Op Shop Shopping

Mobile Cubbyhouse · Member

Op Shop Shopping

Big Gorilla · Guru

I agree. Surprising the items you find in Op Shops. I'm always on the lookout for CDs and DVDs. I've picked up quite a few gems over the years.

Happywanderer · The Master

Totally agree. I love my op shopping but at the moment have withdrawal symptoms. Haven't been in one since Katherine, now in Carnarvon. I know there is one here but only opens 9 - 12 so will get down town early tomorrow.
I do agree with the clothes comments, at least you know they won't shrink any further.
One of my prized possessions is a silver wine goblet which has it's own personal history. Engraved on it reads To Allen Love Mother 1981 When I use it I always wonder what their story is.
Found some great little shot glasses including one for John yeoeleven with his name on it.

yeoeleven · Guru

Yes Marj and I still have it but it doesn't get much use these days, will get into the schapps, opal mera and baileys when I get company at Greens.

Just bought 2 books from the Rollingstone opp shop so this topic is just up my alley,

John

sufil · Guru

They are the BEST shops to shop out (as are the tip shops and car boot sales!)
Most of our clothes come from op shops, especially when we were on the road, new clothes for every season at a fraction of the price.
Books are another favourite.
Phil always goes thru the toy boxes looking for matchie cars. (We wont go into how many 50litre tubs he has in the shed with his cars in!! He has the playing with ones and the heaven help any kid that touches ones)

Pejay · Guru

Found a couple of lovely tops at St Vinnies in Trangie - sale day, you could fill a bag for $5!

When we went out to Cameron Corner I bought quite a few tops etc 'cause once the red dirt gets into them, you are hard pushed to get it out again, and this way I am helping the community and saving my reasonably good stuff for another time.

The Hats · Senior Member

Mate ,

Nothing wrong with op shops we have them all here in our home paddock, St.Vinnies,Red Cross, Endevour, Lifeline, I have picked up some very high quality fishing gear from these places over the years and some awesome and collectible rocords.

Also some very good cloths plus older cloths I use for fishing or working on the tug ect Not to mention the tools you can replaced damaged or lost (read kids using and they end up in there tool box) at a fraction of the price of new ones.

Cheers

The Hats

Sheba · Guru

Been an addict for about 57 years. As the others have said, wonderful for Clothes, Shoes, Handbags, Kitchen items, Linen, Books, DVD's, and Jewellery. Picked up a Breadmaker for $7.50 a few weeks ago. Friend of mine was lookiing for an old-fashioned Egg-poacher. Found one for him.

I love them.

Cheers,

Sheba.

GaryKelly · Guru

I'm an op shop shopper too, and that's where I found Bubba B, my travelling companion.

kiwijims · Guru

"Gotta love them Op Shops" Called into our local "Vinnies" a few years back, just as I came through the door, the Manager, whom I knew was about to cut the power lead off a large two door fridge/freezer, hang on I yelled, whats wrong with it ? we don't know was the answer, it arrived here on the back of our truck upside down, we're not game to turn it on, how much do you want for it I asked ? $ 5.00 was the answer.

I took it home and it worked perfectly for the next five years. biggrin biggrin biggrin

K.J.

Cupie · Guru

Opp shops feed my fetish for wine glasses, in particular the shape that they use for wine tasting at wineries. Good for red,& white & sparkling. I got a real bargain of a box of 12 for $10 at the local shop.

I used to buy lots of paperbacks there too but have migrated to ebooks these days as I had difficulty in parting with 'favorite' books & have several book cases chock a block. They probably miss my custom as I used to rearrange the books by author as I perused their stock.

I always go through the crockery & am always on the lookout for silver cutlery or old ivory handled carvers but without much luck.

03_troopy · Guru

On our last trip up to Townsville we picked up one of those motorised medical beds that fold into a Z shape for my bro-in-law who had an op on his spine for $50.00. He was looking at buying one from Melbourne for over $600.00. he was pretty chuffed. Also I buy good quality jeans and workshirts for a couple of dollars each.

