Charity shops have long been a popular source of affordable and accessible clothing and household items, with these stores often providing quality items for Australians on a tight budget.

But a recent discovery at a Vinnies store has shoppers up in arms – and has prompted a conversation about the ever-increasing costs of second-hand goods.

A shopper at a second-hand charity clothes shop has been left stunned after finding a T-shirt that cost $350.

The clothing item is from a luxury brand called Proenza Schouler and was spotted at a Vinnies Store in Summer Hill in Sydney’s inner-west. This is the latest store to come under fire for its higher-than-normal price tags.

The shopper who discovered the item posted a photo of the price tag on Facebook and captioned: ‘I don’t know much about high fashion…Tell me, is this reasonable?’

The shopper claimed the op shop was selling the T-shirt for $350. Credit: Facebook

It is believed that shirts from Proenza Schouler cost between AU $370 to AU $905 off the rack. However, it’s not uncommon to find some of their brand-new items priced anywhere between AU $1,000 to AU $3,000.

A worker at the store told reporters that the price was a ‘mistake made by a new employee’ and has been changed to its intended $100 price tag.

They also confirmed that the price had been amended after the store received some ‘comments’ from frustrated customers. ‘The price was supposed to be $100, but it's been fixed up now,’ they claimed.

‘It was accidentally mispriced by someone who is new. No one realised until it was pointed out [by customers],’ the worker added.

The St Vincent De Paul Society (colloquially known as Vinnies) states on their website that they’re ‘committed to actively and passionately speaking out against the causes of poverty and inequality’.

This charity shop has long been a place for impoverished members of the community to find second-hand clothes and goods at a bargain.

The photo of the item triggered a debate online about the increase in pricing found in charity shops across the country. According to some, what was once a source of affordable clothing has now become a stretch for ‘low-income people’.

‘It’s unfortunate,’ one responded before adding that it’s often cheaper to buy new items from stores including Kmart or Target, or fast-fashion brands online.

‘This Vinnies is ridiculous, the children's clothing is highly priced at times which is more expensive than say, Kmart. I shop there for children's clothing and the price of children's clothing is ridiculous. Even the toys can be ridiculously priced,’ added one.

The photo of the T-shirt sparked a debate online. Credit: Vinnies Australia/Twitter

Someone mentioned that seeing these prices was ‘concerning’. ‘I don’t shop there anymore, I used to love it. Their prices on even Target branded stuff is higher than at retail,’ they continued.

This comes after previous reports that Australia’s op shops are ‘caught up’ in the cost-of-living crisis. Clothing at church-run shops have items still being sold for as little as $2 or $3, but they find that some larger stores have put their prices up. Op shops such as the Salvation Army and Vinnies tend to have higher overhead costs, particularly rent, whereas others may not if they are based in locations owned by a church or other institutions.

The General Manager of Vinnies stores in Queensland said at the time that pricing is ‘typically decided by volunteers who follow guidelines that take into account the quality of donations, as well as the shop’s region’.

‘In higher-earning suburbs, the donations may be of higher quality and priced accordingly,’ he added before stating that ‘like all businesses, our costs have increased over the last few years’.

Omer Soker, CEO of Charitable Recycling Australia, told reporters that the second-hand economy is booming and that there are a few reasons for this.

He claimed that there’s a growing interest in sustainable shopping, especially since charity shops are also a source of discounted designer or vintage goods that people resell online for a profit. ‘Vintage is so cool right now so new shops that cater to that market are opening’ Mr Soker explained.

He also claimed that these ‘resellers’ are to blame for the price increases and said charities don’t increase the cost of goods.

‘These resellers buy from charity shops and then put on huge mark-ups to sell on commercial platforms like Depop, and other commercial markets. In these cases, charity shops are acting like wholesalers, so the charity shop prices are still great value,’ he said.

But he also pointed out that over 90 per cent of the 3,000 charity shops in Australia offer affordable, everyday items for millions of Australians – so, not all costs are going up everywhere.

Richard Wood, Head of Retail at Red Cross Australia, acknowledged that the sector is ‘changing’ as a result of increasing demand – particularly in metropolitan areas.

‘If you went back 10, 20 years ago, you would find that lots of people wouldn't want to admit they shopped in an op shop but would be happy to admit they donated,’ Mr Wood declared.

‘But now we are seeing a lot of people coming through that are really proud to say they are shopping at op shops,’ he added.

This shift in the demographics of consumers led the Red Cross to restructure its marketing model in some inner-city stores. However, he said that when it comes to pricing, there are three factors to consider:

First, the product needs to be of good value but it won’t always be ‘cheap’. ‘You might have a $50 Country Road item that is great quality and a lot of people wouldn't regard that as being cheap, but they could see that as really good value,’ he stated.

Second, he said he respects the intent of the person donating the item. He recalled an instance when he was in one of their stores and was next to a lady who picked something off the rack.

‘She sort of gasped at the product and thought the product was priced too low. She had donated that product and was disappointed that we weren't actually getting more for it,’ Mr Wood explained.

Finally, he considers the programs that the Red Cross supports through money raised in their shops.

‘The money that we raise through the shops goes to support those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable and they are often not in the areas where we have a shop.’

