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:(

lemarcheaupuces · ‎09-10-2017

it is the same argument every time such thread pops up.

it don't get it either.

letoulousain

emerald40 · ‎09-10-2017

@lemarcheaupuces wrote:
@emerald40 wrote:
@getitright1234 wrote:
@emerald40 wrote:
@rolenboy01 wrote:
@emerald40 wrote:
@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.
Resellers don't have a right to eat or what? How do you know they aren't down on their luck as well or is it that you don't care?
Resellers who are not poor enough to qualify for assistance should either source their inventory elsewhere, of at least pay a fair amount for them, not off the backs of people who donate these items or the ones who truely need them.
You do know, resellers make donations as well, right!
Or they could alert the clerk when something is priced too low.
not sure who said that but just ridiculous.
perhaps we should alert people at yardsales, antiques shops etc... too.
i spent thousands of $ at thrift shops (since 1990 well over 100k).
i have lost money on thousands of items.
i have redonated thousands of items i bought to the thrifts.
so NOT going to feel bad if i am scoring on 1 item.
1 item makes up for all the others and helps me buy more from the same thrift shops.
it keeps the cycle going.

___________________________________________________________

I said that and also commented on what does a thrift, where the items are donated on the premise that it will go the poor, have to do with yard sales and especially antique shops?

As to the rest of your comment I do not see anything altruistic about buying items and hoping to resell it at a profit and when that does not work out you dump it back on them.

emerald40 · ‎09-10-2017

@mistwomandancing wrote:
@emerald40 wrote:
mistwomandancing wrote:..........to then say those who do not quite qualify for any financial or charitable giving helps and don't get that *voucher* handed to them should also to be barred from shopping in a thrift store just doesn't make any kind of kindly sense to me. And that seemed to be what you were saying... that only those SO poor as to fall below a certain income line should be allowed to shop in thrift stores.

What I am saying is that in a perfect society this could be handled entirely on the honor system. But unfortunately as Rose said and I have observed, how do you keep those driving there in a Mercades or a Lincoln from taking advantage of it.

So you think it's preferable to close off the low-cost thrift store shopping option to those needy who are just a fraction above *official* dirt-poor POVERTY level and withhold their permission to shop in a thrift store.... just to be able to prevent a few who drive a Mercedes or a Lincoln from being able to get in? I just can't believe it. I'm not trying to be mean, but this just hurts my heart.

As someone who gives their time to the local animal shelter, meals on wheels, the local food pantry and who serves dinner on Christmas Eve at the shelter connected to that pantry so that the people of Christian faith can be with their families, your heart should not hurt for me.

Save that for those who boast on here about buying an item for a $ and selling it for $$$ and gloating about it.

And forgot about the annual toy drive for Christmas and the coat giveaway on the day after Thanksgiving.

emerald40 · ‎09-10-2017

@lemarcheaupuces wrote:
it is the same argument every time such thread pops up.
it don't get it either.

And neither do those whose opinion differs from yours..

mistwomandancing · ‎09-10-2017

emerald40 wrote:
mistwomandancing wrote:
emerald40 wrote:..........What I am saying is that in a perfect society this could be handled entirely on the honor system. But unfortunately as Rose said and I have observed, how do you keep those driving there in a Mercades or a Lincoln from taking advantage of it.
So you think it's preferable to close off the low-cost thrift store shopping option to those needy who are just a fraction above *official* dirt-poor POVERTY level and withhold their permission to shop in a thrift store.... just to be able to prevent a few who drive a Mercedes or a Lincoln from being able to get in? I just can't believe it. I'm not trying to be mean, but this just hurts my heart.
As someone who gives their time to the local animal shelter, meals on wheels, the local food pantry and who serves dinner on Christmas Eve at the shelter connected to that pantry so that the people of Christian faith can be with their families, your heart should not hurt for me.

And forgot about the annual toy drive for Christmas and the coat giveaway on the day after Thanksgiving.

No, it wasn't for you that I felt badly, but your thought of barring the many in need to prevent a few better off folks from getting in. And the thought that this was a good thing to do.

I've never been a fan of denying help to a lot of folks who could use the help, just to satisfy some need to prevent a few others from partaking as well... (even if those few aren't all that poorly off.)

And many of us do good works, donate both time and effort, give money, materials, etc. It isn't about the doing... it's about the attitude. Believing it's preferable to deny thrift shopping to those in need above the breakoff point... as you stipulate *they don't have poor-people vouchers*... refusing help to those in need (in this case, shopping a thrift store) in order to prevent a few who are better off, THAT'S what felt so sad and uncomfortable. To actually think that's a good stand to take...

femmefan1946 · ‎09-10-2017

I've never eavesdropped enough to be sure, but based on a few things friends have said and what I heard at church, some charities will accept vouchers from churches.

I was a little surprised when one friend asked me to go to the grocery with her (her husband was out of jail and looking for her) and she had a 'voucher' from her Catholic priest, for the local supermarket. Which had a Jewish owner if that makes a difference.

