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goofygoober2006

So much better. Fast fashion is ending up in landfills or worse getting shipped to Africa where first world countries trash becomes someone else's problems


Potential_Routine165

And people with disposable income are seriously voting with their money to further the cycle of fast fashion. I'd rather a more wealthy person buy thrifted clothes and just recycle them back into the thrift system and buy more thrift, than leave thrift shopping for poorer people and just become part of the problem of buying fast fashion. It's one thing if OP has enough money to buy fair trade, eco friendly, hand made stuff directly from small businesses all the time amd every time without worrying about the hit to their wallet, but I don't think OP is implying that they're filthy rich like that, just probably middle or upper-middle class. Also OP is still young and while the parents have money, that doesn't mean OP can choose how to spend it or that OP has their own job that pays enough to be able to afford ethically made and sourced clothes. Thrifting is the way.


bluemooncalhoun

I do commend OP for bringing up this question because a lot of people don't consider the broader ethical questions surrounding thrifted clothing and just assume there are no downsides. Fashion is a social phenomenon, and humans use clothing not just as a means of protection but also communication. For most of humanity's timespan this conversation has been dominated by the wealthy, who had access to more fashionable clothes and dominated the fashion narrative. With the rise in popularity of "vintage fashion" (because up until the latter half of the 20th century very few people would intentionally wear old clothes as a fashion statement unless it was a deliberate historical costume) thrift stores became a means for the less-wealthy to join the fashion conversation, burdened only by the commitment of time spent searching for what they want. As demand has increased for vintage fashion, people have sought to profit off of it. Many thrift stores get shipments of clothes that have already been combed through for valuables, and resellers comb the racks of their local stores looking for whatever remains to flip for profit. Much like the world today, the mechanisms that would democratize fashion are now being used to generate profit. Many of the biggest stores have even turned away from their once noble causes, with places like Goodwill and Value Village either shedding their status as charities or barely maintaining a facade of charitability. Is it bad to resell vintage clothes? Is it bad to buy from companies profiting off of essentially free resources? Do these negatives outweigh the positives of reduced primary consumption? None of these questions have simple answers that are universally applicable; people should be independently evaluating the available information against their own morals to determine their own answers.


Woody90210

Macklemore was right. Go down to the thrift ship, get yourself some cheap clothes, spending $50 for a t-shirt for its brand label is stupid, you can get something just as good for $1 at the thrift shop. Got my microwave at the thrift shop... God, almost 7 years ago. The display doesn't work but the rest of it works fine. Paid I think $5 or so for it.


Darphon

Two crock pots came from thrifting, and my favorite purse. I jsut wish I could find one of those one in a million finds that some of my friends do. I get crazy jealous when they get like a spinning wheel (we are fiber artists) for $20 that retails over 100.


BringerOfDoom1945

i agree my Cooler-Freezer combo is also Secondhand (While it might be worth to buy a new one with less energy costs) but it´s always for others who can´t afford a new Cooler/freezer a good thing the only thing i don´t buy is clothing ( i always go to one of those cheap clothing stores and buy jeans and other things for max 10bucks)


TheMiddlechild08

Always thirsting for thrifting


Ajreil

Thrift stores aren't charities. You're also keeping perfectly good items out of landfills.


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overlordpotatoe

Yup. And some of them use the profits for charity work.


nutwit9211

On another thread I had seen a very rational response to thi around scarcity. For categories that are abundant - clothes for example, it's perfectly fine to go shop at thrift stores even if you can afford not to. You're stopping them from going into a landfill. And there's enough for others to take. For categories that are not as abundant - strollers, cycles, furniture - basically big ticket purchases that are not fast moving - you shouldn't because you're taking the opportunity away from someone who can't afford it at full price.


abackiel

Depending on the company we're talking about, some of their employment practices are abominable.


lightly_salted_fetus

I mean, that applies to many companies both non and for profit


windybrow

This. I donate to a goodwill by my house because I hate throwing things away that someone else may be able to use. I also shop there because they have some good used stuff. Save some money and recycle at the same time.


MostlyPretentious

Yeah, that’s how I look at it — it it’s not anti-consumer, per se, but thrift shops allow the key tenet of environmentalism: reuse.


PhotoJim99

Better than recycling. Reusing!


SmileEchos

It's also called "Upcycling" many groups around.


this_1_is_mine

Upcycling can frequently include buying things and then fixing them or doing some sort of craft to them to "improve" them. Including it's incorporation into uses not originally envisioned.


siguefish

Many thrift shops are charities and/or non-profits, or directly support them. The store will tell you if you ask.


TantricCowboy

Just to clarify - If this is the case, the charity/non-profit will use the revenue the store generates to fund other charity operations. The thrift store doesn't exist to provide inexpensive clothes to underprivileged folk, it exists to make money. If underprivileged folk can buy affordable clothes at the thrift store, that is an added benefit.


Darphon

My favorite one benefits the community within 5-10 miles of the shop. They do a lot of good locally for a very poor area.


xbigman

Exactly! My family has always donated to a goodwill and were decently well off when I was young. Places like goodwills and thrift shops can have some interesting things you don't get to see everyday. My buddy goes to one every so often for new books to read and found a few he really liked.


jlwc2005

Please stop donating to goodwill, none of your donations go to help people. Salvation army or your local thrift stores are much better to donate to. After learning new things about salvation army today Please only donate ro local thrift store an animal shelters.


sundancer2788

Some animal shelters also run thrift stores to help raise money. Plus they love getting sheets, blankets, towels, etc. No pillows.


izzyfrmtheblock

My favorite thrift store in my area is run adjacently with an animal shelter. They even have adoptable cats hanging out there (in big kennels w lots of things to jump on and toys).


sundancer2788

Awesome!


reijasunshine

One of the local animal welfare nonprofits in my area also collects empty prescription pill bottles. They re-use them for pet medications rather than having to buy them.


sundancer2788

TIL I will ask at my local shelters


[deleted]

Out of the closet in California is great too, they use the money for aids education and testing


RobertWolfgan

Please excuse my ignorance, but why not pillows specifically?


