Why are op shops and charity shops in Australia so expensive?

why are charity shops in australia so expensive

COMMENT.

I have been upcycling and second hand shopping for decades.  I am extremely passionate about treading lighter on the earth and wonder if I can one day become a ‘non-consumer’. Is that even possible?

As a long-time second hand shopper and upcycler of 35+ years, I am baffled as to why charity shops in Australia, particularly in our major cities, are now charging exorbitant prices for the goods donated to them.

For decades, I would have been considered one of the best customers at my local op shops. Now I rarely visit.

I have always worked in the corporate world and now run an online marketing business. Throughout my working career, the overwhelming majority of my corporate wardrobe has been second hand.  From power suits and shift dresses to leather pumps and carriage handbags, they’ve all been second hand.  With the ability to sew, I can alter just about anything to fit me perfectly.

Commerce globally would collapse if we followed the business model of modern charity shops.

So, why are charity clothing shops like Savlos, Vinnies, etc, charging such enormous prices for goods that have been donated to them – for free?

Every time this conversation rears it’s ugly head – usually after someone has a rant on their socials – the charity shops counteract this by saying that some customers scout their stores for designer goods and then sell them for a premium.

Huh? Who cares!!!!

Does a hardware store charge a carpenter a premium for timber if he is going to make a table and sell it? No.

Does a habadashery shop charge their customers extra if they buy fabric, sew a dress, and then sell it?  No.

Does a grocery store charge a cake maker more if they make and sell muffins from flour purchased from them? No.

Why then are charity shops taking this bizarre, and unique, perspective? If all stores followed the charity store concept, commerce globally would collapse!

In accepting donated goods, do charity stores have an ethical and environmental obligation to uphold?

A recent article on Australian news website, news.com.au, highlighted the growing outrage from Australians who are finding op shop clothes unrealistically high (read the article here »).

Personally, I wonder if the charity shops have an (unwritten) ethical or moral obligation in their acceptance of donated goods?

For example, when making a clothing donation, does the donor believe the charity shop is doing their utmost to keep those items out of landfill? Therefore, does the charity shop have a moral obligation to adhere to this?

If the donor believes their items are being given to people in need, in accepting the goods, does the charity shop have an ethical obligation to do so?

And finally, if the donor believes, while a price may be charged for their donated goods, it will be set at a price that’s affordable for those in need, does the charity have an obligation to make this happen?

Is there a growing disconnect between what the donating public expects, and what is actually happening with goods donated to charities?

I wonder if there is now a growing disconnect between what people believe is happening with the goods they are donating, and how they’re handled and where they end up?

I am of the understanding that donated clothes last 5 weeks in a charity store. After the fifth week, they are either sent to become rags or end up in landfill.  And lets be honest, with the scary amount of polyester (plastic) in our clothing now, moisture absorbency is virtually non-existant.

While it must be said, it is certainly not the role of charity shops to solve the problem of the world’s obsessive over consumption and love affair with fast fashion, I believe charity shops could play an important and powerful role in keeping goods in a circular economy.

If charity shops drastically reduced their prices, more people could afford them. More consumers would buy second hand instead of from the unbelievably cheap fast fashion outlets.  People in need could return to charity shops for affordable clothing options.

The increase in custom would undoutedly counteract any losses by reducing prices.  It’s a win-win all round.

Let’s keep the conversation going… If you have any feedback or comments about the content of this article, don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly via hello@secondlifeupcycling.com.



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