what happened to the true spirit of the op shop?

it has been a while since my last post and i don't really have any excuse. yes, i did have a few computer probs but that wasn't the real reason... i guess i have just been slack and feeling a little uninspired. anyway, after today's good op shopping, i'm feeling more cheery (i guess spending always makes me feel a little better... ). i picked up a few bargains, including this cool coloured chair for five bucks!

despite my cheery mood, something really got me thinking today and that was how op shops have changed over the last ten years, not just in price increases but in their true spirit.


i checked out some shirts in savers and was shocked to find that they were $20 each! old plates were also around $20.... gone are the days where you can pick up clothes for 50 cents. i understand a little price rise but some op shops are no longer places to pick up bargains.


i also ventured into a a salvos store where a woman in front of me wanted to buy a pair of pants which were priced at seven dollars. she enquired about the health care card discount and the woman behind the counter replied that it wasn't discount day. the woman was clearly upset, struggling with the decision of whether she could afford the pants. she ended up reluctantly handing over the money. i wanted to buy the pants for her but at the same time didn't want to patronise the woman... i felt that the 'volunteer' (or was she paid??), should have just given the woman the discount or even just given her the pants! i was under the impression that op shops primarily used to be for providing material aid (which has been donated, i might add) to those in need. 


i guess i sound a little contradictory - wanting to pick up a bargain yet wanting op shops to provide for those who really need it (in aid and raising money). perhaps i will need to think about what a happy medium may be.... anyway, that's my rant for the week. X