Shoppers express fury over $60 basket discovered at charity store
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If you’ve ever wandered into your local Vinnies or Salvos, hoping to snag a bargain or find a hidden gem, you’re not alone.
For generations, op-shops have been a lifeline for Aussies looking to stretch their dollars, support a good cause, and do their bit for the environment.
But lately, it seems the humble charity shop is facing a crisis of confidence—and it’s got shoppers up in arms.
The latest outrage? A shopper was left gobsmacked after spotting a simple basket on sale for a whopping $60 at a Vinnies store.
She took to TikTok to share her disbelief, exclaiming, ‘$60 for what? Oh my God, man, are you actually serious? I just am blown away.’
Her video quickly struck a nerve, with thousands of Aussies chiming in to share their own frustrations about the rising prices at op-shops.
Once upon a time, op-shops were the go-to for anyone doing it tough. However, many now feel priced out of the very places meant to help them.
Comments poured in: ‘All the Australian charity shops are rip-offs now,’ one person wrote.
Another lamented, ‘I’m officially too poor for the op-shop.’
Some even accused the stores of losing sight of their mission, with one shopper saying, ‘Op shops have forgotten that their actual role in giving back to the community is making clothing and second-hand goods accessible and affordable to the community, not raising money for their other 'community initiatives'.’
One woman recalled, ‘I’ll never forget donating my clothes and finding one of my dresses there selling for double what I originally paid for it new.’
Some shoppers pointed the finger at ‘scalpers’—people who trawl op-shops for trendy or branded items to resell online at a profit.
‘Blame the people who started upselling everything they could get their grubby, little mitts on,’ one commenter said.
‘Why wouldn’t the original shop just follow suit, especially if it’s meant to be for charity? This way, they get the same money as scalpers.’
But it’s not just resellers driving up prices. Vinnies Queensland General Manager Drew Eide responded to the controversy, explaining, ‘The average cost of an item sold by Vinnies Queensland is just $5.07 and 90 per cent of the items we sell are under $10.
With our volunteers sorting through thousands of donated items daily across a wide variety of brands and categories, we also understand that we don’t always get it right.
Like any retailer, we also face rising costs across the board, including rent and electricity.’
He added, ‘We understand there are many Queenslanders doing it tough with rising costs of living and housing, and we work directly with those in need to provide direct donations or vouchers to support them with items like clothing, furniture and bedding. Every item sold at Vinnies is used to support people experiencing homelessness, poverty and other financial hardships in your local community.’
This isn’t the first time op-shops have come under fire for their pricing.
As the cost of living continues to rise, more Aussies are turning to second-hand stores for essentials.
But when prices start to rival—or even exceed—those of discount retailers, it’s no wonder people are feeling let down.
It’s a tricky balance for charity shops. On the one hand, they need to cover their own rising costs and fund vital community programs.
On the other, they risk alienating the very people they’re meant to help.
And with the popularity of ‘thrifting’ and vintage fashion at an all-time high, demand for second-hand goods has never been greater.
Some op-shops have introduced special discount days or voucher programs for those in need, but many shoppers say more needs to be done to keep prices fair and accessible.
Others suggest better training for volunteers on pricing or clearer guidelines to prevent donated goods from being marked up excessively.
If you’re struggling to find affordable items at your local op-shop, don’t be afraid to ask about discounts or support programs.
And if you spot something that seems outrageously priced, let the staff know—sometimes mistakes do happen, and feedback from the community can help keep things in check.
Credit: TikTok
Have you been shocked by the prices at your local charity shop? Do you think op-shops are still a good option for those on a budget, or have they lost their way? Share your stories, tips, and thoughts in the comments below.
Read more: Shopper slams $2,000 op shop find: ‘It’s cheaper to go to Kmart’
For generations, op-shops have been a lifeline for Aussies looking to stretch their dollars, support a good cause, and do their bit for the environment.
But lately, it seems the humble charity shop is facing a crisis of confidence—and it’s got shoppers up in arms.
She took to TikTok to share her disbelief, exclaiming, ‘$60 for what? Oh my God, man, are you actually serious? I just am blown away.’
Her video quickly struck a nerve, with thousands of Aussies chiming in to share their own frustrations about the rising prices at op-shops.
Outrage was sparked after a $60 basket was spotted at a Vinnies op-shop, with charity shop prices seen as unaffordable by many. Credit: @jenniferzervas / TikTok
Once upon a time, op-shops were the go-to for anyone doing it tough. However, many now feel priced out of the very places meant to help them.
Comments poured in: ‘All the Australian charity shops are rip-offs now,’ one person wrote.
Another lamented, ‘I’m officially too poor for the op-shop.’
Some even accused the stores of losing sight of their mission, with one shopper saying, ‘Op shops have forgotten that their actual role in giving back to the community is making clothing and second-hand goods accessible and affordable to the community, not raising money for their other 'community initiatives'.’
Others shared stories of seeing Kmart and Target home-brand clothes marked up for more than double their original price. One woman recalled, ‘I’ll never forget donating my clothes and finding one of my dresses there selling for double what I originally paid for it new.’
Some shoppers pointed the finger at ‘scalpers’—people who trawl op-shops for trendy or branded items to resell online at a profit.
‘Blame the people who started upselling everything they could get their grubby, little mitts on,’ one commenter said.
‘Why wouldn’t the original shop just follow suit, especially if it’s meant to be for charity? This way, they get the same money as scalpers.’
But it’s not just resellers driving up prices. Vinnies Queensland General Manager Drew Eide responded to the controversy, explaining, ‘The average cost of an item sold by Vinnies Queensland is just $5.07 and 90 per cent of the items we sell are under $10.
With our volunteers sorting through thousands of donated items daily across a wide variety of brands and categories, we also understand that we don’t always get it right.
Like any retailer, we also face rising costs across the board, including rent and electricity.’
He added, ‘We understand there are many Queenslanders doing it tough with rising costs of living and housing, and we work directly with those in need to provide direct donations or vouchers to support them with items like clothing, furniture and bedding. Every item sold at Vinnies is used to support people experiencing homelessness, poverty and other financial hardships in your local community.’
This isn’t the first time op-shops have come under fire for their pricing.
As the cost of living continues to rise, more Aussies are turning to second-hand stores for essentials.
It’s a tricky balance for charity shops. On the one hand, they need to cover their own rising costs and fund vital community programs.
On the other, they risk alienating the very people they’re meant to help.
And with the popularity of ‘thrifting’ and vintage fashion at an all-time high, demand for second-hand goods has never been greater.
Some op-shops have introduced special discount days or voucher programs for those in need, but many shoppers say more needs to be done to keep prices fair and accessible.
Others suggest better training for volunteers on pricing or clearer guidelines to prevent donated goods from being marked up excessively.
And if you spot something that seems outrageously priced, let the staff know—sometimes mistakes do happen, and feedback from the community can help keep things in check.
Credit: TikTok
Read more: Shopper slams $2,000 op shop find: ‘It’s cheaper to go to Kmart’
