eBay

stonevintage · ‎09-08-2017

Seems like the thrift stores are getting a little greedy. Price increases averaging 15% per year for the last 3 years, especially on general clothing and speciality or NWT items.

A used pullover sweatshirt or pair of used sweatpants here was 3.95 three years ago. Now, they're all asking 5.95-6.95. Run of the mill, no name brands.

Decor items.. with the Ross "compare at 9.99 stickers", yours for a great bargin of 4.99. I guess here, half price of what item was new - is their best deal to offer. Apparently, items fallen out of trend have no impact on their pricing considerations. Lots of owl and elephant figurines of all shapes and sizes getting donated now cause they're over - but still marked at on trend prices.

Don't they know, before these new items were donated - they were likely offered at half price or better in the retail store before they did their shelf pull and donated them???

Anyone else notice yet another price jump in the last month or so? The winter clothes just coming out now have about a 30% jump in last years pricing:(

mistwomandancing · ‎09-09-2017

emerald40 wrote:

You do realize, some eBay re-sellers are the "Poor". In fact, if they were not re-sellers based on their other "limited and fixed" income they would qualify for food stamps, cash assistance, utility aid, etc. Some people are poor because they "choose" not to work or work hard enough to support themselves.

And...........
The proceeds the Thrift stores received from resellers puts cash in their hands .............this cash helps the these stores help those who are "unable" to support themselves; its a WIN WIN situation!

________________________________________________

Then they would have a voucher to show they qualify.

Around here, if the only folks who were allowed to buy at the thrift shops had to have vouchers to show they qualified.. or if they had to *qualify* at all by being very poor with or without vouchers, our thrifts would go out of business.

The very poor are definitely helped mightily by our charity thrift shops here, but actually buy very little of what they receive. They don't have the money to be shopping much for family and home. So they aren't the ones who put the cash in the register drawers!

The MONEY the thrift shops receives from sales, that goes to their causes (which are directed toward the poor and needy of whatever need) comes from those who buy for themselves, their family members and homes, and those who buy to resell.

If our shops refused to sell anything unless shown a voucher, they'd close up within days.

And where would folks even get a *voucher* anyway? Who hands out vouchers? And who is the Good Soul who demands the needy face the humiliation of having to prove they are indeed poor, and poor enough to be worthy of the charity they so desperately need. That somehow even feels hateful.

moondogblues · ‎09-10-2017

I buy at a local Flea Market, or online here for about half of those prices, or less.

moondogblues · ‎09-10-2017

"2 of the 4 thrifts I shop are now fully converted into computer pricing. The pricer simply searches the category lists and prints a label that shows the price. This results in a disposable 5 pack of aluminum mini 3 inch tart pans to be priced at 4.99 Same as a regular pie plate. Lol, or the Sweat pants/top to be priced same as an Adidas or Nike track suit. Or, that 16 gallon beat up plastic storage container to be catagorized as "Garage - Storage bin" to be priced at 12.99.... the list goes on and on and they have to price at what the computer says.... "

And then they wonder why people shop at the Dollar store.

moondogblues · ‎09-10-2017

stoc rich...just who the heck do you think you are dissing everyone like that?

Oh and edit your block of 'prose', maybe spell check, and geez paragraphs maybe too.

Oh yea...I'd hate to be you too.

Moderators...he/she WAS out of line. I tried to be nice, but could not help a lil come back.

moondogblues · ‎09-10-2017

"Rose, I only read the first line but imo a thrift is not the same thing as a garage sale.

A thrift is a place where people donate items wanting to help the poor. So that sweater you bought, I am sure was donated by someone who wanted the thrift to either sell it to someone in need or to someone else who would pay its true value so that money could then be used to help the poor.

So to the thrift, all I can add is that maybe a few of you resellers should instead of taking advantage of pricing point it out to the clerks there so they can change the price accordingly."

Thrift stores are also places where people who have lost loved ones donate their items.

And if 'thrift' stores were to charge antique/vintage prices for those donated goods they may as well be antique stores. And charge accordingly, and go under.

Also if I am not correct you stated that if it were not for eBay, and sellers 'dumping' valuable jewelry here, you would not have been able to build up a 'world class' collection.

This was a few months ago. And I agree with you there. I collect jewelry too, vintage mostly...not to get off topic. But prices here and at the Fleas, are great. Thrift stores not so much.

The one near me sells (HaHa) USED blouses for 7.99...I can go down the street (same mall) to Ross, and get them for 5.00 (brand new)......or do the dreaded anti-American thing and order them straight from China for 3 to 4 bucks, and free shipping and they are the SAME item as Ross has.

moondogblues · ‎09-10-2017

This was an interesting thread, got me thinking a bit....

retrose1 · ‎09-10-2017

@emerald40 wrote:
Rose, I only read the first line but imo a thrift is not the same thing as a garage sale.

A thrift is a place where people donate items wanting to help the poor. So that sweater you bought, I am sure was donated by someone who wanted the thrift to either sell it to someone in need or to someone else who would pay its true value so that money could then be used to help the poor.

So to the thrift, all I can add is that maybe a few of you resellers should instead of taking advantage of pricing point it out to the clerks there so they can change the price accordingly.

Of course a garage sale is not a thrift. But my story was to prove my point that some people get rid of great stuff for dumb reasons. Since I do not see who donates at the back door of the thrifts, but I do see the same thinking at garage sales.

And I don't donate good stuff to Goodwill because people I know and trust tell me that they throw a lot of donations away, and the Jag and Lexus, that are parked behind the district offices, tells me where the money is going, along with knowing how much they are paying to the upper class strip malls their stores are in.

(*Bleep*)

loveyourimagination49 · ‎09-10-2017

When my aunts house burned down, the Red Cross gave her vouchers to use a thrift stores for clothes and furniture.

