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Do You Hunt for Treasures in Charity Shops?

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I only really look for bargains that I keep or get for others as gifts in charity shops, as my ability to scout out a hidden treasure that can be resold is not that good (I have not come across of anything of real value to be resold for a long time)

But I do know of people who regularly pick up things and earn lots of money

Have you been lucky in weeding out the treasures?

hspexy
over a year ago
Comments+20 points
Johnny

If you're doing it simply to make money, rather than for personal pleasure, or because you're a collector of something it can be easier to make money on eBay.

One of the simplest methods is to bulk buy something small and light (say 1,000 units) and split it up into smaller parcels to sell on (say 100 x 10 units).

E.g. something like these Rubber Garden Cane Tops / Safety Caps

Image

I've noticed people selling stuff they've bought from Poundland for £1 for more on eBay too.

Something that often goes for very little in Charity Shops that can be sold on for a profit is vintage fine china, especially things like teapots and jugs that people may have broken and want to replace. Watch out for Spode 'Blue Italian' pieces for example, it's still widely collected.

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hspexy

you hit the nail on the head with that one - it's more about pleasure rather than making the money, as I don't want the hassle of dealing with quantities. I just want to find those hidden but really valuable items, and there are not many to be found, as most likely others have beaten me to it. I have been advised to venture on the outskirts of London, as there are more treasures to be hunted - too many savvy types in London!

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Johnny

hspexy Finding a true bargain is so pleasurable, isn't it?! Especially if you collect something and can use your expertise to your own advantage. I spotted a rare 200 year old caricature once for £25 in a bric-a-brac shop that's worth £250-£300. There it was, just hanging on the wall. I spotted it immediately I walked in. Oh, the excitement! I just pretended I had no idea what it was, and haggled the price down to £15. Yippee!

Once or twice a year other ones come up for sale on eBay and I have an email alert set up just in case I can bag a bargain. The trouble is the courier costs from abroad often wreck the deal.

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hspexy

Johnny sounds like you've got a good and keen eye 😀 that 'ka-ching' moment is indeed awesome 👍

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Lynibis

I love browsing charity shops, I just don't like the smell! I rarely get a real bargain but recently I saw a Royal Albert, Old Country Roses bud vase and bought it for £1.50 for a friend who collects that china. As a full size vase costs £60 I reckon it may have been about £30 if new and my friend was delighted. I did tell her where I got it and for how much!

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Johnny

Second hand Royal Albert, Old Country Roses bud vases go for about £10 to £15 on eBay. Nice find!

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hspexy

ah yes, the smell is very off-putting, but I must admit they are making the charity shops more inviting to visit these days...but obviously at a cost, and sometimes the prices are eye-poppingly ridiculous! There was one time I saw a Primark dress in Oxfam at £8 - and I had previously seen it in a Primark for £3!

Ah good find 😀 - I usually check out the crockery but my knowledge is limited to Wedgewood and Toby jugs (thanks to watching a lot of day time tv as a student!)

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nicolajaynehend

Hi hspexy I love going to charity shops. I've yet to find a treasures . But what I do buy is throws some of them are new. And the cheapest throw I got and it was new and they were 50p each so I brought the 5 now that was a barging. Because I looked it up and the size which was extra large and were selling in shops new for £45. 00 each. When I asked the lady why they were cheap and she told be the colour which was black. To day people like things to mach. Me if I like it I get it. I love mixing colours. 🦉🦉

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hspexy

Hi nicolajaynehend! I do love a bit of colour myself - it brightens up the day 😀 Good find either way - it's the little things that matter as well 👍

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HannahSunderlan

I doubt this is the kind of treasures your referring too but I do go to charity shops specifically for candles! That’s my treasure! I burn them every evening and I get through them so often i find that charity shops are the best/cheapest place to pick them up ☺️‭ I ALWAYS come back with a few from going to my local ones and there only ever about 50p!

I do often get other bits that I like or if I see something that is brand new as a gift for someone.

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hspexy

ah yes, candles are good. I'm not a candle myself, but I do know people who are, and charity shops are indeed great places to check out candles

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Johnny

hspexy

"...I'm not a candle myself, but I do know people who are..."

Oh bad luck. Don't they get on your wick?

Perhaps, if you're very good, you can be a candle in your next life. 😂

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nipperjwb

My 6yr old granddaughter and myself love nothing better than rummaging through a charity shop. There are definately bargains to be found. We love it.

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hspexy

wow 6 is a young age, so definitely good to get her interested for hunting for bargains at a young age, so she can understand not to be wasteful

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nipperjwb

hspexy I call her my yellow sticker buddy 😊

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Lydskyd

Someone sold an old Brussel sprout from Christmas day on ebay for £37.

I am speechless!

And that is a rare thing for any woman!

#lol

😜

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jakemoss

I bet the buyer didn't bother to pay 😂

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Lydskyd

jakemoss No they did.

Apparently women sell their dirty knickers on ebay as well - you men will buy anything!

Now where did i put my washing basket

>

🙄

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jakemoss

Lydskyd Do you have a link to the ebay auction? 😁

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Lydskyd

jakemoss No the BF told me about it - heaven knows how he knows but he tells me its his pal Grant who bought some!

And i thought he seemed such a nice normal man!

You can never tell!

👍

Why?

I thought you were perfectly happy with the missus?

If you give me 15 minutes i will send you the ebay link to buy some pants with skids after I have searched my laundry basket lol

#

And before you make excuses, i know you were not referring to the Brussel sprout auction you durty man!

😅

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hspexy

apparently people have been able to successfully sell Greggs' vegan sausage rolls on eBay this week...

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Lydskyd

hspexy really?

someone at my work sold a rock to an american for £50 on ebay

it was a special rock though!

He did it to prove you can sell anything on ebay and there will always be some poor sod who will buy it!

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hspexy

Lydskyd lol I know, right? I don't understand it myself, but some people must have money to waste. There was the time that there was the fried chicken shortage at KFC - someone bought a bargain bucket for £100!

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Lydskyd

hspexy Really wow!

Not because i am surprised but because KFC is vile!

Last time we had one was years ago and it was dry and nasty!

Why would you want to pay for old dry chicken!

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hspexy

Lydskyd lol not sure if it’s even chicken! 😜

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JandE86

oh yes i do! 🙂 i don't mind 🙂 there are some good quality items in there anyway 🙂

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Freefunstuff

The ones near me Are so expensive, basically almost at new cost. Used to go loads but not now

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hspexy

sometimes they charge prices that exceed the original costs - it's like they think they're on eBay or something

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ThomasSmit37577

Get a free box of Quality Street! Download the Shopmium app and use my referral code KYEMAMCU 😊

https://www.shopmium.com/uk/referral/KYEMAMCU

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Opportunist17

Yes I do , I always look for deals everywhere. Especially valuable stuff I know about.

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