Key Takeaways

• Many op-shoppers are frustrated with increasingly higher prices and believe charity shops are no longer an affordable option.
• A Vinnies shop in Sydney’s inner-west came under fire after a customer spotted a designer t-shirt for $350.
• The price was later amended to $100 due to customer feedback.
• The second-hand economy is booming and charity shops are offering more designer and vintage items at higher prices. It is believed that higher prices in charity shops are due to resellers and an increase in the cost of goods.

Do you regularly shop at op shops or charity shops? Have you encountered higher-than-normal prices? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

 

[russ.bain]

Charity shops have long been a popular source of affordable and accessible clothing and household items, with these stores often providing quality items for Australians on a tight budget.

But a recent discovery at a Vinnies store has shoppers up in arms – and has prompted a conversation about the ever-increasing costs of second-hand goods.

A shopper at a second-hand charity clothes shop has been left stunned after finding a T-shirt that cost $350.

The clothing item is from a luxury brand called Proenza Schouler and was spotted at a Vinnies Store in Summer Hill in Sydney’s inner-west. This is the latest store to come under fire for its higher-than-normal price tags.

The shopper who discovered the item posted a photo of the price tag on Facebook and captioned: ‘I don’t know much about high fashion…Tell me, is this reasonable?’

View attachment 14917

The shopper claimed the op shop was selling the T-shirt for $350. Credit: Facebook

It is believed that shirts from Proenza Schouler cost between AU $370 to AU $905 off the rack. However, it’s not uncommon to find some of their brand-new items priced anywhere between AU $1,000 to AU $3,000.

A worker at the store told reporters that the price was a ‘mistake made by a new employee’ and has been changed to its intended $100 price tag.

They also confirmed that the price had been amended after the store received some ‘comments’ from frustrated customers. ‘The price was supposed to be $100, but it's been fixed up now,’ they claimed.

‘It was accidentally mispriced by someone who is new. No one realised until it was pointed out [by customers],’ the worker added.

The St Vincent De Paul Society (colloquially known as Vinnies) states on their website that they’re ‘committed to actively and passionately speaking out against the causes of poverty and inequality’.

This charity shop has long been a place for impoverished members of the community to find second-hand clothes and goods at a bargain.

The photo of the item triggered a debate online about the increase in pricing found in charity shops across the country. According to some, what was once a source of affordable clothing has now become a stretch for ‘low-income people’.

‘It’s unfortunate,’ one responded before adding that it’s often cheaper to buy new items from stores including Kmart or Target, or fast-fashion brands online.

‘This Vinnies is ridiculous, the children's clothing is highly priced at times which is more expensive than say, Kmart. I shop there for children's clothing and the price of children's clothing is ridiculous. Even the toys can be ridiculously priced,’ added one.

View attachment 14918

The photo of the T-shirt sparked a debate online. Credit: Vinnies Australia/Twitter

Someone mentioned that seeing these prices was ‘concerning’. ‘I don’t shop there anymore, I used to love it. Their prices on even Target branded stuff is higher than at retail,’ they continued.

This comes after previous reports that Australia’s op shops are ‘caught up’ in the cost-of-living crisis. Clothing at church-run shops have items still being sold for as little as $2 or $3, but they find that some larger stores have put their prices up. Op shops such as the Salvation Army and Vinnies tend to have higher overhead costs, particularly rent, whereas others may not if they are based in locations owned by a church or other institutions.

The General Manager of Vinnies stores in Queensland said at the time that pricing is ‘typically decided by volunteers who follow guidelines that take into account the quality of donations, as well as the shop’s region’.

‘In higher-earning suburbs, the donations may be of higher quality and priced accordingly,’ he added before stating that ‘like all businesses, our costs have increased over the last few years’.

Omer Soker, CEO of Charitable Recycling Australia, told reporters that the second-hand economy is booming and that there are a few reasons for this.

He claimed that there’s a growing interest in sustainable shopping, especially since charity shops are also a source of discounted designer or vintage goods that people resell online for a profit. ‘Vintage is so cool right now so new shops that cater to that market are opening’ Mr Soker explained.

He also claimed that these ‘resellers’ are to blame for the price increases and said charities don’t increase the cost of goods.

‘These resellers buy from charity shops and then put on huge mark-ups to sell on commercial platforms like Depop, and other commercial markets. In these cases, charity shops are acting like wholesalers, so the charity shop prices are still great value,’ he said.

But he also pointed out that over 90 per cent of the 3,000 charity shops in Australia offer affordable, everyday items for millions of Australians – so, not all costs are going up everywhere.

Richard Wood, Head of Retail at Red Cross Australia, acknowledged that the sector is ‘changing’ as a result of increasing demand – particularly in metropolitan areas.

‘If you went back 10, 20 years ago, you would find that lots of people wouldn't want to admit they shopped in an op shop but would be happy to admit they donated,’ Mr Wood declared.

‘But now we are seeing a lot of people coming through that are really proud to say they are shopping at op shops,’ he added.

This shift in the demographics of consumers led the Red Cross to restructure its marketing model in some inner-city stores. However, he said that when it comes to pricing, there are three factors to consider:

First, the product needs to be of good value but it won’t always be ‘cheap’. ‘You might have a $50 Country Road item that is great quality and a lot of people wouldn't regard that as being cheap, but they could see that as really good value,’ he stated.