Everyone has options. Just be sure the best option is right for you.

mistwomandancing · ‎09-10-2017

loveyourimagination49 wrote:
When my aunts house burned down, the Red Cross gave her vouchers to use a thrift stores for clothes and furniture.

Yes, we do have the very occasional Special Occasion calamity that somebody would be given a voucher for here too.. of this sort, but not remotely enough of those tragedies to support a single thrift.

loveyourimagination49 · ‎09-10-2017

I understand that. I was just responding about the voucher.

Everyone has options. Just be sure the best option is right for you.

getitright1234 · ‎09-10-2017

I was raised understanding the value of shopping at a thirft stores. My mother regularly shopped at thrift stores, these stores helped my family save a lot of money. My mom bought clothes, furniture, dishes, and small appliances.

When I became a college student and older adult, I too made it part of my lifestyle to shop at thirft stores, in fact, it was I who taught my friends the value of shopping at thirft stores. My friends both young college students and now older adult use to exclusively shop at department stores and the mail. When the saw how much more I got for my money, they began to listen and take my lead; therefore they now shop at thirft stores.

While shopping at these thrift stores, one of the best feeling I often get is when I see someone in utter disbelief with excitement of what they have found in a thrift store, and these people were not flippers/resellers. Thrift stores are for "everyone" the poor, middle class, and the rich. In fact, before parents send their kids off to college , they should encourage their kids to shop at thrift stores, learn how to make your dollar stretch. The same clothing you see at a thrift store is the same clothing some other college student has worn, but was donated by them or their family. Shopping at thrift stores teaches fiscal responsibility.

I can think of alot of groups who could benefits from shopping at thrift stores:

1. Young single mothers.

2. Young single fathers.

3. College students

4. Highschool students

5. First time homeowners

6. Victim of diasters: fire/flood/etc.

Most thrift stores have reasonable prices especially when they offer 50% off color tag day for clothes, shoe, electronics, and misc . However, I have been is some store that were so over priced, I literally watched items stay of the shelf for years; I am not kidding. The manager of that thrift store flat out refused to reduce the prices, he was a stupid jerk who had no business sense. What good did does it do for a veteran when a lamp sets on the shelf marked $ 99.99 for (2) years. This same store became so cluttered because more was coming in than going out.

emerald40 · ‎09-10-2017

@oleander1993 wrote:
Very generous of you. But I wouldn't worry if the furniture is sold to someone in real need of it or sold to someone else and the money from that sale used to help people in need. I think you could feel good about giving either way.

No, what bothers me is when it is priced pennies on the dollar, a reseller takes advantage of it, and the only person that benefits is him.

emerald40 · ‎09-10-2017

@mistwomandancing wrote:
@emerald40 wrote:

You do realize, some eBay re-sellers are the "Poor". In fact, if they were not re-sellers based on their other "limited and fixed" income they would qualify for food stamps, cash assistance, utility aid, etc. Some people are poor because they "choose" not to work or work hard enough to support themselves.

And...........
The proceeds the Thrift stores received from resellers puts cash in their hands .............this cash helps the these stores help those who are "unable" to support themselves; its a WIN WIN situation!

________________________________________________

Then they would have a voucher to show they qualify.

Around here, if the only folks who were allowed to buy at the thrift shops had to have vouchers to show they qualified.. or if they had to *qualify* at all by being very poor with or without vouchers, our thrifts would go out of business.

The very poor are definitely helped mightily by our charity thrift shops here, but actually buy very little of what they receive. They don't have the money to be shopping much for family and home. So they aren't the ones who put the cash in the register drawers!

The MONEY the thrift shops receives from sales, that goes to their causes (which are directed toward the poor and needy of whatever need) comes from those who buy for themselves, their family members and homes, and those who buy to resell.

If our shops refused to sell anything unless shown a voucher, they'd close up within days.

And where would folks even get a *voucher* anyway? Who hands out vouchers? And who is the Good Soul who demands the needy face the humiliation of having to prove they are indeed poor, and poor enough to be worthy of the charity they so desperately need. That somehow even feels hateful.

_____________________________________________________________

Around here if your children qualify for reduced or free lunches, you have to show proof.

I volunteer at a food pantry, and the people who take advantage show proof.

I deliver for meals on wheels, same thing. Proof is needed to show you qualify.

Christmas toys for poor children. Donations are put on shelves, and then you show proof of eligibility so your kids can pick up a toy.

Around here, proof would be Medicaid or Children and Family Service or some other State organization.

emerald40 · ‎09-10-2017

@retrose1 wrote:
@emerald40 wrote:
Rose, I only read the first line but imo a thrift is not the same thing as a garage sale.

A thrift is a place where people donate items wanting to help the poor. So that sweater you bought, I am sure was donated by someone who wanted the thrift to either sell it to someone in need or to someone else who would pay its true value so that money could then be used to help the poor.

So to the thrift, all I can add is that maybe a few of you resellers should instead of taking advantage of pricing point it out to the clerks there so they can change the price accordingly.
Of course a garage sale is not a thrift. But my story was to prove my point that some people get rid of great stuff for dumb reasons. Since I do not see who donates at the back door of the thrifts, but I do see the same thinking at garage sales.

And I don't donate good stuff to Goodwill because people I know and trust tell me that they throw a lot of donations away, and the Jag and Lexus, that are parked behind the district offices, tells me where the money is going, along with knowing how much they are paying to the upper class strip malls their stores are in.

__________________________________________________________________________

As I do my fall cleaning, I have a lot of items to donate. And I will now be more selective as to where I donate. - maybe one of the local Churches.

emerald40 · ‎09-10-2017

Your aunt's situation is exactly what was told to me. And that is why I donated everything in my late mom's apartment so it could be used by people like her, who lost everything.