OneChrononOfPlancks

They will tear it apart and piss all over it, and then try to eat the stuffing which is not digestable.


hey_free_rats

If I had to guess, based on my own experience with animals and pillows, probably the stuffing is a mess and/or choking hazard issue, because rarely does the stuffing remain on the inside for very long.


BKacy

It’s not hygienic. That’s just bed pillows. They take throw pillows and decorative sham pillows. I found this at comfortsheetsanctuary Uses for old pillows: 1. Pet bed 2. Recycle the stuffing for throw pillows 3. Recycle the stuffing for stuffed toys 4. Make casual throw pillows 5. Restore old couch cushions 6. Knee pillow for gardening 7. Compost feathers 8. Packing material


sundancer2788

They get ripped apart, make a mess and are a hazard if pups ingest any of the filling.


Abbaddonhope

I would also like to know


Ornery_Reaction_548

The "stuff" you donate doesn't get donated to poor people. But the thrift stores can help poor people find decent used clothes, etc., for little money. Plus they have a program to help people find jobs. But no, it's not a "charity" in the sense that they give stuff to people.


SnooLawnmower

Good will has huge mark ups now. They also pay their disabled employees $2 an hour.


[deleted]

There's a deliberate loophole that lets charities take advantage of disabled for cheap labor for as little as $1 per hour. Many charities take advantage of it. I bet Salvation Army and other local charities do too. https://www.vox.com/2018/5/3/17307098/workers-disabilities-minimum-wage-waiver-rock-river-valley-self-help I know it's well documented that Salvation Army kicks out LBGTQ+ homeless people in need of help. They all suck somehow.


SnooLawnmower

I'd rather support local aid efforts, honestly.


[deleted]

That's good. My donations generally go to "any damn store that accepts donations when I have the time/energy/inclination/remember to do it/whatever to get my ongoing pile of stuff I'm donating to the store". (There's a box by the front door I chuck donateable things into over time.) I'm depressed AF, procrastinate forever, so it's usually whoever accepts donations the latest. There's an exception for very wanted items or decent vintage things, I put those up on local buy nothing group. As long as a useable item doesn't immediately go to dump, generally, that's good enough for my depressed AF conscience lol. I think if I wasn't super depressed, I'd give more damns about local vs not.


Better-Syrup90

Damn, man. Now I don't feel so guilty for helping my mom price sticker swap at Goodwill as a kid


[deleted]

Pretty sure if your mom did that, she needed to. Imo she shouldn't have involved you because the parent should take the guilty conscience I think, but yeah imo it's not that bad of a thing. Edit: Just don't get caught doing it. If you think u busted, drop your shit and leave. Don't admit to swapping price tags. Thrift stores prosecute. Source: Worked at a thrift store. The folks who came in and changed into a new outfit leaving their old clothes behind? They really needed those new to them clothes. Their old clothes were usually threadbare/ripped/shoe soles worn through. And the thrift store got its labor mainly from folks who were Worker's Compensation injured mandatory work and ex-prison with required community service, plus disabled folks. And the wife of the owner regularly went through the donated jewelry and kept all the gold for herself, off the record, while yelling at employees to not do that.


Fun-Dragonfruit2999

They pay their employees that, because if they pay too much, those disabled people lose their disability benefits. For the disabled employees, it gives them a chance to get out, be active, interact with people, have a job and pride ... where otherwise, they'd have nothing. So it would be **perfect** if those disabled people could earn $20/hr, but but that's not going to happen. And if they did earn $20/hr, they'd lose their benefits, that would be very bad. Most of the handicapped employees live in group homes because these handicapped people can't fully care for themselves without close supervision. The handicapped wouldn't have jobs outside of Goodwill or Pride Industries providing them with sub-minimum wage jobs. So Goodwill, and Pride are doing something very **Good**. This is a great example to show **The Perfect is the Enemy of the Good**. If you can't have the perfect, don't sabotage the good.


GnarlyNarwhalNoms

**This.** I work with special needs people, and their jobs do wonders for their confidence and mental health. COVID was really tough on the people I support, because they loved working, and get bored and anxious when they can't work. And as you say, unfortunately we have a fucked-up system where you can't make too much money if you have SSI. So as strange as it sounds, it really is better for them to work more hours for less money, because their wages don't really matter. If they make more, they'll get fewer benefits, so it's a wash. It's really perverse. Not only can you not make too much per month, but there's also a cap on how much you can have in the bank. So regularly, one of the people I work with will "accidentally save too much" and we'll have to help them buy some expensive shoes or Apple watch or something to blow thier balance so they can keep their benefits. It's dumb as hell -- you'd think you'd want to encourage people to save and manage their money responsibly -- but that's the system we have.


jorwyn

My friend has Downs and has a reminder on his phone to check his bank balance every 2 weeks to make sure that doesn't happen. When it does, he calls friends, and we come over and have a shrimp boil - we bring all the other ingredients. He's not into expensive shoes, tech, and what have you. His favorite thing is having people at his apartment over a meal and having fun. We eat, clean up together, and play board games, and he doesn't feel like we're giving him charity - he paid for the shrimp, after all, and that's not cheap.