Second, he said he respects the intent of the person donating the item. He recalled an instance when he was in one of their stores and was next to a lady who picked something off the rack.

‘She sort of gasped at the product and thought the product was priced too low. She had donated that product and was disappointed that we weren't actually getting more for it,’ Mr Wood explained.

Finally, he considers the programs that the Red Cross supports through money raised in their shops.

‘The money that we raise through the shops goes to support those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable and they are often not in the areas where we have a shop.’

Key Takeaways

• Many op-shoppers are frustrated with increasingly higher prices and believe charity shops are no longer an affordable option.
• A Vinnies shop in Sydney’s inner-west came under fire after a customer spotted a designer t-shirt for $350.
• The price was later amended to $100 due to customer feedback.
• The second-hand economy is booming and charity shops are offering more designer and vintage items at higher prices. It is believed that higher prices in charity shops are due to resellers and an increase in the cost of goods.

Do you regularly shop at op shops or charity shops? Have you encountered higher-than-normal prices? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

a lot of cloths from thee 2nd hand stores not just vinnies are way to high when you can go to Kmart and buy clothes for as little as $2 for a tshirt or a pair of shorts

 

[Thecheesequeen]

Op shops seem to forget that most of the things they sell have been donated. I went to a Red Cross op shop looking for a waterproof jacket, and they wanted $45 for it. Went to K-mart and got one for $30.

 

[Toyo]

I used to shop at thrift shops regularly and never minded if I got an item for $3 to $5 than had to be modified as it was still a bargain, however the prices have increased dramatically for clothes that are well past their use by date for instance shopping with granddaughter she found a skirt she liked it was $25 she didn't buy it she bought something similar at Kmart for $20 so I'm thinking the thrift shops have priced themselves out of my business its not worth the time to dig through smelly clothes and pay premium prices also worn out and scratched bowls and fry pans selling if you're down on your luck and looking for a bargain better off buying from the cheap shops like Solly's etc.

 

[Penny4]

It's all about $ for the CEO of charity shops. Even at $100, it's overpriced for a 2nd hand t-shirt that was donated free.
"Charity shops are acting like wholesalers, so the charity shop prices are still great value." How does that comparison work? Everything in Op shops are donated free.

 

[Catherines]

Charity shops have long been a popular source of affordable and accessible clothing and household items, with these stores often providing quality items for Australians on a tight budget.

But a recent discovery at a Vinnies store has shoppers up in arms – and has prompted a conversation about the ever-increasing costs of second-hand goods.

A shopper at a second-hand charity clothes shop has been left stunned after finding a T-shirt that cost $350.

The clothing item is from a luxury brand called Proenza Schouler and was spotted at a Vinnies Store in Summer Hill in Sydney’s inner-west. This is the latest store to come under fire for its higher-than-normal price tags.

The shopper who discovered the item posted a photo of the price tag on Facebook and captioned: ‘I don’t know much about high fashion…Tell me, is this reasonable?’

View attachment 14917

The shopper claimed the op shop was selling the T-shirt for $350. Credit: Facebook

It is believed that shirts from Proenza Schouler cost between AU $370 to AU $905 off the rack. However, it’s not uncommon to find some of their brand-new items priced anywhere between AU $1,000 to AU $3,000.

A worker at the store told reporters that the price was a ‘mistake made by a new employee’ and has been changed to its intended $100 price tag.

They also confirmed that the price had been amended after the store received some ‘comments’ from frustrated customers. ‘The price was supposed to be $100, but it's been fixed up now,’ they claimed.

‘It was accidentally mispriced by someone who is new. No one realised until it was pointed out [by customers],’ the worker added.

The St Vincent De Paul Society (colloquially known as Vinnies) states on their website that they’re ‘committed to actively and passionately speaking out against the causes of poverty and inequality’.

This charity shop has long been a place for impoverished members of the community to find second-hand clothes and goods at a bargain.

The photo of the item triggered a debate online about the increase in pricing found in charity shops across the country. According to some, what was once a source of affordable clothing has now become a stretch for ‘low-income people’.

‘It’s unfortunate,’ one responded before adding that it’s often cheaper to buy new items from stores including Kmart or Target, or fast-fashion brands online.

‘This Vinnies is ridiculous, the children's clothing is highly priced at times which is more expensive than say, Kmart. I shop there for children's clothing and the price of children's clothing is ridiculous. Even the toys can be ridiculously priced,’ added one.

View attachment 14918

The photo of the T-shirt sparked a debate online. Credit: Vinnies Australia/Twitter

Someone mentioned that seeing these prices was ‘concerning’. ‘I don’t shop there anymore, I used to love it. Their prices on even Target branded stuff is higher than at retail,’ they continued.

This comes after previous reports that Australia’s op shops are ‘caught up’ in the cost-of-living crisis. Clothing at church-run shops have items still being sold for as little as $2 or $3, but they find that some larger stores have put their prices up. Op shops such as the Salvation Army and Vinnies tend to have higher overhead costs, particularly rent, whereas others may not if they are based in locations owned by a church or other institutions.