I have no idea how the money part of it worked. At a guess, the supermarket could cash the 'voucher' from the church collection plate. It seemed to be congregation based, not churchwide.

But again, it was none of my business. I was there are emotional support.

lemarcheaupuces · ‎09-10-2017

yep...

that is what you say on every such thread.

scoring once in a while on an item at a thrift is what keeps the cycle going.

i make money, i pay my bills, i buy more...

this is also not just about collectibles.

it is about stinky shoes, clothing, household items...

i am appalled at the shoes most thrifts sell.

most are disgusting looking, worn and stink.

welcome... athlete foot, nail fungus and all that good stuff...

can't even find a pair of jeans in my size for around $5 (and i am height and weight proportionate so not that hard to fit).

why would i want to pay more when i can buy a brand new pair at walmart for not much more than $10?

why would i want to pay more than $5 for a used shirt.

walmart had Faded Glory shirts on sale for $5 each.

Target had an awesome purple pique shirt on sale for $7.99.

just sad i only bought one.

should have bought a few more in different colors that day.

3 rezunit air freshener at a thrift last week (sealed) $7.5...

you have to be kidding me right?

i buy these jewelry boxes at the dollar tree store.

white boxes with cotton, 3 different sizes in 1 pack for $1.

Savers had a bunch of them...

$3.99 each pack.

what about when the GW is selling priority mail boxes?

so instead of being so stubborn about 1 point of view what don't you read what people have to say.

prices in thrift shops are ridiculous.

i have been saying it for years.

and again it is not just about collectibles.

i find my best stuff at malls and the fleamarket.

found a Royal Copenhagen figurine for $6.99 on Friday.

and a potential NA made miniature dish for $1.

so the thrifts are not my favorite places to shop at.

most are just not fun.

too much junk and overpriced stuff.

letoulousain

emerald40 · ‎09-10-2017

but your thought of barring the many in need to prevent a few better off folks from getting in.

__________________________________________________

From what I have read here and observed it is much more than a few.

And from speaking with my husband unless you have regulations in place, then you are not properly serving the truely needy.

rolenboy01 · ‎09-10-2017

@emerald40 wrote:
@lemarcheaupuces wrote:
@emerald40 wrote:
@getitright1234 wrote:
@emerald40 wrote:
@rolenboy01 wrote:
@emerald40 wrote:
@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.
Resellers don't have a right to eat or what? How do you know they aren't down on their luck as well or is it that you don't care?
Resellers who are not poor enough to qualify for assistance should either source their inventory elsewhere, of at least pay a fair amount for them, not off the backs of people who donate these items or the ones who truely need them.
You do know, resellers make donations as well, right!
Or they could alert the clerk when something is priced too low.
not sure who said that but just ridiculous.
perhaps we should alert people at yardsales, antiques shops etc... too.
i spent thousands of $ at thrift shops (since 1990 well over 100k).
i have lost money on thousands of items.
i have redonated thousands of items i bought to the thrifts.
so NOT going to feel bad if i am scoring on 1 item.
1 item makes up for all the others and helps me buy more from the same thrift shops.
it keeps the cycle going.

___________________________________________________________

I said that and also commented on what does a thrift, where the items are donated on the premise that it will go the poor, have to do with yard sales and especially antique shops?

As to the rest of your comment I do not see anything altruistic about buying items and hoping to resell it at a profit and when that does not work out you dump it back on them.

I spend hundreds of dollars each year at the thrift store and so do a lot of people I know, the only way these places will stay afloat is if people that aren't poor come in and spend quite a bit of money period, furthermore a lot of people donate because they DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH THE ITEMS they are doing it with the specific intent that is going to "help the poor" as you claim, if that happens great but the main reason people are doing so is because they don't want to deal with the items for whatever reason.

lemarcheaupuces · ‎09-10-2017

@emerald40 wrote:
but your thought of barring the many in need to prevent a few better off folks from getting in.

__________________________________________________

From what I have read here and observed it is much more than a few.

And from speaking with my husband unless you have regulations in place, then you are not properly serving the truely needy.

i have been retired since 2004.

only way i can do it (still far from actual retirement age) is to lead a frugal life.

i find better deals at retail shops than at thrift shops when it comes to every day items.

just moved.

went to the dollar tree store.

bought a broom, mop, small garbage can, dust pan and hand broom and a lot more...

all for $1 each.

saw the same garbage can at the GW; $1.99...

bought a pillow at walmart $3.99.

looked at prices at the GW... $6.99 and all stained... grossed me out...

it pays off to know that thrift shops are not always the cheapest.

and more often than not, they are not the cheapest.

that is the sad part...

letoulousain

emerald40 · ‎09-10-2017

@rolenboy01 wrote:
@emerald40 wrote:
@lemarcheaupuces wrote:
@emerald40 wrote:
@getitright1234 wrote:
@emerald40 wrote:
@rolenboy01 wrote:
@emerald40 wrote:
@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.
Resellers don't have a right to eat or what? How do you know they aren't down on their luck as well or is it that you don't care?
Resellers who are not poor enough to qualify for assistance should either source their inventory elsewhere, of at least pay a fair amount for them, not off the backs of people who donate these items or the ones who truely need them.
You do know, resellers make donations as well, right!
Or they could alert the clerk when something is priced too low.
not sure who said that but just ridiculous.
perhaps we should alert people at yardsales, antiques shops etc... too.
i spent thousands of $ at thrift shops (since 1990 well over 100k).
i have lost money on thousands of items.
i have redonated thousands of items i bought to the thrifts.
so NOT going to feel bad if i am scoring on 1 item.
1 item makes up for all the others and helps me buy more from the same thrift shops.
it keeps the cycle going.

