tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post5180562379602307497..comments2024-03-28T03:40:29.423-04:00Comments on Passage des Perles: Thrifters and pickers: A dilemmaDuchessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-727682025338958182011-05-04T17:43:06.877-04:002011-05-04T17:43:06.877-04:00Alienne: Perhaps he'd heard you playing? My so...Alienne: Perhaps he'd heard you playing? My sons were happy to know that their bedroom furniture would be staying on the street, sold to neighbours for a very modest price.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-76421549055548945072011-05-04T17:25:53.485-04:002011-05-04T17:25:53.485-04:00A lot of our charity shops are quite clued up as t...A lot of our charity shops are quite clued up as to what is quality or valuable and what isn't so they are not so likely to get ripped off by dealers as they used to.<br /><br />I have been using freecycle recently to clear some stuff out and it is nice to see the people who take the stuff and know why they want it. I also had a good laugh watching from my bedroom window as the man who collected my very ancient upright piano wheeled it down the hill to his house - just 100 yards away!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-90587448278491555202011-05-04T09:09:36.530-04:002011-05-04T09:09:36.530-04:00mardel: The purge happened in waves: a first of ob...mardel: The purge happened in waves: a first of obvious things, a second stage of getting rid of vastly more.<br /> <br />Delightful to see the men scoring your husband's things.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-42147014127433429602011-05-04T09:02:22.343-04:002011-05-04T09:02:22.343-04:00I know that Goodwill or the Salvation Army make mo...I know that Goodwill or the Salvation Army make money on the stuff the pickers pick, but sometimes it bothers me as well. It happens more at the local Goodwill, and I've seen more of my stuff on the street if I take it to the Salvation Army (which is 20 minutes closer to me anyway) so that tends to be my inclination. There are several older gentlemen of very little means who make a morning of it the day the stuff is put out, and I've seen them happily taking a few of my spouses things out of the store.<br /><br />Otherwise I have sold stuff, but it takes a lot of time and effort, and I've used consignments. At this point I am just happy to be rid of it. This decluttering makes for incredibly light spirits and I keep finding more and more that I don't need to hang on to.<br /><br />I've freecycled a lot of household stuff, and fabrics to the quilters too. I love Freecycle, and the idea that something of mine is going directly to someone who wants/needs it. I live in a very small rural neighborhood, so putting things out on the street doesn't work, but it did when I was in town.Mardelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04850551308931710502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-78151599626326666382011-05-04T09:01:12.280-04:002011-05-04T09:01:12.280-04:00Alexandra: Yes, the charity makes money no matter ...Alexandra: Yes, the charity makes money no matter who buys it. However, I hoped the goal of the charity is to make money and at the same time, provide goods to people looking for used goods, not primarily to serve as a supplier to other stores.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-49509024376443393632011-05-04T08:59:04.754-04:002011-05-04T08:59:04.754-04:00s.: What is thrown out is often dirty, damaged etc...s.: What is thrown out is often dirty, damaged etc. Some charities (Goodwill is one) bundle and sell bulk lots to recyclers; the clothes then are sold in developing countries. (The NYT Sunday Magazine did a fascinating piece on this several years ago, tracking one donated t-shirt to Africa.)<br /><br />Sewing Librarian: Curbside donation has resulted in things being taken within the day- sometimes within a few minutes! Recently a Canada Post truck stopped to pick up something.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-90627852189288941712011-05-04T08:33:01.738-04:002011-05-04T08:33:01.738-04:00ONEWEIRDWORD: That's so funny; I drop all my i...ONEWEIRDWORD: That's so funny; I drop all my items at the Goodwill or Sally Ann on St. Clair West! Maybe you've sifted through some of my dontions.<br /><br />DUCHESSE: Yes, I feel quite ill when I drop off items and know that the many of them will be "picked" instead of reaching the hands of the students and the working poor I would love to see get them. However, I've had a few friends who worked at these thrift stores and they all tell me that at least half of all donations end up in the dumpster; the stores just aren't big enough to hold everything that is donated. So, I convince myself that the "picking" is good as it allows the stores to make easy money on the higher-end items and throw out a bit less.s.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04741062569246094417noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-91461662467831177722011-05-04T00:47:14.668-04:002011-05-04T00:47:14.668-04:00It would annoy me to have my stuff picked, too. Ye...It would annoy me to have my stuff picked, too. Yes, it's fine that Goodwill makes money from the picker, but, like you, I like to think of someone poor (or at least not wealthy) getting something nice for a good price at Goodwill.<br />I often set out things that are too big for the trash and not "good enough" to call the Salvation Army for. Everything has been taken by the end of the day. Who knows where it goes?? I hope someone gets some good out of the stuff.SewingLibrarianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09884510117234994583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-83249751248106757962011-05-03T18:59:36.446-04:002011-05-03T18:59:36.446-04:00Tiffany: That must be fascinating; I've been l...Tiffany: That must be fascinating; I've been looking for people wearing my stuff since started heaving bags at the place a month ago. So far only one man in one of my scarves- quite strange.