The General Manager of Vinnies stores in Queensland said at the time that pricing is ‘typically decided by volunteers who follow guidelines that take into account the quality of donations, as well as the shop’s region’.

‘In higher-earning suburbs, the donations may be of higher quality and priced accordingly,’ he added before stating that ‘like all businesses, our costs have increased over the last few years’.

Omer Soker, CEO of Charitable Recycling Australia, told reporters that the second-hand economy is booming and that there are a few reasons for this.

He claimed that there’s a growing interest in sustainable shopping, especially since charity shops are also a source of discounted designer or vintage goods that people resell online for a profit. ‘Vintage is so cool right now so new shops that cater to that market are opening’ Mr Soker explained.

He also claimed that these ‘resellers’ are to blame for the price increases and said charities don’t increase the cost of goods.

‘These resellers buy from charity shops and then put on huge mark-ups to sell on commercial platforms like Depop, and other commercial markets. In these cases, charity shops are acting like wholesalers, so the charity shop prices are still great value,’ he said.

But he also pointed out that over 90 per cent of the 3,000 charity shops in Australia offer affordable, everyday items for millions of Australians – so, not all costs are going up everywhere.

Richard Wood, Head of Retail at Red Cross Australia, acknowledged that the sector is ‘changing’ as a result of increasing demand – particularly in metropolitan areas.

‘If you went back 10, 20 years ago, you would find that lots of people wouldn't want to admit they shopped in an op shop but would be happy to admit they donated,’ Mr Wood declared.

‘But now we are seeing a lot of people coming through that are really proud to say they are shopping at op shops,’ he added.

This shift in the demographics of consumers led the Red Cross to restructure its marketing model in some inner-city stores. However, he said that when it comes to pricing, there are three factors to consider:

First, the product needs to be of good value but it won’t always be ‘cheap’. ‘You might have a $50 Country Road item that is great quality and a lot of people wouldn't regard that as being cheap, but they could see that as really good value,’ he stated.

Second, he said he respects the intent of the person donating the item. He recalled an instance when he was in one of their stores and was next to a lady who picked something off the rack.

‘She sort of gasped at the product and thought the product was priced too low. She had donated that product and was disappointed that we weren't actually getting more for it,’ Mr Wood explained.

Finally, he considers the programs that the Red Cross supports through money raised in their shops.

‘The money that we raise through the shops goes to support those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable and they are often not in the areas where we have a shop.’

Key Takeaways

• Many op-shoppers are frustrated with increasingly higher prices and believe charity shops are no longer an affordable option.
• A Vinnies shop in Sydney’s inner-west came under fire after a customer spotted a designer t-shirt for $350.
• The price was later amended to $100 due to customer feedback.
• The second-hand economy is booming and charity shops are offering more designer and vintage items at higher prices. It is believed that higher prices in charity shops are due to resellers and an increase in the cost of goods.

Do you regularly shop at op shops or charity shops? Have you encountered higher-than-normal prices? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

Considering all the items sold at these charity organisations have been donated, no matter their brand, it is ridiculous to pay so much. Yes, some organisations have rental costs, but if they put these items so high they will not sell them in the end - so back to square one with that item as it won’t be sold. Also bear in mind the people they are targeting as buyers are the poorer ones in our community who are really, really struggling. Their volunteers need to have more education on pricIng and understanding of customer’s ability to pay especially since the reason these shops are there is to help the poor and make some money for the charity at the same time.

 

[goodmorning]

I look in charity shops where I live but I have found Vinnies and the red cross are the worst for prices there was a pair of jeans for $20.00 and you can go to Kmart and get the same jeans for $6.50 unless they have gone up the band was the same to 0the people that work there are volunteer so in most cases all they have to pay is rent and power so they are recking the $ in

 

[Catherines]

I used to shop at thrift shops regularly and never minded if I got an item for $3 to $5 than had to be modified as it was still a bargain, however the prices have increased dramatically for clothes that are well past their use by date for instance shopping with granddaughter she found a skirt she liked it was $25 she didn't buy it she bought something similar at Kmart for $20 so I'm thinking the thrift shops have priced themselves out of my business its not worth the time to dig through smelly clothes and pay premium prices also worn out and scratched bowls and fry pans selling if you're down on your luck and looking for a bargain better off buying from the cheap shops like Solly's etc.

I agree with all your comments but I want to add that I recently donated quite a number of my husband’s trousers to my local Vinnies store. I never give to charity any clothing that has not been freshly laundered and with a comfort rinse included for freshness.

 

[Keswickian]

Occasionally, charity shops acquire 'highly valued' items which some astute customers buy very cheaply then sell on social media for a handsome profit. Why shouldn't the charity shop cash in on that value?
Perhaps there is a case for the charity shop to devote a special part of the shop for such high value items then keep more reasonable prices for everything else.

 

[Caron]

When I used to donate to the op shop if I had a good quality brand name item to donate, I was expecting it to be sold at a very reasonable, cheap price, so hopefully someone down on their luck, can find something absolutely amazing to wear and feel great that they look good and in fashion. The charity needs to make money, buy not at the expense for the people they are supposed to help.
I no longer donate , after seeing the high prices my donated goods were selling for in the licalS aver, Salves and Vinnies, i now sell at my own garage sale and only donate what is leftover, still good stuff, but old, not the latest fashion. Now with the increased cost of living and being on a carers pension, I'm looking to myself and family and the expensive, unaffordable charities now miss out.