___________________________________________________________

I said that and also commented on what does a thrift, where the items are donated on the premise that it will go the poor, have to do with yard sales and especially antique shops?

As to the rest of your comment I do not see anything altruistic about buying items and hoping to resell it at a profit and when that does not work out you dump it back on them.
I spend hundreds of dollars each year at the thrift store and so do a lot of people I know, the only way these places will stay afloat is if people that aren't poor come in and spend quite a bit of money period, furthermore a lot of people donate because they DON'T WANT TO DEAL WITH THE ITEMS they are doing it with the specific intent that is going to "help the poor" as you claim, if that happens great but the main reason people are doing so is because they don't want to deal with the items for whatever reason.

You are correct. There are some who do not want to deal with the items and just looking for a place to dump it. But I wonder the reason why? Maybe because it is cheaper than going to the dump.

I am talking about a whole different scenario - people like me who donate top quality merchandise so that others can benefit.

stonevintage · ‎09-10-2017

Emerald, I think it's time you consider that a resellers time and effort has some value. Not to mention what they pay in addition for listing fees, selling fees, losses and shipping. This, together with time and effort, plus flat out losses - not every item we purchase sells... lol, far from it.

You're setting a black and white where none exists. How is it you purchase from pawn shops and feel so much better "socially correct" about that? I don't get it....?

How do you weigh in on every larger thrift store reselling online to the highest bidder? Not benefiting the local community at all.

emerald40 · ‎09-10-2017

@lemarcheaupuces wrote:
@emerald40 wrote:
but your thought of barring the many in need to prevent a few better off folks from getting in.

__________________________________________________

From what I have read here and observed it is much more than a few.

And from speaking with my husband unless you have regulations in place, then you are not properly serving the truely needy.
i have been retired since 2004.
only way i can do it (still far from actual retirement age) is to lead a frugal life.
i find better deals at retail shops than at thrift shops when it comes to every day items.
just moved.
went to the dollar tree store.
bought a broom, mop, small garbage can, dust pan and hand broom and a lot more...
all for $1 each.
saw the same garbage can at the GW; $1.99...
bought a pillow at walmart $3.99.
looked at prices at the GW... $6.99 and all stained... grossed me out...
it pays off to know that thrift shops are not always the cheapest.
and more often than not, they are not the cheapest.
that is the sad part...

I wonder if donations are drying up. Or the only ones they are getting are unsellable items.

Or someone got there ahead of you and picked over all the good stuff.

I have read where some know exactly when the trucks are coming in with donations and are there waiting for them.

emerald40 · ‎09-10-2017

@stonevintage wrote:
Emerald, I think it's time you consider that a resellers time and effort has some value. Not to mention what they pay in addition for listing fees, selling fees, losses and shipping. This, together with time and effort, plus flat out losses - not every item we purchase sells... lol, far from it.

You're setting a black and white where none exists. How is it you purchase from pawn shops and feel so much better "socially correct" about that? I don't get it....?

Not sure what your first paragraph has to do with anything. You grab what you find priced cheap and relist it hoping to make a proft. If it does not work, you made a bad business decision. But you are taking it away from the truely needy who want to buy that clothing item to stay warm.

And pawn shops. No one donates to them, you sell them your items. Yes some pawn shops do take advantage, and they did with me. I lost a lot selling my late mom's jewelry to spend down for Medicaid. But that was my decision. I sold it to them. They sell it to someone else. But I knew exactly how that would go walking in. With a thrift shop, I donate it to them under a premise that I learned was a lie.

stonevintage · ‎09-10-2017

I get deals at my local thrift store. I do not try back room tactics. It's really not my problem how the thrifts operate or how they supplement their employees income with discount on goods. I still get deals. That's how I still justify shopping at them for my personal needs.

I put the value on a scale, it's my job to know a deal when I see one. What I consider a deal (because of my research and personal need at the time) may not be an item that is attractive at all to other buyers. Sometimes, I buy cherry finds, something that would be attractive to any reseller that knows the value.

I go to the thrifts twice per day. That is my investment in getting what I consider the occasional deal. Knowledge is required. Time is spent. The manager understands this cycle and knows that I give back also (I donate back everything I purchase that isn't for personal use if it doesn't sell).... she welcomes all resellers because they do the same.

It may be different elsewhere, but here - we're a pretty happy symbionic group:)