second hand store pricing
This is a bit of a spin off vent about the Value Village retailer reviews thread. I am a huge thrift store shopper. I love finding interesting vintage finds, re-doing furniture and projects and getting kids clothing for way less. I am fairly impartial on where I go, i.e. Salvation Army, Goodwill, Value Village, garage sales and indie thrift stores in towns.
But recently the pricing at these stores has changed.
Case in point, today at VV, I pick up a pair of Old Navy shorts for kids. Asking price (used) $4.99.
You can currently get them on sale at Old Navy for $5 + use a discount coupon and get them brand new cheaper.
I stood there actually wondering what store I was in.
Isn't the point of thrift stores to be thrifty? Like when you donate to Goodwill they use the money to benefit people that need it. As does SA. But even depending on their location their prices haven't been too kind. There's two different Salvation Army locations that I visit and both have such drastically different pricing it's insane. One you can get 3 pieces of kids clothes for $2. In another, not a chance...
I have been shopping at VV since I was a teen and I remember being able to get kids t-shirts for .99
Now I know inflation and costs go up, but I feel like overall margin has creeped up to uncomfortable levels. I know this has often been discussed in terms of VV doing it, but when it's starting with other stores, I feel like this really defeats the purpose of buying second hand.
I'm wondering 'who' decides on pricing for items because everything has gone up and God forbid the people that actually need to shop at second hand shops are being ripped off. I think that's what pisses me off the most. I thrift b/c I can save money on kids clothing and housewares, but I am fortunate that I pay normal price for these items. I am naturally a saver so I try to save where I can.
But if I had to shop there...this is what gets under my skin. It's like they lost their way.