 

[Catherines]

Occasionally, charity shops acquire 'highly valued' items which some astute customers buy very cheaply then sell on social media for a handsome profit. Why shouldn't the charity shop cash in on that value?
Perhaps there is a case for the charity shop to devote a special part of the shop for such high value items then keep more reasonable prices for everything else.

Agreed.

 

[Annna]

Yes, Charity ships have overheads.

But they:

1. Usually score decent rent deals;

2. Rely on volunteer staff to run the shops; and

3. Get stock FREE.

KMART and other clothing retailers may also score advantageous tents/leases as Anchor tenants BUT they;

1. Have to pay staff wages; and

2. Have to buy stock.

 

[Annna]

Yes, Charity shops have overheads.

But they:

1. Usually score decent rent deals; and

2. Rely on volunteer staff to run the shops; and

3. Get stock FREE.

KMART and other clothing retailers may also score advantageous rents/leases as Anchor tenants BUT they;

1. Have to pay staff wages; and

2. Have to buy stock.

 

[Staffordshire Whippet]

"Up in arms"? Seriously? Nobody forces anybody to buy there.
Reminds me of that story from Gasp! in Chapel Street Prahran twelve years ago: "Have fun shopping at Supre!"... https://www.smh.com.au/business/small-business/gasp-retailer-apologises-on-tv-20111221-1p599.html

Having previously lived in Summer Hill, even 25 years ago, the suburb was fairly evenly-split between Yuppies, Aspirationals and warby inhabitants of halfway houses following the NSW Government declaring Mental Hospitals unfashionable. Yuppies have mainly bred and fled while Aspirationals have mutated into Hipsters, who think nothing of paying $20 for half an avocado on artisanal toast. Warbs are still Warbs; they just can't afford to live there anymore so the $100+ Tshirt really isn't an issue for them.

 

[mansersmith]

I donate to and buy at a little op shop that doesn’t have prices, you pay what you can afford.. This shop also has a food pantry and a basket with gloves, beanies and scarves, knitted by volunteers with donated wool and free for anyone who needs them. They also raise money for community projects. Currently project is a flagpole and flag for another charitable organisation This shop has overheads just like Vinnies and Salvos with rent, power and water bills but is doing what Vinnies and Salvos should be doing by genuinely helping those in need. None of their volunteers or workers have company cars or other perks. This is a true charity shop. Vinnies and Salvos are money making businesses and not much of the money raised goes to help the disadvantaged.

 

[marmie2]

We do a lot of shopping at Connected Inc Op-Shop at Virginia. They have a large warehouse and the clothes, both women's and men's, are always good quality and reasonably priced. They even have half price sales occasionally as well.

 

[Rellybee]

Charity shops have long been a popular source of affordable and accessible clothing and household items, with these stores often providing quality items for Australians on a tight budget.

But a recent discovery at a Vinnies store has shoppers up in arms – and has prompted a conversation about the ever-increasing costs of second-hand goods.

A shopper at a second-hand charity clothes shop has been left stunned after finding a T-shirt that cost $350.

The clothing item is from a luxury brand called Proenza Schouler and was spotted at a Vinnies Store in Summer Hill in Sydney’s inner-west. This is the latest store to come under fire for its higher-than-normal price tags.

The shopper who discovered the item posted a photo of the price tag on Facebook and captioned: ‘I don’t know much about high fashion…Tell me, is this reasonable?’

View attachment 14917

The shopper claimed the op shop was selling the T-shirt for $350. Credit: Facebook

It is believed that shirts from Proenza Schouler cost between AU $370 to AU $905 off the rack. However, it’s not uncommon to find some of their brand-new items priced anywhere between AU $1,000 to AU $3,000.

A worker at the store told reporters that the price was a ‘mistake made by a new employee’ and has been changed to its intended $100 price tag.

They also confirmed that the price had been amended after the store received some ‘comments’ from frustrated customers. ‘The price was supposed to be $100, but it's been fixed up now,’ they claimed.

‘It was accidentally mispriced by someone who is new. No one realised until it was pointed out [by customers],’ the worker added.

The St Vincent De Paul Society (colloquially known as Vinnies) states on their website that they’re ‘committed to actively and passionately speaking out against the causes of poverty and inequality’.

This charity shop has long been a place for impoverished members of the community to find second-hand clothes and goods at a bargain.

The photo of the item triggered a debate online about the increase in pricing found in charity shops across the country. According to some, what was once a source of affordable clothing has now become a stretch for ‘low-income people’.

‘It’s unfortunate,’ one responded before adding that it’s often cheaper to buy new items from stores including Kmart or Target, or fast-fashion brands online.

‘This Vinnies is ridiculous, the children's clothing is highly priced at times which is more expensive than say, Kmart. I shop there for children's clothing and the price of children's clothing is ridiculous. Even the toys can be ridiculously priced,’ added one.

View attachment 14918

The photo of the T-shirt sparked a debate online. Credit: Vinnies Australia/Twitter

Someone mentioned that seeing these prices was ‘concerning’. ‘I don’t shop there anymore, I used to love it. Their prices on even Target branded stuff is higher than at retail,’ they continued.

