No ...............Pound Shops I've heard of - is that a similar thing?

I've heard of Thrift Shops. Are they not just another name for a charity/fundraising type shop?

No Soozy...tis where the shop sells on behalf of a customer for a small percentage..

The RAF run them fairly often Yogi...tis as above.....would you partake?

I found this:

"Thrift Stores are resale shops that sell used goods (sometimes new if you’re lucky!). Usually a thrift store builds its inventory off of donations. Some are non-profit organizations, while others are not. You can see whether a thrift store is a non-profit or not usually by looking at the signage. But if you are unsure and would like to know, be sure to ask an employee."

Well, since Mr Yogi drags me round every single charity shop in our area, I'm sure he'd take me to any Thrift shops that were set up - especially if The Forces were to benefit in some way.

Tis a CiC fer sure.....non profit organisation....but would you use it ?

This is in aid of a village in the Gambia....water has been put in place..a school has been erected..as have a pharmacy & internet cafe....but all needs funding!

Am about to open a shop to help fund this project...don't want to rely on donations alone......have experience with Thrift shops & know that in this current clime...folk can't be affording to give so much away...if we can help them realise some capitol from their goods & make some good cause money in the process...can only be a good thing dontcha think ??

Receptive of honesty here!!!!  

U.S. Thrift shops are brilliant... the 2 Summers I spent in the U.S. I came home with a load of clothes, really  out-of -fashion , and bought for nothing... when I came home to Ireland, they were retro- fashion...and expensive in fashion/vintage shops . It was the 90's, but its still the same...

Fashion repeats  itself,  ESPECIALLY Fashion...  Plus ça change (plus c'est la même chose).

The charity gets funds from the profits and the people who are handing in goods also get something back? It sounds like a good idea to me.

Yeah I think its a good idea.

I've not seen any here but been in some in America I actually thought our charity shops are better

Nice to have the choice though ..Yes ?

Excellent point 

There will no doubt be some in the village that have what they may consider outdated....but infact are very much in date...I would LOVE to bring that together in my shop!

Am also considering having a couch in the back room alongside a turntable for old LP's......folk will be able to bring their own along...maybe in exchange for a lil voluntary help...sorting through donations 

Am wanting this project to very much be a community thing!

Thrift shops are kind of cool  in America... down and outs... AND / or weird alterntive types shop there for nothing, A few cents...

Here...people shop for old vintage clothes in  overpriced stores... theres no massive old/ oxfam warehouses like in the U.S.

Oh yeah!  Hiyah Slimferm.. direct me to your shop please... for some reason I look and feel better... in older / better fashions ?

Nosey! you wouldn't believe the good stuff that hasbeen donated already...Laura Ashley clothes for young girls....Wedding gowns etc....stuff that folk are willing to throw away!!! It makes no sense to me whatsoever!

I will be fer sure announcing my website on here for all to see 
If no-one buys...I would at least like a 'like from all'...and if not...will want to know why ?? 

Slimern... I look forward to it 

*pricks up ears - has niece who is getting married and would love a nice gown but not have to pay too much for it*

Ha!
When up & running will post pics of sed gowns....if any take your fancy...am sure we can arrange a tidy discount  

I been in a few charity shops over the years (work related) and walked past plenty. Never bought a thing nor wanted to.

The problem with most charity shops is that they are pitched as charity shops and are therefore fighting against the negative image associated with them. That's enough to turn away at least 50% of people immediately cos who wants to be seen as a "charity case"?

I know there are probably some great shops out there but almost without exception i've found them to be miserable, scruffy round the edges, filled with an incoherent mish mash of obvious cast offs.

I guess the first rule of charity shop is ... don't be a charity shop!!

Would like to add that most of the stock I have already Mr Rents...is brand new!

I find it a wee bit of a snobby attitude you have there regard the second hand retail experience Rents!
You need to come along with me on the road to discovery!...most of the stuff I wear these days has been handed in...mostly never been worn! 

Like i say - its the image not necessarily the content

I always thought that 'charity shops' were for funding charities, not for 'charity cases' to shop in! 

I use them mostly for 'Dress Your Kids Up as Some Other Bloody Theme' days, at school. 

I think there is room for both yes Blizzie ?

I love the eclectic gatherings in the local charity window....kin be very entertaining!  

Sounds great Slim 
I know of a few here, mostly within Churches , and the money is sent off to whatever their cause is.
I love Charity shops, nothing better than a good old rummage! Get some great bargains too  

Eclectic gathering is another way of saying "jumble sale" LOL

Seriously i willnever rake through other people's old clothes.

New ones - yes - in a shop pitched as anything other than a charity shop

i read that line as having a crouch in the back room, it made me laugh.

but i think your thrift shop is  good and workable idea.

So 'Thrift!' ....as was the title of this here thread....NOT Charity!!

That's been my experience with them too, I never seem to be able to find anything I have a friend who loves charity shops and often has lovely things she's managed to find, but I only ever seem to be able to find tat - I obviously have no luck

Seriously - don't pitch it as a shop "on the cheap"

Why do you have to? Why not just a shop with great stuff that happens to help charities? I think the charity theme is pushed too hard and scares some off.

It does sound like you have lots of good ideas Fern

I will keep the good tat in your reserve Saz....for your visit 

Because if it is to promote a charity..one is obliged to give details!
Renton...charity does not mean substandard! to me it means recycled....99% of stuff these days can be recycled...am disgraced that it isn't!!! 

Ferny - i agree the content may be amazing

its the negative image that will make it suffer

Maybe I'm on a list, and everyone does that

oh, if you're handy, you could 'upcycle' stuff - that's really popular atm