Charity shops on British high streets sell donated clothes, coats, crockery and furniture. Start with where to look, then when to go — and keep the clothes and homeware checks in hand while you browse.
The best finds go fast, and the racks also hold items not worth taking home, so the checks below are the difference between the two.
Where to Look
Shops in affluent areas tend to receive higher-quality donations — designer labels, good fabrics, well-kept furniture — because that is what local people own and give away. It is worth travelling a little for a cluster of charity shops in a good neighbourhood, rather than visiting one shop at random.
Different chains have different strengths. Some are known for fashion, others for books, others for homeware and furniture. The big furniture and electrical shops run by the larger charities are worth a visit if you need a sofa, a table, or a washing machine: items are checked, cleaned, and often delivered.
Do not overlook the smaller, independent charity shops. They are often less picked-over than the big chains, and their prices can be lower. A charity shop attached to a hospice, a hospital, or an animal shelter can be a goldmine precisely because fewer bargain hunters know about it.
When to Go
Many charity shops put out new stock in the morning, after sorting the previous day's donations. Arriving soon after opening, especially on a weekday, gives you first look at the freshest stock before the weekend crowds.
Weekday mornings are generally quieter than Saturdays, which means more time to browse and less competition for the good pieces. Some shops have a regular pattern — a delivery day, a sale rail, a clearance week — and it is worth asking a volunteer when new stock comes out. Regulars who visit once a week, even for twenty minutes, find far more than people who visit once in a blue moon.
End-of-season clearances are another opportunity. When a shop needs to turn over stock, prices drop, and a coat that was £15 in January might be £5 in March. The same applies to homeware: after Christmas, donations of unwanted gifts flood in, and January can be a great month for crockery, glassware, and small appliances.
Clothes: What to Check
For clothes, fabric is the first check, followed by seams, buttons, zips and fit, as set out below. Fabric is the first clue: natural fabrics like wool, cashmere, silk, linen, and good cotton tend to last longer and look better than thin synthetics. Check the label — a well-made garment usually says so.
Then inspect the garment properly. Check the seams for fraying, the armpits and collar for wear, the buttons and zips for damage, and the lining for tears. Hold the garment up to the light to spot thin patches or stains. Check the cuffs and hems, which wear first. A missing button is a small fix; a worn elbow or a stained collar is not.
Fit matters more than brand. A £4 jumper that fits beautifully is a better buy than a £10 designer jacket that does not. Most charity shops have changing rooms, so try things on. And remember that many charity shops accept returns within a short window — ask at the till if you are unsure.
Classics to look for are a wool coat, a cashmere jumper, a leather jacket, a good pair of boots and a silk scarf. These are items that cost a fortune new and often appear in charity shops in excellent condition because their owners bought them well and looked after them.
Homeware: Quality at a Fraction of the Price
Homeware is where charity shops really shine. A set of solid wooden chairs, a vintage tea set, a good mirror, or a set of picture frames can cost a fraction of the new price — and often looks better than something flat-packed.
For crockery and glassware, check for chips and cracks by running a finger around the rim and base, and hold glass up to the light. For furniture, check that drawers run smoothly, doors close properly, and legs are sturdy. Upholstered furniture from a reputable charity furniture shop should have a fire-safety label — if it does not, leave it.
Electrical items in charity shops should have been safety tested, and most shops will tell you so. Kettles, toasters, lamps, and irons are common finds. If you are buying anything electrical, check that the flex is undamaged and ask whether it has been tested.
Books, records, and DVDs are the easiest wins of all: prices are low, condition is easy to judge, and you can build a whole library for the price of one new hardback.
Shopping Well, and Giving Back
A few habits make charity shopping more rewarding. Go with a rough idea of what you need — a winter coat, a set of plates, a desk lamp — but stay open to surprises. Set a budget and stick to it. And be kind to the volunteers: they sort, price, and steam an enormous volume of donations, and a friendly regular is more likely to hear about a good piece that has just come in.
When you clear out your own wardrobe or kitchen, donate good-quality items to a charity shop: the fabric, seam and fire-label checks above apply in reverse, so only donate items that pass them.