Oz Gypsy · Veteran Member

We love op shops too! We searched for a leather jacket for hubbby for 5 years, for wearing at the camp fire, and finally found a really good one in an op shop in Kiama a couple of years ago.

It was $35 but they were having a half price sale so he got it for $17.50 and it is a beauty - fully lined and with lots of good pockets. Absolute bargain.

Happywanderer · The Master

My most important find I forgot to mention, is Miss Marples my teddy. She has travelled with me since I went out on the road and enjoys every minute of being a nomad.
She is called Miss Marples because she always wears a straw hat.

hako · Guru

The best thing I like about Op-Shops is that I can take all the junk I don't want into the shop and know it will benefit them. It's usually stuff I bought previously at an Op-Shop.

JohnR · Senior Member

I have volunteered at Vinnies in Canberra for the past 9years. Majority of my time was Saturday mornings due to work commitments helping with the donations and sorting in the warehouse.

You will find that to compete with K-Mart, Target and the 2 dollar shops they have had to drop their prices. All jeans for example are now $7-.At the moment in NSW they have a massive recruitment drive due to the aging volunteer work force. It is unfortunate that in today's world there are few people from the younger generations prepared to offer up their spare time.

I am more than happy to say that I shop for my clothes at Vinnies.

JohnR

Peter_n_Margaret · Guru

We almost completely equipped our MH in Europe from op shops.
Cooking gear, storage containers, cutlery, linen, ............

Cheers,
Peter

hardynjools · Veteran Member

What great tips and ideas. Thanks for sharing them.

Sounds like you are having fun shopping and redesigning things, as well as "donating" to a charity. blankstare

Cupie · Guru

Peter_n_Margaret wrote:
We almost completely equipped our MH in Europe from op shops.
Cooking gear, storage containers, cutlery, linen, ............

Cheers,
Peter

I have read of regular overseas travelers who travel with only hand luggage & fit themselves out at opp shops when they arrive at their destination. Re-donate them back when they leave.

I'll have to suggest this approach to SWMBO. I think that I know the response. One of the first things we check before deciding on an airline is the baggage allowance. US based carriers are usually the 'best'. Not unusual for us to have to purchase extra suitcases for the trip home.

the rocket · Guru

my latest acquisition is a small toy car in a plastic case for $3.50 like a little matchbox car. you need a screw driver to get the screws out to get the car out. I bought this for my grandson thinking it looked a bit nicer than a matchbox car. looked it up on ebay and it is a collector one and similar is selling for $70. bargain.

-- Edited by the rocket on Wednesday 20th of August 2014 10:30:47 AM

Friar Park · Senior Member

I agree Mobile theres nothing wrong with op shopping - You get some really top quality gear at prices so low and nobody ever as to know if you don't tell 'em. Its the one bit of shoppng that SWMBO never has a problem with getting the pack horse (me) to accompany her.

Friar

KevKim37 · Senior Member

The OP Shops are the first thing Kim looks for on entering any town and loves them cause she can swap and/or buy different Handbags.

Last purchase was a bedspread in Coober Pedy and another handbag from Vinnies in Edmonton. I have bought clothes in these shops myself

but I can have trouble finding stuff to fit as most seem to be for larger types but still like wandering through them.

Cheers Kev.

Cloak · Guru

Last time in Orbost I dropped in to their OPpie and it was a goldmine. Came out with a can opener some DVD's and a steamer.

Best of all was the dear old lady with arthritic hands who was perched on an old kitchen chair, knitting. She told me of
the history of Orbost and her childhood swimming in the then mighty snowy river and all the benefits of living in a small town. I'll never forget her serenity while she
reminisced the good old days. I can tell you it was haunting.

I hope she's still there.

Granty · Senior Member

Op shops in country towns can have some great finds and the money raised goes to support local causes. Most of our campers cooking gear and old coats for wearing around the camp fire come from op shops. smile

Rod.

Knowledge speaks, but wisdom listens.