorenz, based at the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance store, shared her biggest advice for those looking to pick up some new discounted gear. She said: "We take off items that have been on the shop floor for three weeks on a Friday evening and put new stock out Saturday morning, so coming after lunch will ensure you see new stock."
Her advice, however, is that different shops will most likely operate on rotation days that differ from theirs. With this in mind, it's recommended that you enquire at your local branch about which day their stock is refreshed, and plan your visits accordingly.
Seasonal Trends in Donations
Regarding the time of year, Lorenz explains that their biggest influx of donations typically arrives during "the post-Christmas and spring clear-out season". When people tend to be decluttering during these periods, it means a greater number of items come flooding through the doors of charity shops.
Key Tips for Securing Bargains
Her other key tips for securing a charity shop bargain include thoroughly browsing every section of the store, even those you wouldn't normally associate with your size, taste or gender. Her reasoning is that, as stock is constantly changing, so too is its layout, and you never know what hidden gems you might uncover or what may have been misplaced by other customers.
The charity shop manager's further advice was to remain patient. She told Sky News: "If you are hunting for a particular item, you need to accept that thrifting is a marathon, not a sprint. Keep looking and one day the perfect item will be there waiting for you."
Misconceptions About Charity Shops
The manager revealed there are many misconceptions about charity shops, one being that shoppers presume the stock is all dated, when actually, they offer a diverse selection. Contributions arrive from all manner of sources, including trendy young donors and working professionals, alongside older contributors, resulting in a "huge range of items for all styles and sizes."
While these establishments welcome variety, they draw the line at soiled items and things that haven't been looked after properly. Following the receipt of a pair of dirty underwear, the manager discovered this wasn't always the case and urges donors to consider "would I be happy giving this item to a friend?".