This comes after previous reports that Australia’s op shops are ‘caught up’ in the cost-of-living crisis. Clothing at church-run shops have items still being sold for as little as $2 or $3, but they find that some larger stores have put their prices up. Op shops such as the Salvation Army and Vinnies tend to have higher overhead costs, particularly rent, whereas others may not if they are based in locations owned by a church or other institutions.

The General Manager of Vinnies stores in Queensland said at the time that pricing is ‘typically decided by volunteers who follow guidelines that take into account the quality of donations, as well as the shop’s region’.

‘In higher-earning suburbs, the donations may be of higher quality and priced accordingly,’ he added before stating that ‘like all businesses, our costs have increased over the last few years’.

Omer Soker, CEO of Charitable Recycling Australia, told reporters that the second-hand economy is booming and that there are a few reasons for this.

He claimed that there’s a growing interest in sustainable shopping, especially since charity shops are also a source of discounted designer or vintage goods that people resell online for a profit. ‘Vintage is so cool right now so new shops that cater to that market are opening’ Mr Soker explained.

He also claimed that these ‘resellers’ are to blame for the price increases and said charities don’t increase the cost of goods.

‘These resellers buy from charity shops and then put on huge mark-ups to sell on commercial platforms like Depop, and other commercial markets. In these cases, charity shops are acting like wholesalers, so the charity shop prices are still great value,’ he said.

But he also pointed out that over 90 per cent of the 3,000 charity shops in Australia offer affordable, everyday items for millions of Australians – so, not all costs are going up everywhere.

Richard Wood, Head of Retail at Red Cross Australia, acknowledged that the sector is ‘changing’ as a result of increasing demand – particularly in metropolitan areas.

‘If you went back 10, 20 years ago, you would find that lots of people wouldn't want to admit they shopped in an op shop but would be happy to admit they donated,’ Mr Wood declared.

‘But now we are seeing a lot of people coming through that are really proud to say they are shopping at op shops,’ he added.

This shift in the demographics of consumers led the Red Cross to restructure its marketing model in some inner-city stores. However, he said that when it comes to pricing, there are three factors to consider:

First, the product needs to be of good value but it won’t always be ‘cheap’. ‘You might have a $50 Country Road item that is great quality and a lot of people wouldn't regard that as being cheap, but they could see that as really good value,’ he stated.

Second, he said he respects the intent of the person donating the item. He recalled an instance when he was in one of their stores and was next to a lady who picked something off the rack.

‘She sort of gasped at the product and thought the product was priced too low. She had donated that product and was disappointed that we weren't actually getting more for it,’ Mr Wood explained.

Finally, he considers the programs that the Red Cross supports through money raised in their shops.

‘The money that we raise through the shops goes to support those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable and they are often not in the areas where we have a shop.’

Key Takeaways

• Many op-shoppers are frustrated with increasingly higher prices and believe charity shops are no longer an affordable option.
• A Vinnies shop in Sydney’s inner-west came under fire after a customer spotted a designer t-shirt for $350.
• The price was later amended to $100 due to customer feedback.
• The second-hand economy is booming and charity shops are offering more designer and vintage items at higher prices. It is believed that higher prices in charity shops are due to resellers and an increase in the cost of goods.

Do you regularly shop at op shops or charity shops? Have you encountered higher-than-normal prices? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

The decimal point is missing....Op shops are still a great way for to find some bargains

 

[Freeman27]

Charity shops have long been a popular source of affordable and accessible clothing and household items, with these stores often providing quality items for Australians on a tight budget.

But a recent discovery at a Vinnies store has shoppers up in arms – and has prompted a conversation about the ever-increasing costs of second-hand goods.

A shopper at a second-hand charity clothes shop has been left stunned after finding a T-shirt that cost $350.

The clothing item is from a luxury brand called Proenza Schouler and was spotted at a Vinnies Store in Summer Hill in Sydney’s inner-west. This is the latest store to come under fire for its higher-than-normal price tags.

The shopper who discovered the item posted a photo of the price tag on Facebook and captioned: ‘I don’t know much about high fashion…Tell me, is this reasonable?’

View attachment 14917

The shopper claimed the op shop was selling the T-shirt for $350. Credit: Facebook

It is believed that shirts from Proenza Schouler cost between AU $370 to AU $905 off the rack. However, it’s not uncommon to find some of their brand-new items priced anywhere between AU $1,000 to AU $3,000.

A worker at the store told reporters that the price was a ‘mistake made by a new employee’ and has been changed to its intended $100 price tag.

They also confirmed that the price had been amended after the store received some ‘comments’ from frustrated customers. ‘The price was supposed to be $100, but it's been fixed up now,’ they claimed.

‘It was accidentally mispriced by someone who is new. No one realised until it was pointed out [by customers],’ the worker added.

The St Vincent De Paul Society (colloquially known as Vinnies) states on their website that they’re ‘committed to actively and passionately speaking out against the causes of poverty and inequality’.

This charity shop has long been a place for impoverished members of the community to find second-hand clothes and goods at a bargain.