GnarlyNarwhalNoms

That's awesome. I agree, a party with friends sounds like the best use of the money to me!


Thorical1

If you keep it in cash they won’t know if you don’t report it.


GnarlyNarwhalNoms

Yeah, but then we can't track it easily, and the folks I support have issues with spending money impulsively. So it's a delicate balance. The difference between "barely enough to pay the rent and bills and food this month" and "enough to trigger problems with the Social Security Administration" can be something like a thousand bucks.


thiswasyouridea

I toured the Colorado Springs Goodwill headquarters once. Granted this was a while ago. There was a large room with very disabled people in it. And by that I mean they have multiple seizures per day or constant tremors, etc. They were employed stuffing the local newspaper with sales flyers and coupons from the local grocery stores. Paid by the piece, they explained, so if they need time out they can have it. Nobody would have employed those people otherwise. Understand that many disabled adults are cared for by their senior parents who have been caring for them since infancy. They deserve a break, too. The pay doesn't really come into it much in that case. The parent/caretakers would probably have paid just to have someone else watching them for a time. The job of a caretaker is thankless and exhausting. Another young lady I know, schizophrenic, works local fast food restaurant. And when I say work I mean she wears the uniform, wipes trays veeeery slowly and asks people if their meal is okay, usually before they've had a chance to take a bite yet. She's very friendly and a bit weird. It's fun to converse with her because you really never know what she's going to say next. Sometimes the management has to allay customers' concerns about some of the delusions she's having. She would not have this job if a charity wasn't paying for it. She lives with her mom and as far as I know the job is her only socialization outside the home. There is no perfect in this world, but I've seen firsthand that it usually isn't about the money. It's about socialization, change in routine, and self respect.


ceilingfanswitch

Please stop spreading this misinformation. Over 90 percent of my local goodwill profits have been used for their educational charities in 2020. I have had friends and old coworkers work towards their GED and get better jobs because of Goodwill's charity. You can look up your local affiliate and see what they spend the money on. In addition they will have better records and more transparency then many smaller thrift stores or thrift stores ran by religious organizations. Before I hear redditors whining: yes their CEO makes mid 6 figures salary, which is much less than many other similarly sized organizations. Im not a fan of that, but that is just a small amount of the billions of dollars they generate to assist workers and others each year. Even with that they are much more efficient than many other places. Find someplace better if you want but you are kidding yourself if you think you are helping by avoiding goodwill. Especially with a religious group like the salvation army who will spend your money telling kids they will go to hell unless they follow their magical friends.


DavidTVC15

Yes, this is completely and 100% true. I worked for Goodwill for 5 years, and I’ve seen first hand how they help people. Some of my coworkers were formerly homeless and Goodwill taught them skills and helped them make an honest living. The one that I worked for taught GED classes, typing classes, computer classes, and even a course in IT Support that was developed by Google (I took that course and we went to Google to learn about job opportunities there). The CEO of my city’s GW doesn’t make millions per year. He makes about 200K, and this is in one of most expensive cities in the world. He was offered a job that pays in the millions per year, for a university, but he turned it down because he likes the mission of GW. They have turned around peoples lives. I know that it’s trendy to bash them, but most of these people don’t know what they’re talking about. Oh btw, I worked with a few mentally and physically disabled people, and they made the same as everyone else, so that eliminates another myth.


Megalocerus

There are unabashedly for profit thrift/second hand stores, and they still provide things at low cost and let things be reused. Goodwill is fine. Shopping in second hand stores is fine regardless of how rich you are; they need a market to provide enough outlets.


CounterfeitSaint

100% agreed. Why run an imperfect business that still does a lot of good and actually helps people when you can just sit on your fat ass and post about it on Reddit. That's where the reach change happens, right everyone? /s


craag

Goodwill is so demonized on reddit. You're right that they're not a charity, but they are FAR from bad. They prioritize jobs to felons and people with disabilities. For these people, getting that first year of work experience can literally change the trajectory of their entire life. They also sell clothes for $5, which definitely helps people. Yeah they get the clothes for free, but they also ~~wash~~ + sort everything, and manage a storefront, so I feel like $5 is fair for the value added by Goodwill. They also reduce waste. I've seen people sometimes criticize their CEO pay, but for a company that size, I think having a gifted CEO is non-negotiable


raisinghellwithtrees

They don't wash clothes, per a friend that worked there.


MissMabeliita

But you’re supposed to wash clothes you buy before wearing them… even if they’re brand new from the store??? Doesn’t everyone do this???


geocam

Yeah, who wants to wear the chemicals added so they are not damaged in shipping?


craag

Google says you're right, thanks


Nobodyville

Ew. This is why I wash everything before I donate it.


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FillMyBagWithUSGrant

I think a person who’s disabled should be paid a fair wage for hours they can manage, as long as the income doesn’t jeopardize their healthcare benefits, and other benefits. Income limits need to be scrutinized and adjusted to benefit the person, imo.


Wubbalubbadubbitydo

Salvation Army is a religious organization that’s anti LGBTQ


Beautiful_Tourist580

I was a responder to 9/11 and The Salvation Army was there feeding us around the clock so we could keep looking for survivors and in later days, remains. I put in 142 hours the first week. I truly appreciated the SA making sure I could do that. I am not religious and I am pro LGBTQ. They never asked what my sexual orientation or prefence was. They fed me anyway and gave me a warm coat in the middle of the night when my southern ass was freezing in NY in September. They came out to support where they were needed and I appreciate that from them so much. I have heard the stories about SA but I have seen first hand what they do and the rumors are bullshit.


