CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 2 — The thrill of the hunt is fading for a growing number of thrifters, who say charity shops have quietly abandoned their bargain-hunting roots. For years, buying pre-owned clothes was a smart, eco-friendly way to save cash while scoring unique pieces. But a steady creep in prices at charity retailers has left even devoted second-hand enthusiasts rethinking their shopping habits.
Jordan Lee, a pre-loved reseller who posts his finds on social media as @thecarbootguy, recently called out the shift. In an Instagram post, he said he rarely visits charity shops anymore — especially the big, well-known chains — because of the cost hikes.
“I honestly don’t go into charity shops as much anymore — especially the big, well-known chains — simply because of the prices,” he wrote. “Whether you’re popping in to try and resell items online or just hoping to find yourself a bargain, it sometimes feels like the whole point has been lost.” The accusation is simple: charity retailers, which exist to raise money for their causes, are capitalizing on the expanding resale trend by pushing up prices on donated goods.
Lee argued that on resale platforms like Vinted, shoppers can often find identical brands in superb condition across different sizes for significantly less than they’d pay in a charity shop. “I’ve even seen things in charity shops priced higher than they would be brand new in the actual high street store!” he declared.
He acknowledged that charities need to raise funds. The trend puts charity shops in a tricky spot. The boom in vintage hunting and flipping has brought more customers through their doors, but it’s also created pressure to price items closer to market value.
For casual shoppers just looking for a deal, that erodes the entire appeal. Whether this pricing strategy ultimately helps or hurts the charities’ bottom lines remains to be seen. But for now, a growing chorus of former regulars is voting with their feet — and their wallets.