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-48696482221330617222011-05-03T18:24:53.382-04:002011-05-03T18:24:53.382-04:00Lots of good thrift shops near where I live, but t...Lots of good thrift shops near where I live, but they now hardly ever have any nice clothes, due to the 'pickers' going through, and those that are left are quite expensive by thrift store standards. I give all clean, wearable clothing to charity - and I've seen people wearing my stuff :)Tiffanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11536212906241844509noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-16611845220210109072011-05-03T18:11:29.822-04:002011-05-03T18:11:29.822-04:00Eileen: No; the stuff was picked in the sorting ro...Eileen: No; the stuff was picked in the sorting room. Doesn't matter if they pick up or people took it there.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-88997406484295290052011-05-03T18:10:16.919-04:002011-05-03T18:10:16.919-04:00Anon: A local church has a well-known annual sale ...Anon: A local church has a well-known annual sale that is 'fancier' than a rummage sale. They have appraisers value items such as those you described and price them. All proceeds go to the church's programs, which, though I am not a member, I support. <br /><br />I've also given a few antiques, unwanted by my sons, to friends who wanted them.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-32817270464326756042011-05-03T18:09:54.842-04:002011-05-03T18:09:54.842-04:00If you take the items directly to the Goodwill or ...If you take the items directly to the Goodwill or Value Village does this avert the picking? I was under the impression that this only happened if the bags were picked up by the charity. EileenAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-7909295888215846652011-05-03T17:56:59.513-04:002011-05-03T17:56:59.513-04:00What is your plan for the items other then clothin...What is your plan for the items other then clothing that is "good" but not good enough to pass down to the children or grandchildren? For example, a lovely silver condiment/bread basket. Are you sending these things to consignment? I have no trouble getting rid of lots of things and keeping the cherished or wonderful things but the ....nice...things in the middle puzzel me. <br />Anon on TuedayAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-40943155149193952162011-05-03T17:38:27.718-04:002011-05-03T17:38:27.718-04:00Susan: Good idea but have no time to pack and ship...Susan: Good idea but have no time to pack and ship the many items. Maybe I'll do that in the future.<br /><br />No doubt I've purged a few things I'll miss later, but by now am kind of punchy: out, out, out.<br /><br />Jean S.: I guess that business is fair (and does sound like major work). I'm still struggling through my perhaps Pollyanna-ish wish that someone who could not afford the garment gets a find. I know how I've felt to find something great. <br /><br />Scooping the good stuff before it hits the floor, or phoning friends who leap on it by prearrangement (to protect the spotter) is a fairly common practice.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-67033767453973757252011-05-03T17:12:51.573-04:002011-05-03T17:12:51.573-04:00I know someone who has a thriving ebay business wi...I know someone who has a thriving ebay business with used clothes--she regularly makes sweeps of Goodwill and Value Village and then meticulously cleans and preps the clothes before posting them. She also mends if needed. <br /><br />I don't have a problem with that, given how time-consuming a process it is.<br /><br />I do have a problem with someone "skimming" the Goodwill goods before they go out on the floor, though.Jean Snoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-82511180831404143212011-05-03T16:59:06.559-04:002011-05-03T16:59:06.559-04:00Good for you, making progress on purging and sorti...Good for you, making progress on purging and sorting.<br /><br />We've tried that same thing, of putting quality items at the curb that get picked up within 10 minutes. I love that!<br /><br />I had no idea that "vendors" pre-pick through donated items for higher end boutiques. In that case maybe you could offer the nicer pieces for sale to your readers.Susan Tinerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11900811284963063686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-67747549484844572922011-05-03T15:53:20.075-04:002011-05-03T15:53:20.075-04:00LPC: It is a greater pleasure than I ever anticipa...LPC: It is a greater pleasure than I ever anticipated.<br /><br />OneWeird: Those are some finds, and I'm so happy they made it on the racks.<br /><br />Susan: I think men can dress especially well from thrifts as the items do not date so rapidly.<br /><br />Murphy: That's right, the charities still get their price. Maybe I should look at it as the cup half full, two entities make money.<br /><br />Northmoon: Yes, I do have to let go. But grrr, when the stuff gets picked without even hitting the floor so 'ordinary people' have a chance at it, I don't like it.<br /><br />Belle: I sold just one thing on eBay, a lot of dozens of Hermes boxes. I had dinner last night with a friend, a glamourous woman who told me she buys all her clothes second hand, and she's one of the best-dressed women you'd ever want to know. Being a small size helps, though.<br /><br />Frugal: I don't have the time to list, pack and ship; I'm spending the few days left seeing friends and managing the move. <br /><br />Couture Vintage: While I have not seen the owner, I have seen their staff there. (Lived in this city 31 years and know them by face and sometimes by name.) The pick and resell to consignment thing also happens but I know exactly who picked my stuff. The girl was likely acting against policy, a broke and resourceful 18 year old.<br /><br />Rubi: Was offered $30 for my suede and alligator Prada heels by a high end consignment store owner; sold them on eBay for $130.