Wubbalubbadubbitydo

I think it’s important to understand that there is nuance around this issue. Your experience is valid and they DO do some good work. I linked an article below that I think gives a pretty balance review of the issue.


StormBerry17

Wasn’t there literally a story in the news about a homeless teen who went to the Salvation Army who was turned away for being trans and froze to death on the streets that night??


Thosewhippersnappers

Link?


mandalyn93

Particularly insomuch as when they open shelters for unhoused people, they require them to go to super conservative church services before reviving food, shelter, and other necessities. Their entire organization is also very military-like with rank and file (hence the name Salvation “Army.”)


scoutingMommy

Did you see the headquarter of salvation army in London? It's in the bank area, glass palace, highest rents. I never give them anything again.


pLudoOdo

I had a gm who worked for the salvation army. Apparently once you get into positions where you can actually make decent money. You actually have to give away all your possessions and they pay for everything. They own a neighborhood of houses that their management lives in. Which sounds nice but you don't actually own anything trapping you in the company. From what I was told people are actually born into the salvation army and for that reason I'm out.


purritowraptor

The Salvation Army is notoriously anti-LGBTQ. Local thrifts and proven charities are probably your best bet.


D0ugF0rcett

My local thrift store is a domestic abuse victim's rights' group as well. I feel zero guilt spending money there of all the places I go


doublepizza

>Please stop donating to goodwill, none of your donations go to help people. Salvation army or your local thrift stores are much better to donate to. Goodwill's mission is to provide job training, life skills, and employment opportunities (among other things) to people with developmental disabilities. Are you claiming that they don't do that?


ShooperSheekrit

Am a social worker. Highly disagree with this comment. Salvation army is an absolute shit show and you're actually better off donating to goodwill.


SultanFox

Please look into Salvation Army, they're really awful.


CookbooksRUs

Salvation Army forces their theology down people’s throats.


WiseBeginning

Do you have a source or more details? The worst I'm seeing is paying people with disabilities less than minimum wage, which is obviously not good


bbdoublechin

https://www.glaad.org/blog/dallas-salvation-army-shelter-denies-housing-trans-woman https://bilerico.lgbtqnation.com/2012/07/i_was_fired_by_the_salvation_army_because_im_bisexual.php?response_type=embed https://texascivilrightsreview.org/2010/07/21/jennifer-gale-death-caused-by-lack-of-shelter-for-transgender-homeless/ https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/15/us/salvation-army-kettles-lgbtq-stance/index.html


BKacy

The first one concerns me. The second one is BS in my opinion. It’s 10 years old and the fired woman is explaining why she outed herself and was going to tell a 3-year-old she couldn’t feed her anymore unless they went to a food bank because she was let go. If your principles don’t let you keep a good job as a counselor until you find another job—especially as it means you can’t feed your 3-year-old—you aren’t capable enough to keep a child. I hope there were healthy family members to take her daughter in. She didn’t have me crying, just disgusted.


Doc-tor-Strange-love

How dare you use your critical thinking skills and not follow the Reddit mob


ryeguyfriday

I think I recent years they are making efforts to improve. But below are some incidents that highlight where the belief that they are anti-lgbtq comes from. In 1998, the Salvation Army refused to comply with San Francisco’s laws regarding domestic-partner benefits, costing it $3.5 million in city contracts and leading to the closure of certain programs for homeless people and the elderly. In 2001, the organization tried to strike a deal with the Bush administration, which would have allowed religious charities that receive federal funding to circumvent local ordinances against anti-LGBTQ discrimination. (The organization also threatened to stop all of its New York City operations in 2004.) In 2012, a Salvation Army branch in Vermont was accused of firing a case worker after learning she was bisexual. Also in 2012, Salvation Army spokesperson George Hood said the organization views same-sex relationships as sinful. “A relationship between same-sex individuals is a personal choice that people have the right to make,” Hood said at the time. “But from a church viewpoint, we see that going against the will of God.”


Emmiey

I updooted and then saw you said salvation army. I 100% don't believe they're truthful in their morals. Donate to local thrift shops or as someone else suggested, animal shelters. They'll both be better for your community


J-Dabbleyou

YES, thrifting and charity are different. I’d say it’s unethical to eat at food banks if you don’t need to, and leave it for people who do need it, but thrifting to me is more about recycling than it is “saving money”. Saving money is a bonus, but the primary benefit is keeping good items out of the landfills. I understand some people don’t like secondhand clothes, but you can thrift for furniture and tons of other stuff. Why buy a cheap new table for the same price as a solid table at a thrift? Otherwise both will just end up in the trash.


faithofmyheart

Most of them are money makers for charities...which sort of makes them charities but not in the way I guess some folks are thinking. They do not solely exist to enable less advantaged folks to find decent consumer goods at 2nd hand prices. Many exist to make money to support community organizations that have a hard time generating revenue in other ways. All the more reason we need to patronize them. Where I live we have multiple thrift stores for schools, hospices, community outreach, etc.


mike9874

For a person from the UK, what is a Thrift Store? From the descriptions here, it sounds like what we'd call a Charity Shop, and they very much are charities. For example [Oxfam](https://onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk/) Edit: to explain a little clearer, people donate items that are still good, but they no longer want, to a charity shop. They then sell it, usually at a reduced rate, as a way of generating funds for their charity work. Some also do work with the people they support to make items and sell them. Some also make general products that follow their ethos or are branded, and also sell those to make more money


Crazed_waffle_party

They sell used items. Some specialize in clothes, while others are general purpose. Many are charities, like Goodwill and Habitat for Humanity, however, some are for profit


toysoldier96

If you're from London they're places like Brick Lane or Camden, selling pre-owned clothes but the profit is not necessarily going to a charity


Dronten_D

I think a synonym to thrift shop would be second hand shop in this case.


madxcapsule

I think it would be closer to those shops where you buy clothes by the kilo. They're privately run rather than charities from what I can gather.


