Shopping at the Salvation Army (jeans, shoe, best, brand)

[deerislesmile]

Originally Posted by undertheironsea

Phhhht, that's horse ****. When I donate clothes to those stores, it's for people who can't afford to even shop at a department store...those who are "slightly under" my income level can shop retail just like anyone else. If I knew it were only going to people who wanted high fashion for low prices, I'd keep my stuff and tell them to hit a sale at the mall.

Sorry if you can't grasp the reality of how charity works, but it is exactly the way I said it above- the PROFITS from the sale of your clothing DONATIONS go into programs that help the NEEDY. You need not get in a snit because the clothes you donate are not being worn by the poor- they are likely benefitting MUCH more from the donation-supported programs funded by the sale of used clothing than they would by getting your clothes. The charities help with all kinds of issues brought forth by poverty- rent, heating costs, medical help, food, etc- how do you THINK they get the money to provide those services? And as far as the victims of natural disasters and other crisis.. do you really think they load up tractor trailers full of donated clothing and truck them to the locations hundreds, thousands of miles away? No- they send a check (or wire transfer or whatever) to the charity on-location so that once the needs are assessed, the charity can provide what is needed, whether it be clothes, drinking water, temporary housing or whatever... and the check is written from the funds that the charity has generated by the sale of...your used clothes. It's a pretty good use of resources, if you ask me.

In most cases, the people applying for help are given a voucher to shop for clothes, if they need them, but for the most part, are applying for other forms of help- namely housing, food, utility and medical bills. Your donated clothing helps to support this.

If the way that these organizations utilize the limited resources that they have in order to help the poor bothers you, stop being charitible to them.

And FWIW, even most of the church charity shops take a good percentage of the profits from their clothing sales to fund their in-church food banks and things like camp scholarships, and other stuff that does benefit the needy, but not always with actually giving them the used clothing. (Hitting poverty does not automatically make you naked.. most people actually don't need that many clothes, unless you are taking about a sudden case of homelessness, which is for the most part, rare.)

[lettuce]

Anyhow, back on track.

I love spending hours at the Salvation Army looking over all the used clothes. Last weekend, I found a wonderful pair of purple linen pants for $6 -- perfect for the warm summer days. I also found a lovely yellow linen shirt. I look for stuff that still looks pretty new. It's taken me a while to get good at buying used clothes, but now I'm a pro. And what I love is how much money I save, hundreds of dollars. I've been working hard to pay off debt, so shopping for used clothes at the Salvation Army is my one indulgence. It fulfills my need to "acquire things" without breaking the bank.

I've been working hard all week, so tomorrow I'm going to spend about three hours there. I'll post again to tell y'all what I've found!!

luv,

lettuce

[lettuce]

SATURDAY'S FINDS:

Hey folks, I had a great day at the Salvation Army yesterday. I bought two silk scarves, one L.L. Bean pullover, and a lovely blue linen shirt. Everything looks brand new. I spent $15.00 total.

Thanks to places like Salvation Army and Goodwill, I'm able to shave hundreds of dollars of my monthly budget and pay off my remaining debt much faster. Once my debt is paid off, I'll continue to live simply all my life and put my money in the bank, where I can earn interest, rather than pay it !!!

[Rita Mordio]

I shop at thrift stores for many of my daughter's clothes because it doesn't make sense to me to spend $30-$40 per outfit... when she's only going to wear it for a few months. When I take her shopping, my husband and I also look at some stuff for us as well.

We got many of her plushies and toys at these thrift stores. We clean them up and she doesn't know the difference.

Just yesterday, I picked up my daughter's dress for her birthday party at the CHKD Thrift Store - and found the perfect crib/changing table/high chair set for her baby dolls.

[andreaspercheron]

I don't mind shopping at the stores like that (salvation army, goodwill, etc) sometimes you can find really nice clothes, purses, etc..
I won't buy undergarments or shoes, I do draw the line somewhere LOL but for the clothing and purses, heck yeah! I also bought stuff for the kids when they were little and to this day, they really appreciate a good bargain!

[Jdawg8181]

Does anyone buy shoes @ thrift stores? I have never but I am curious as to what is best way to clean them...thanks.

[lettuce]

Originally Posted by Jdawg8181

Does anyone buy shoes @ thrift stores? I have never but I am curious as to what is best way to clean them...thanks.

I never have any luck with shoes. I tried buying on ebay, too, but I think shoes and underwear, I'll have to purchase retail.

[Rita Mordio]

Originally Posted by Jdawg8181

Does anyone buy shoes @ thrift stores? I have never but I am curious as to what is best way to clean them...thanks.

A few years ago, I found the perfect boots at a thrift store. I put them on and walked in them for about 10 minutes to ensure that they would fit. They were barely used.

I just threw 'em in the washer and dryer. Absolutely fine.

I won't ever buy undergarments at the thrift store. That's just too icky for me.

[fierce_flawless]

Originally Posted by Kuharai

A few years ago, I found the perfect boots at a thrift store. I put them on and walked in them for about 10 minutes to ensure that they would fit. They were barely used.

I just threw 'em in the washer and dryer. Absolutely fine.

I won't ever buy undergarments at the thrift store. That's just too icky for me.

I don't know of any around here that sell used undergarments. They sell overstock, things that still have tags, used nightgowns, and I guess I've seen some used bras...

I am not bothered by anything that can be washed in hot water, though I do buy my PANTIES new.

[uglyblackjohn]

I used to mix a classic 40's-60's item with a new Armani or Richard Tyler coat. Some of the styles at vintage stores aren't prduced anymore so it seems like a win - win. Now... if I can only find that 40's wool overcoat..