The photo of the item triggered a debate online about the increase in pricing found in charity shops across the country. According to some, what was once a source of affordable clothing has now become a stretch for ‘low-income people’.

‘It’s unfortunate,’ one responded before adding that it’s often cheaper to buy new items from stores including Kmart or Target, or fast-fashion brands online.

‘This Vinnies is ridiculous, the children's clothing is highly priced at times which is more expensive than say, Kmart. I shop there for children's clothing and the price of children's clothing is ridiculous. Even the toys can be ridiculously priced,’ added one.

View attachment 14918

The photo of the T-shirt sparked a debate online. Credit: Vinnies Australia/Twitter

Someone mentioned that seeing these prices was ‘concerning’. ‘I don’t shop there anymore, I used to love it. Their prices on even Target branded stuff is higher than at retail,’ they continued.

This comes after previous reports that Australia’s op shops are ‘caught up’ in the cost-of-living crisis. Clothing at church-run shops have items still being sold for as little as $2 or $3, but they find that some larger stores have put their prices up. Op shops such as the Salvation Army and Vinnies tend to have higher overhead costs, particularly rent, whereas others may not if they are based in locations owned by a church or other institutions.

The General Manager of Vinnies stores in Queensland said at the time that pricing is ‘typically decided by volunteers who follow guidelines that take into account the quality of donations, as well as the shop’s region’.

‘In higher-earning suburbs, the donations may be of higher quality and priced accordingly,’ he added before stating that ‘like all businesses, our costs have increased over the last few years’.

Omer Soker, CEO of Charitable Recycling Australia, told reporters that the second-hand economy is booming and that there are a few reasons for this.

He claimed that there’s a growing interest in sustainable shopping, especially since charity shops are also a source of discounted designer or vintage goods that people resell online for a profit. ‘Vintage is so cool right now so new shops that cater to that market are opening’ Mr Soker explained.

He also claimed that these ‘resellers’ are to blame for the price increases and said charities don’t increase the cost of goods.

‘These resellers buy from charity shops and then put on huge mark-ups to sell on commercial platforms like Depop, and other commercial markets. In these cases, charity shops are acting like wholesalers, so the charity shop prices are still great value,’ he said.

But he also pointed out that over 90 per cent of the 3,000 charity shops in Australia offer affordable, everyday items for millions of Australians – so, not all costs are going up everywhere.

Richard Wood, Head of Retail at Red Cross Australia, acknowledged that the sector is ‘changing’ as a result of increasing demand – particularly in metropolitan areas.

‘If you went back 10, 20 years ago, you would find that lots of people wouldn't want to admit they shopped in an op shop but would be happy to admit they donated,’ Mr Wood declared.

‘But now we are seeing a lot of people coming through that are really proud to say they are shopping at op shops,’ he added.

This shift in the demographics of consumers led the Red Cross to restructure its marketing model in some inner-city stores. However, he said that when it comes to pricing, there are three factors to consider:

First, the product needs to be of good value but it won’t always be ‘cheap’. ‘You might have a $50 Country Road item that is great quality and a lot of people wouldn't regard that as being cheap, but they could see that as really good value,’ he stated.

Second, he said he respects the intent of the person donating the item. He recalled an instance when he was in one of their stores and was next to a lady who picked something off the rack.

‘She sort of gasped at the product and thought the product was priced too low. She had donated that product and was disappointed that we weren't actually getting more for it,’ Mr Wood explained.

Finally, he considers the programs that the Red Cross supports through money raised in their shops.

‘The money that we raise through the shops goes to support those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable and they are often not in the areas where we have a shop.’

Key Takeaways

• Many op-shoppers are frustrated with increasingly higher prices and believe charity shops are no longer an affordable option.
• A Vinnies shop in Sydney’s inner-west came under fire after a customer spotted a designer t-shirt for $350.
• The price was later amended to $100 due to customer feedback.
• The second-hand economy is booming and charity shops are offering more designer and vintage items at higher prices. It is believed that higher prices in charity shops are due to resellers and an increase in the cost of goods.

Do you regularly shop at op shops or charity shops? Have you encountered higher-than-normal prices? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

It is very sad that opportunity shops not longer are representitive of the reputable charities that they are supposed to support. Let us examine the normal retailers cost and compare that to the Op shop, the retailer first must purchase the product that they sell then they have commercial rent plus management costs and wages and ancillary cost like store fitouts and power etc. The Op shop has what they sell donated, they do have management cost, they normally pay a lower rental and most of the workers are volunteers so their costs are much less. So even $100 for a donated Tee Shirt is a tad over blown to my way of thinking.

 

[powerchick]

Charity shops have long been a popular source of affordable and accessible clothing and household items, with these stores often providing quality items for Australians on a tight budget.

But a recent discovery at a Vinnies store has shoppers up in arms – and has prompted a conversation about the ever-increasing costs of second-hand goods.

A shopper at a second-hand charity clothes shop has been left stunned after finding a T-shirt that cost $350.

The clothing item is from a luxury brand called Proenza Schouler and was spotted at a Vinnies Store in Summer Hill in Sydney’s inner-west. This is the latest store to come under fire for its higher-than-normal price tags.

The shopper who discovered the item posted a photo of the price tag on Facebook and captioned: ‘I don’t know much about high fashion…Tell me, is this reasonable?’