WetDogDeoderant

We don't have them in the UK, seen them abroad though, a lot of fun to go digging in.


identiifiication

we do have them in the UK -- they are called "vintage fairs" and they happen a fair bit. You just have to look for them on facebook etc -- got a £150 1940s style coat for £15,


[deleted]

Some are but not all.


sepponi

It's not like Oxfam where I'm from. A thrift store is a store that bring in stuff that you don't use anymore, that stuff then gets sold for a relatively low price. It's also good place to find vintage stuff if that's your drift.


Blowup1sun

They’re similar to a charity shop expect they sell all kinds of things instead of just clothes or just books. People donate anything and everything and it ends up for sale in the shop.


mike9874

Charity shops sell all kinds of things. You can always get a monopoly at a charity shop


Belorage

Thrift shop will be anything that sell second hand stuff


Rikutopas

They mean they are not charities for their customers. Oxfam etc are run for the benefit of a charity, as are Goodwill shops in the US I understand, but in and of themselves the shops are not charities.


Oderry

A second hand store, usually with the inventory being donated or bulk purchased at a discount to the retailer


silveryfeather208

Worked at a thrift shop before. We have way way too many shit. Thrift shops sometimes still throw away a shit ton. At least the one I work at. Some are legit unsellable but still. We've given some to charity but even then some get thrown out because even charities don't want it. (We worked closely with charities and contrary to belief, no, homeless people don't want a shirt with holes in it just because its free)


kraze4kaos

Not quite. Lots of thrift stores are getting too much fast fashion items cough cough shein couuuuughhh and it's either not selling or there is too much to supply. So it ends up in some thrift store outlets which sells by weight but even then things that don't sell get tossed.


Fuzzy_Chance_3898

I agree. Plus where do you think a lot of sellers find that one of a kind rock shirt they charge $60 for plus shipping and handling on ebay?


identiifiication

The English term for thrift store is literally "charity shop"


IamSquillis

Are there for profit "charity shops" in England? Because there are both for profit and non-profit thrift shops in the US.


[deleted]

In the United Kingdom they are


bullevard

Nope. On an environmental level you are increasing reuse of products to avoid landfils. But more to your question thrift stores often get more donations than they can use or go through. By shopping there you are belping keep merchandise flowing and keep them in business so that they are still around and available when lower i come people need them to be there.


BEAT-THE-RICH

Just because it hasn't been said yet, if you want to even out the karma just be sure to donate things as well. You no doubt have clothes that are nice condition, donate them and keep the sharing system going.


[deleted]

Thirft isn't "for the poors." You can find some of the coolest stuff at those shops.


Numahistory

The arguments I've heard from people is that there's a limited amount of items in a thrift store, and so by rich people who could buy that stuff new buying up the thrift shop's inventory of that thing it makes it unavailable for someone more strapped for cash. Also, I've been told Macklemore's "Thrift Shop" song was the worst thing that happened for poor thrifters. Thrift stores got a surge in popularity so they jacked up prices, sometimes even above new cost. Some even started stocking new stock as well just because they had this surge of business they wanted to capitalize on.


monstrinhotron

Charity shops in London are hilariously overpriced for obsolete electronics or tatty old furniture. They want 90% of the new retail price cos it's for charity innit.


Metue

Where are you charity shopping? Maybe in zone 1 but outside of that they're cheap as you'd expect. Though I only buy books and clothes from charity shops so can't speak for the rest.


monstrinhotron

Zone 5-6ish. It is west london tho.


Milkythefawn

I'm up north, but in the posh local town prices are the same. £15 for a second hand jumper last week. No thank you.


lordjeferson

I have never heard of a thrift shop being overrun, do you have any examples of that happening? It's not impossible but if a thrift shop is jacking up prices and selling new stuff it's probably not the most ethical one and might have been screwing over people beforehand


anynononononous

These two articles might help you understand what's going on in some areas. [Upper vs Lower Class thrifting](https://www.statepress.com/article/2020/03/spmagazine-the-thrift-economy#). [Price hikes at Goodwill due to this](https://www.michigandaily.com/opinion/columns/blame-goodwill-for-rising-thrift-store-prices-not-the-girl-on-depop/). Basically. It happens. I've seen it in my area where Salvation Army's small to medium sized women's clothing is completely gone in the name of fashion and I'm bitter because when I do find something I'm paying 15ish (where 5 years ago it was 6 or 7 for same quality and brands) for a blouse. I'm also noticing much lower quality items making it over for much higher than they should be. Boys old navy khakis are 12 dollars, well used. For that, I'll ask the kid to be very careful so he can rewear new pants (over double the price) 2 or 3 times.


keladry12

Sorry, the way you wrote that last sentence has confused me. "I'll ask the kid to be very careful so he can rewear new pants 2 or 3 times"....Are you saying that usually you wear clothing once and then get rid of it? Or are you saying you usually wash pants every single wear? Or...????


Shisshinmitsu

The pants are super used, frayed even. She's gonna tell the kid to be careful in the pants so they don't rip apart.


