Australians frustrated by soaring op shop prices have been given a confronting explanation for why donated goods can cost so much.
One volunteer said waste disposal was among their store’s biggest expenses, with donations including soiled clothing, worn out shoes and damaged household goods leaving the charity to foot commercial rubbish fees.
‘I volunteer in an op shop and our biggest expense is getting rid of the rubbish that is donated,’ the volunteer said.
‘Once I was sorting and someone had vomited on a T-shirt and put it in the op shop bag, I have seen women’s blood stained undies, and plates and bowls with cracks and chips.
‘All this has to be thrown out, and we pay commercial rates to get rid of it.’
The volunteer said the problem had become so costly that some workers even took bags of rubbish home to dispose of themselves.
‘All profits go to assist those in the community that need assistance. Ours provides food, as well as a few other projects throughout the year,’ they said.
Another volunteer defended the higher prices, arguing shoppers often overlooked where their money ultimately went.
Op shops have come under fire from many Australians, with one showing an item of clothing advertised for $350
Naomi said she wants to support charities in a way that doesn’t disadvantage other Aussies
‘Everyone complaining about Vinnies and the Salvos, but as soon as people are struggling financially and want food support and vouchers, where do they go? Exactly!
‘They may be more expensive but I’m pretty damn certain that money is used to put back into the community and not to make their pockets bigger!!’
The Australian Red Cross also defended its pricing, saying money raised through its stores help fund its humanitarian work.
‘This is not about profit. Every dollar spent in our shops helps Australian Red Cross continue its humanitarian mission,’ a spokesperson said.
‘We are seeking to create value for three groups: our shoppers, our donors and the people who rely on Red Cross programs and services.
‘Our pricing is generally determined by the generosity of hundreds of volunteers around the country who support in our shops. They help us with price guides in-store which take into account factors such as brand, quality, condition and the overall value of an item.’
The spokesperson said prices could vary between stores depending on the quality and type of stock available.
A Lifeline spokesperson said its shops offered donated goods across a range of price points, with many stores also running regular promotions and sale days.
A jacket in an op shop was found with a price tag of $850
RM Williams is notorious for its prices, but Aussies hardly expect to find a pair worth $400 in an op shop
A T-shirt was advertised for $16 at a Vinnies, but the reasonable price was overshadowed by the very unreasonable quality, with a hole in the front
But the explanations have done little to settle a growing debate over the cost of second-hand shopping, with some Australians claiming it can now be cheaper to buy clothes new from discount retailers than from charity stores.
Naomi, a stay-at-home mum from NSW’s Illawarra region who has shopped second-hand since childhood, said op shops were once an affordable lifeline for those doing it tough.
‘There was a particular point in my life when I was broke and really relied on these stores to be able to shop with dignity, walk around and choose something that I liked without people knowing I was really struggling,’ she told the Daily Mail.
‘But if I was in that same spot now, I wouldn’t be able to do that… it’s just unbelievably sad.’
Naomi believes the rise of thrifting and resale culture has also changed how some charity stores value donated goods.
‘They used to have this wonderful culture of a place where you could donate your things and you knew that people could go in and afford to buy them,’ she said.
‘But that culture has now been replaced by, “Look how cool this item is! Let’s price it as high as possible so no one can re-sell it.”‘
Her frustration is shared by thousands of Aussies who have commented on her viral TikTok videos about op shop prices.
Naomi said bigger charity shops are now pricing their items high enough that people may no longer be able to afford basic items
‘Lots of people are commenting that Kmart is their new op shop because it’s actually cheaper for them,’ she said.
‘It’s become a vicious cycle for charities as they’ve now got pricing that’s too expensive and they’re in competition with fast fashion labels that are able to produce brand new items for less than donated ones.
‘And what a sad situation that is for both charities and the environment.’
The debate comes just weeks after a Vinnies store apologised and removed a T-shirt from sale after customers complained about its price and condition.
The blue Lacoste polo shirt, which had a large hole in the front, was priced at $16 at the Crown Street store in Surry Hills, inner Sydney.
Naomi acknowledged major charities faced the costs of running physical stores and funding community services but argued they needed to find a ‘middle ground’.
‘It should just be cheap enough that just about anyone could afford to buy at least the basics, clothing and household items that are donated.
‘They shouldn’t almost be brand new prices.’
She urged shoppers struggling with op shop prices to seek out smaller charity stores and council tip shops, where she said bargains could still be found.
The Daily Mail contacted several of Australia’s biggest charity retailers to find out how they set their prices.
Vinnies and Salvos have also been contacted for comment.
