Making the most of charity shops

Charity shops make perfect recycling sense: items that might otherwise be headed for landfill are given a new lease of life, at the same time raising money for good causes and providing employment in the high street. Here are some hints on making the most of them, whether you're donating or buying.

Donating to charity shops

• Check the shop's opening hours before you set off.
• Make sure clothes you are donating are clean - this saves on significant dry cleaning costs for the charity.
• Think quality, not quantity.
• Find out what different charity shops sell - some specialise in books and/or music, for example, and there are even specialist charity shops for bridal wear.
• If you have a high-value item to donate, which might not fetch the best price in your local charity shop, contact Valued at Oxfam who will always aim to sell your gift at the best possible price, often at auction.

Hints for bargain-hunters

• Ask the shop staff what time of week most donations are received - then get in early for the best stuff.
• Different areas have different styles of item, depending on the type of neighbourhood.
• Rummage, rummage, rummage! You might have to go through a few rails until you find your hidden gem.
• Chat to the shop staff for insider knowledge. Some shops receive donations direct from designers.
• If in doubt about an item, buy it! It might not be there when you go back. And you can always donate it back if you want to.