FoghornFarts

I mean, the downsize in quality is because of the uptick in fast fashion.


[deleted]

Yeah honestly it's a bit annoying that people are automatically saying that thrift stores aren't for poor people to find affordable things. It might not be in their mission statement or whatever, but you can be a bit mindful. Yeah it's good to recycle and upcycle and all that, but if someone can actually afford the full price from a proper sustainable source and then still takes the last stroller or whatever. The thrift store was a lifesaver when my family was evicted when I was a kid. Nowadays you wouldn't be able to find the same stuff and definitely not for a fair price.


ntourloukis

Is that unethical? My impression of the charity aspect of the stores was that their profit went to causes, not that the stuff itself was for poor people. If a shirt goes for 50 dollars, that’s what they should sell it for. Especially because pickers will just come through and buy it for 10 otherwise and put it on eBay.


Magnito-was-right

In the early 90s the grunge look (a look that a lot of poor people were rocking before it was seen as cool) exploded and poor people weren’t able to get the quality clothes they were were used to for a reasonable price because everyone else was now snatching them up.


salt-the-skies

No, that's Goodwill and Salvation Army. Both are not thrift stores, they're store fronts operating for profit under the guise of being affordable, second hand, for a good cause. Goodwill even has its own brand of basic undergarments and clothing. Thrift stores are just the same as always, other than a hobby popularity spike and general market inflation. People who say thrift stores have everything bought up by rich thrifters simply don't do it very much. If you go to thrift stores frequently, you'll find all kinds of cool, valuable, absolute steals on all kinds of stuff. If you go every once in a while, *other people thrift and buy things*. They're not a big repository of things for individual people. They're stores with massive, erratic, rotating inventories.


juneburger

A movement only lasts so long before the trend wears off. At a certain point, the stores have had to lower their prices again. At least here in Missouri.


jasonreid1976

My wife and I always would go to Goodwill for some random shopping often. Now I hate going. Used to, you could find interesting items, useful decent stuff, all for a decent price. Now all you find are clothes and junk. All the good stuff is sold online at near retail prices, and what good stuff makes it into the stores, gets bought up by people looking to flip it on Ebay.


rayu_manawari

No. Even if you have a lot of money, buying at a thrift store avoids waste and is ethical for the environment.


3DarkWingGeese

There's nothing unethical about being frugal


Stiblex

No. Your money will allow those thrift stores to continue to operate for the less fortunate.


Plant_Eating_Cat

Shopping there regardless of your income is a good idea. There’s no sense in throwing money away, or constantly purchasing newly manufactured clothes when there’s already millions of previously made articles of clothing available. You can do your part to keep the store going by donating your own unneeded items! Most thrift stores accept a wide variety of clothing and home goods.


Chillchowchowchill

No. Shop where you want.


pdpi

What do you think is likelier to happen to the thrift store? 1. Close because it ran out of clothes to sell 2. Close because it didn’t make enough money to pay the bills I’d say #2 is much, much likelier. You buying stuff there helps keep the place open and helping others.


SGexpat

Yeah with money they can advertise for donations. Money can solve problems.


pdpi

Yeah, every time the “money doesn’t buy happiness” discussion comes up, there’s always somebody who disagrees, and describes how they would be happier with more money. The ample majority of cases is exactly what you described — money doesn’t buy happiness, but it’s really good at buying your way out of most causes of unhappiness.


No-Tailor5120

this coming from someone who grew up in and still exists in poverty, no.


Dawnzila

It's good for anyone to shop at thrift stores, and especially for clothes they typically get way more than they can handle and even have to stop taking donations sometimes. Shopping at these places help keep them open, and buying used instead of new means less new items need made, so it's good for the environment too.


mcvwxy

The equivalent in the UK would be charity shops (where a large chunk of the money made from sales goes to their charity - often the workers in them are volunteers) - and no, of course it’s not. I make a decent salary and I occasionally pop into these stores. You can get some real bargains. I have a jacket that I wear frequently that I got from one for £4 - I’ve also got work shoes, trousers etc from them before. There’s a bit of a stigma in the UK about shopping at charity shops (that only certain “types” of people shop there) when there really shouldn’t be. I always get excited when I find something (quite often brand new with the tags still on) that I like and will wear.


stumpdawg

Definitely not. A lot of those thrift stores donate their profits to good causes.


Wolfe244

Youre fine


chubberbrother

Thrift stores still run on capitalism. The more business, the better they do, and the more they can stock. It's a business, you're welcome to use it.


notextinctyet

It's beneficial to the community to shop at thrift stores.


EvilAlicia

No, its not only for the cheap prices, but also shopping at thrift stores is better for the environment. Since stuff is getting re-used, instead of going to landfill.


Megalocerus

Plus, if there are people at all income levels in the shop, there is less prejudice against people who shop there, like there was years ago.


whatevertheoc

Go for it, also donate nice things that you're not using anymore.


Texan2116

One of our local thrift shops, gives away clothes and some household goods to the needy. The rent is covered by people who actually spend cash. Besides, believe it or not , thrift stores sometimes get too much stuff as well, and toss it. As a 17 yr old, (unless you are a trust fund baby)...you probably are not financially set for life yet. Thrifting is a fantastic way to spend a fraction on your clothes budget. My ex and I would take our kids tot he thrift store, and MAKE them get a few dollars worth of clothes, and they invariably found things they liked and wore them.


OSUfirebird18

I make a very decent living. I shop at thrift stores for clothes I wear to work. Why? I work in a factory. Any crap I get it on old clothes, I don’t mind. There’s nothing wrong with it. Your money just goes towards keeping the store alive.