View attachment 14917

The shopper claimed the op shop was selling the T-shirt for $350. Credit: Facebook

It is believed that shirts from Proenza Schouler cost between AU $370 to AU $905 off the rack. However, it’s not uncommon to find some of their brand-new items priced anywhere between AU $1,000 to AU $3,000.

A worker at the store told reporters that the price was a ‘mistake made by a new employee’ and has been changed to its intended $100 price tag.

They also confirmed that the price had been amended after the store received some ‘comments’ from frustrated customers. ‘The price was supposed to be $100, but it's been fixed up now,’ they claimed.

‘It was accidentally mispriced by someone who is new. No one realised until it was pointed out [by customers],’ the worker added.

The St Vincent De Paul Society (colloquially known as Vinnies) states on their website that they’re ‘committed to actively and passionately speaking out against the causes of poverty and inequality’.

This charity shop has long been a place for impoverished members of the community to find second-hand clothes and goods at a bargain.

The photo of the item triggered a debate online about the increase in pricing found in charity shops across the country. According to some, what was once a source of affordable clothing has now become a stretch for ‘low-income people’.

‘It’s unfortunate,’ one responded before adding that it’s often cheaper to buy new items from stores including Kmart or Target, or fast-fashion brands online.

‘This Vinnies is ridiculous, the children's clothing is highly priced at times which is more expensive than say, Kmart. I shop there for children's clothing and the price of children's clothing is ridiculous. Even the toys can be ridiculously priced,’ added one.

View attachment 14918

The photo of the T-shirt sparked a debate online. Credit: Vinnies Australia/Twitter

Someone mentioned that seeing these prices was ‘concerning’. ‘I don’t shop there anymore, I used to love it. Their prices on even Target branded stuff is higher than at retail,’ they continued.

This comes after previous reports that Australia’s op shops are ‘caught up’ in the cost-of-living crisis. Clothing at church-run shops have items still being sold for as little as $2 or $3, but they find that some larger stores have put their prices up. Op shops such as the Salvation Army and Vinnies tend to have higher overhead costs, particularly rent, whereas others may not if they are based in locations owned by a church or other institutions.

The General Manager of Vinnies stores in Queensland said at the time that pricing is ‘typically decided by volunteers who follow guidelines that take into account the quality of donations, as well as the shop’s region’.

‘In higher-earning suburbs, the donations may be of higher quality and priced accordingly,’ he added before stating that ‘like all businesses, our costs have increased over the last few years’.

Omer Soker, CEO of Charitable Recycling Australia, told reporters that the second-hand economy is booming and that there are a few reasons for this.

He claimed that there’s a growing interest in sustainable shopping, especially since charity shops are also a source of discounted designer or vintage goods that people resell online for a profit. ‘Vintage is so cool right now so new shops that cater to that market are opening’ Mr Soker explained.

He also claimed that these ‘resellers’ are to blame for the price increases and said charities don’t increase the cost of goods.

‘These resellers buy from charity shops and then put on huge mark-ups to sell on commercial platforms like Depop, and other commercial markets. In these cases, charity shops are acting like wholesalers, so the charity shop prices are still great value,’ he said.

But he also pointed out that over 90 per cent of the 3,000 charity shops in Australia offer affordable, everyday items for millions of Australians – so, not all costs are going up everywhere.

Richard Wood, Head of Retail at Red Cross Australia, acknowledged that the sector is ‘changing’ as a result of increasing demand – particularly in metropolitan areas.

‘If you went back 10, 20 years ago, you would find that lots of people wouldn't want to admit they shopped in an op shop but would be happy to admit they donated,’ Mr Wood declared.

‘But now we are seeing a lot of people coming through that are really proud to say they are shopping at op shops,’ he added.

This shift in the demographics of consumers led the Red Cross to restructure its marketing model in some inner-city stores. However, he said that when it comes to pricing, there are three factors to consider:

First, the product needs to be of good value but it won’t always be ‘cheap’. ‘You might have a $50 Country Road item that is great quality and a lot of people wouldn't regard that as being cheap, but they could see that as really good value,’ he stated.

Second, he said he respects the intent of the person donating the item. He recalled an instance when he was in one of their stores and was next to a lady who picked something off the rack.

‘She sort of gasped at the product and thought the product was priced too low. She had donated that product and was disappointed that we weren't actually getting more for it,’ Mr Wood explained.

Finally, he considers the programs that the Red Cross supports through money raised in their shops.

‘The money that we raise through the shops goes to support those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable and they are often not in the areas where we have a shop.’

Key Takeaways

• Many op-shoppers are frustrated with increasingly higher prices and believe charity shops are no longer an affordable option.
• A Vinnies shop in Sydney’s inner-west came under fire after a customer spotted a designer t-shirt for $350.
• The price was later amended to $100 due to customer feedback.
• The second-hand economy is booming and charity shops are offering more designer and vintage items at higher prices. It is believed that higher prices in charity shops are due to resellers and an increase in the cost of goods.

Do you regularly shop at op shops or charity shops? Have you encountered higher-than-normal prices? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

 

[powerchick]

If you can afford even $100 for a T-shirt, especially an second-hand one, I would consider that you are not "impoverished".