<br /><br />rb: Had one of those delivery requests too, and was stunned. Love looking at consignment stores, but as a 14-16, not many things there for me.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-63287713212389094262011-05-03T13:28:12.798-04:002011-05-03T13:28:12.798-04:00I don't thrift shop but I do thrift donate a l...I don't thrift shop but I do thrift donate a lot, and pretty good stuff, too. I don't think I would mind if I saw items I gave to Goodwill at a boutique/vintage shop. Why? Because I know Goodwill is going to sell my items and support their charities with the proceeds. If I had wanted to spend the time and effort selling the item myself (such as on ebay) I would have done so, but I didn't. <br /><br />I also put things out on the curb for giveaway - not clothing, but household items, books, etc. They are usually gone by dusk. And I do use craigstlist free, too. I have used freecycle in the past but I found it a little more difficult to use than craigslist. <br /><br />Usually when I post something for free on craigslist, I immediately get 5 or 6 responses saying, "I'll take it! When can I come get it?" and then one or two asking me for intricate details, multiple photos and can I deliver it to them? After I finish rolling my eyes, I use the delete key. :)rbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02994781041852886102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-22820432199475883612011-05-03T13:01:37.211-04:002011-05-03T13:01:37.211-04:00As long as Goodwill, SA, etc. are getting paid wha...As long as Goodwill, SA, etc. are getting paid what they ask for the item, what's the difference? I'm pretty sure it's not the boutique owners who are shopping at the thrifts for their stock. Retail is hard work and a store owner doesn't realistically have time to shop in thrift stores for stock. I know of many women who buy designer items at thrift stores, have them cleaned, then take them to the local consignment store or boutique to sell them at a profit. That's probably how your donated items ended up in the boutique. Competition for the good stuff has definitely increased over the last few years! As for your daughter's friend, what she is doing is against Goodwill policy and she could get fired for it. If she is doing so with the store manager's knowledge, the district manager would certainly not approve!Couture Allure Vintage Fashionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10381287774029728350noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-9539776052251576052011-05-03T12:28:10.032-04:002011-05-03T12:28:10.032-04:00I used to consign my better (almost-new) items dir...I used to consign my better (almost-new) items directly, but was irked when things were priced so low I might as well have given them away. I'm going to try the eBay route for those items now, since I'm cash poor and could use the dosh.<br /><br />Otherwise, worn stuff gets picked up by Big Sisters. I support the work they do, and don't mind what happens once it's gone.Rubiatontahttp://rubiatonta.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-30249612587725534632011-05-03T11:59:25.449-04:002011-05-03T11:59:25.449-04:00I think seeing a business make money from my donat...I think seeing a business make money from my donation would bother me too. At the same time, I'd tell myself that a donation is like giving a gift - once it leaves your hands, it's out of your control. And the charity to which the item was originally donated made a bit of money on it by selling it to that business, which is part of the point.Alexandrahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11647360160775311798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-16153131064349065222011-05-03T10:42:37.375-04:002011-05-03T10:42:37.375-04:00I have written about this before and probably will...I have written about this before and probably will do so again. I was a "picker" myself in grad school when I was in the vintage biz (1980s). Then--and more so now--most of the people shopping at thrifts and sales are re-sellers. I'd say at least 75%.<br /><br />If you have something worth money--and have some time--I would suggest selling it yourself and then donating the cash to your charity of choice.frugalscholarhttp://frugalscholar.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-16339526938764294752011-05-03T10:16:31.584-04:002011-05-03T10:16:31.584-04:00Recently I've been in full household reorganiz...Recently I've been in full household reorganization mode and I've got (literally) pounds of clothes here in my home office to be donated. Perhaps if I were more enterprising I would try to sell the better ones on ebay, but I like the idea of providing them to the next buyer at a very low price.<br /><br />Not only do I donate, I shop at thrift stores too on a regular basis. Obviously, I'm a big proponent of buying pre-owned goods. But these days I rarely find anything worth buying as all the good stuff has been already acquired by pickers.Belle de Villehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14045827018848979761noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-47209339071635244702011-05-03T09:59:58.236-04:002011-05-03T09:59:58.236-04:00I look at it the same way as I do for gift giving ...I look at it the same way as I do for gift giving - once I give/donate it I have no say in what is done with it next. If some pickers and a resale store owner can make a living from it, that's okay with me. I've shopped in vintage stores as well as thrifts and found their prices are still lower than new for better quality. Your skirt priced at more than the original cost is an exception rather than the rule!<br /><br />Love the man who took the trouble to call and make sure the vest wasn't lost! How nice that you could reward him and get some more stuff out of your house at the same time.Northmoonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15597456926736581361noreply@blogger.com