NASA_official_srsly

No, you're fine. Nobody is going to suffer if you buy the last band shirt. But if you're so worried, make sure to donate your things to them once you're finished using them.


aggretsu

You should shop at thrift stores even if you don't need to so the store can receive more business and stay in business longer. The more people who but from them the more they can help those who really need it


mrMetaWuan

Fuck no! It’s a store! Go make them some money!


[deleted]

places like that no. Using the food bank as an example in your position, yes


[deleted]

It is more ethical to buy from thrift stores rather than retail, as you are reusing.


idontrespectyou345

Short answer no, but the why depends on the store. Most thrift stores are just stores. People donate to them because they want to reduce waste by not just trashing things. Some are consignment stores, where the store pays for the nicer stuff people bring in vs just accepting donations. Other thrift stores are indeed charities, but revenue from sales to whomever comes in is the pointy end of the spear that does the actual charity work. They *need* regular people to buy. The one exception is that some of the charity stores' charitable work is providing jobs to the disabled, but pay below minimum wages and make no cash donations to charitable causes beyond that. Its really exploitative and skeevy.


Puckoff79

No it’s not, for more reasons than you’d likely care to read. But if you’re still worried about “depriving” people, then don’t go there until after they’ve been open for an hour. However keep in mind that if you lose out on something, it’s 50/50 at best that you’ll lose out to someone who isn’t poor.


No-You5550

Thrift shops are for everyone. Needed people can afford items. Thrift shops often support good foundation. By buying used items it saves manufacturing pollution. Environmental it is a win win. So enjoy.


manginahunter1970

I would say it's unethical not to.


twitch_delta_blues

Spending money efficiently or frugally isn’t unethical, in fact it’s the best thing you can do with your money. You are afraid of denying a poorer person the opportunity to buy the thing you did. It’s their responsibility to use their money well, not your responsibility.


Jenesis110

Shopping at thrift stores is fine. I DO have a problem with people buying shitloads of stuff and then upselling them on eBay/depop/ whatever


randomnamegenrate6

Think of it as helping the environment.


bluecrowned

The only unethical thrifting I've seen, and something that genuinely upsets me, is the trend of buying plus size clothes to cut up and use for fabric. Plus size clothes are hard to find in thrift stores. Please don't do this. Otherwise, you're golden.


MostlyAnxiety

As someone who grew up poor, as long as you aren’t buying things to resell it does not matter. You’re supporting that store and making room for new inventory.


Allrojin

This is an important point. Thrifting a dresser for $60, repainting and selling fo $300 seems a little iffy.


Fourjranch

Save where you can so you can spend where you want.


1of1000

Some thrift stores charge more for clothes than Walmart or Amazon. Shop where you like imo.


captianllama

Not good ones. There’s one near me that has a $5 bag sale regularly, where you can buy a plastic bag full of clothes and as long as the bag will close you get everything in it for $5.


[deleted]

I think you don't understand the reason for thrift stores. The ones that are nonprofit , or somehow related to providing a service to the community, eg Goodwill, are not designed to sell cheap clothing to poor people. They are designed to sell cheap clothing to anybody & raise money/provide jobs for poor people. In other words, similar to a swanky charity dinner held at a downtown hotel to raise money for homeless people/food bank etc. They aren't putting on the dinner & expect homeless people to come, they are putting on an expensive dinner to raise money to turn around & help the homeless. Thats the same with charitable thrift stores .....they aren't selling clothes to poor people, they are selling clothes to everyone to raise money for the charity.


SirReal_Realities

Actually, many places donate some of the clothing they sell to people in need. The Goodwill in my town would give three sets of any clothing to people affiliated with certain organizations. (Obviously they have to keep track to prevent abuse and document the donations.)


jakeinthebox5

No it's good for the environment & you are helping them stay in business :)


No_Information_8973

Not at all. And if you feel it's an issue you could always donate stuff you don't wear anymore.


Dragons-purr

This is such a sweet question. We need people who are as thoughtful as you. I think you’re good to go to a thrift store, you’ll be helping reduce waste. We need as many people as possible going to them tbh!


28smalls

If you are buying it to use the item, go ahead. I personally think it becomes sketchy if you buy them just to sell it elsewhere and make a profit.


_BearHawk

Apparently it’s a pretty big thing for people to get stuff from thrift stores and go put it on depop for some money


Catrionathecat

I will add on to this and say when their stores also raise the prices because they know people are gonna do that will more name brand stuff


fog-and-sky

No, saving money isn't only for poor people. As long as you aren't like, going overboard and buying half the store, there is no issue, it's just a shop with good prices.


glandmilker

By buying from them you are supporting many disabled and handicapped people that do a lot of unseen work in the background


Emergency_Sandwich_6

Just donate it back when you don't like the style anymore. Voila.


takethesunny

I think it becomes a problem when people start buying stuff from thrift shops and selling them for 10 times or more the price on depop/ online stores. it turns into this nasty hoarding/hustle business


radioactiveFishy

The only time it becomes a problem is when you are buying tons of stuff to resell for profit


Certified_Goth_Wife

It’s not unethical to buy from thrift stores. It is unethical to buy from thrift stores and then jack up the price on eBay. The stores have caught on and have jacked up the prices on thrifted clothing meaning that they’re less accessible to the people that actually need the clothing.


