Aussie blasts frustrating change at op shops as droves of customers officially ditch the charity stores for Kmart and Target: ‘It’s upsetting’
An outraged Aussie has lashed out at the expensive prices at op shops, with many claiming they have ditched the charity stores for good and gone to Kmart or Target.
TikTok user Bekkah showed off some of the ridiculous prices for tables, dolls and cups at her local Sydney Salvation Army store in a video posted on Wednesday.
The mother could not believe how expensive items had become as the op shop seemingly abandoned its legacy as an affordable safe haven for struggling Aussies.
Bekkah claimed the thrift stores were now taking advantage of ‘vulnerable’ Australians.
‘Australia’s most expensive op-shop/thrift shop goes to the Salvation Army,’ she wrote in the caption.
Throughout the store, many tables were priced around the $550 mark, a number of dolls cost $120 and even some drinking mugs were $75.
Most of the items Bekkah filmed had already been discounted, meaning they were even more expensive to begin with.
The second-hand tables in particular had each been discounted by $100.
Bekkah, from Sydney, walked through her local Salvation Army store to show others online how much they were charging for simple goods
Social media users said these types of prices were why they would just rather go to Kmart or Target.
‘Funny how the Big W clothing in the salvo shops is more expensive than buying new from Big W itself,’ one wrote.
‘Op shops are actually so lame with the prices right now. I can get stuff brand new at Kmart that they would sell for twice the price used,’ another agreed.
‘This is why I now post heaps for free on marketplace!’ a third said.
‘Because I’m not donating so the heads of these “charities” can drive around in luxury cars and live in luxury homes.’
Others questioned why these prices only ever seemed to be going up.
‘Considering they get it for free, that’s upsetting,’ one commented.
‘And their staff are mostly volunteers. And the charities don’t pay tax,’ a second said.
Bekkah accused the thrift shop of taking advantage of ‘vulnerable’ Australians
Many people are now returning to Kmart, Target and Big W because op-shops are no longer considered the cheapest option
‘There needs to be a Four Corners into why op shops are more expensive, and where that money is actually going,’ a third suggested.
An expert in the not-for-profit sector, Dr Bronwen Dalton, said cheap op shop items – from clothing to furniture – seem to be a thing of the past partially due to the rise of fast fashion and the housing crisis.
‘Because of fast fashion like Shein, massive amounts of really, really poor-quality clothing that is not fit for sale is dumped, and (charities) have to cover the costs of getting rid of it,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.
‘(And) charities are used as a way to get rid of stuff, people just don’t want it and don’t particularly care what happens to it.’
Dr Dalton also suggested charities move to a ‘less commercial’ ethos.
Some overheads have risen as charities look to ‘professionalise’ and run their operations in a more ‘business-minded’ fashion.
‘There’s been a bit of, “charities are badly run; we should get CEOs from business because they really know how to run things”,’ Dr Dalton said.
‘CEOs from the business sector bring their ideas which don’t take into account the mission and community.
‘Not-for-profits have had to evolve our approach and model to remain relevant and appeal to the changing competitive market.’