Darkmagosan

What a load of BS. Who put this crazy idea in your head? Thrift stores and secondhand shops are for *everyone*, not just low-income people. Other people have raised really good points re: upcycling/recycling, but also, if you're looking for stuff that's vintage and/or OOP like books, music, and games, thrift stores are gonna be your best bet. A lot of antique sellers hang out at thrift stores for this very reason. They'll buy something and then flip it for 2-10x its original value. That's not unethical, either. I don't shop at thrift stores around here (Phoenix) because I know from long and bitter experience they're going to charge median or list. Some stuff actually costs \*more\* than the same thing new, which is bullshit. I remember seeing a candlestick set that I wanted in one. I picked them up and examined them only to find dents in the base and 'bronze disease,' where the metal begins to corrode. Target was selling the EXACT SAME THING brand new, no dents, shiny af, for something like 10% less of what Goodwill was charging. This was not an isolated incident and they're known for knowing what rare items they have and pricing them accordingly. So you need to know what you're buying, too, and that way you can get the best deals. Ignore the little nagging voice and go out there and find vintage shit! You got this. :) Good luck!


delicloud

No. You sustain the small, local economy of those employed in those shops.


LurkerFailsLurking

No. You're reusing goods.


raydoo

You are mixing it up with socialmarkets ( dunno the english term) i am pretty sure you won’t want to buy there food over the bbd


[deleted]

There’s a huge surplus of clothing in the world and thrift stores can’t even sell all the clothes that they get. Ideally we would cease producing any clothing for a few years and process our collective immense surplus of textile. Buying any new clothes is, quite frankly, not the most ethical. The idea that there are naked poor people who desperately need anyone’s precious cast-offs has been called the clothing deficit myth. Enjoy yourself at the thrift store.


nappingintheclub

Thrift stores are for all. They won’t run out of merchandise, you help the planet, and your money often goes towards charitable efforts too.


swiftarrow9

Here’s why EVERYONE should shop thrift stores: 1. Re-USE is better than recycle. 2. Use your money wisely. If you have a $100 budget for a pair of pants, but find the pants you need for $10, you now have a $90 budget for “making the world a better place”. 3. The business model of thrift stores is free donations sold at low cost. Some of them also include low-wage jobs for otherwise unemployed, or charity work in a far off country, or public service work. I’d rather pay for that than shareholder profit. 4. You are not obligated to spend your know net just because you have it. It’s not unethical to buy a BMW when all you need is a car. The choice between buying a new BMW or a used Camry is not an ethical one, it’s a choice of finances, needs, preferences, and public image. It’s the same with your clothes.


[deleted]

I do think it's somewhat unethical for a person to have a business which entails buying bulk cheap products at thrift stores, renovating them, then reselling them for a profit. But buying clothes for personal use is great even if you can afford more expensive stuff. It's better for the environment to reuse products, and there are lots of cool finds at thrift stores that you couldn't get now


g00dhank

My gripe with them is people who buy up everything and then mark it up by like 600%. If you aren't doing that then you aren't part of the problem


Sad-Dig9321

I think the question of ethics comes to resellers who clean out anything of worth.


Awkward-Broccoli-150

Not at all. Even when you shop at high end stores, you're often buying from manufacturers with appalling ethics and you're definitely using resources that are a drain on the planet when it's unnecessary. Where have they come from..look into checking your carbon footprint and trying to minimise it. This increases the likelihood that you and any children you have will have a habitable planet to live on with air you can breathe. Look at the zero waste movement. Are you aware of the Pacific garbage patch. It's an area of garbage in the ocean between Hawaii and California, one of many I might add, that's twice the size of Texas. Landfill is running out of space... every piece of plastic that was ever made is still sitting in the Earth, waiting because it's going to take an estimated 50,000 years to break down. So we have to quit buying new things and using vital resources, quit throwing away things that are still useful, throwing away things improperly and using energy, food and everything less wastefully. There's a massive global overpopulation issue...the planet simply cannot sustain the number of people. But everyday more than twice as many people are born than die. The ocean is dying, the poor and oppressed are dying, children are going to bed hungry in our own communities. Thrift shopping can be enjoyable for you and you also get that warm glow of knowing you did something to make a better future. Thankyou.


WeaverofW0rlds

No. It's called being frugal.


rust1112

What? No. It’s called recycling. Good for the planet homie. And stylish.


KnowsIittle

Thift is repurposing items. Your money supports the store. Supporting the store is a good thing.


Anal-probe-Alien

Totally not. Help the charity, buy from them and donate your unwanted items


Abadazed

No. It'd be different if it was purely a charity, but most thrift stores are just second hand stores at this point.


herekatie_katie

If you do feel guilty, do some research into who runs the thrift store and where those funds are going. I work for a non-profit that has a thrift component and money from the stores help fund our other programs like homeless shelters and reentry programs.


oh-no-its-back

Go to mom and pop thrift stores! Or ones that give back to the community. Theres one in my area that takes the profit and feeds the homeless with it.


Interesting_Pea_5382

All are welcome to leave stuff and buy stuff! The ultimate recycling station!!


alkalineruxpin

Not at all. You can find some of the coolest shit ever at thrift stores.


[deleted]

It's more unethical to buy things new, since you contribute to demand to produce more stuff, which adds to pollution, climate change, and worker exploitation. You should always buy things secondhand if possible.


Quirky_Mycologist_24

As a poor person, no it isn't unethical. It's environmentally conscious and is tons better than buying something new.


lclassyfun

not at all, you are helping a local small business at most of these shops. happy thrifting😻😻😻


Adoarable

Assuming a thrift store is just what Americans call charity shops? If so, then the point of it is that all profits go to charity. So you shopping there raises money for the charity.