Why buy second hand?

Some people feel very strongly about the type of things they buy. I have come across so many people that would never ever consider buying from a carboot sale or charity shop. They view them as second rate, especially if they have the money to buy something new.  Why would you in that case?

Several reasons........

The joy of never knowing what you may find.   I had been looking for a reasonably priced pair of cowboy boots for years and didn't want to pay £100!  In the last couple of years, I have found three pairs in Charity shops, all of them nearly new or hardly worn and they are gorgeous.  I get more excited going to a charity shop than I do on the High Street (and I am firm believer that we have the best high street stores in the world).  There is also the element of romance I suppose.  I like to wonder where they came from, who wore them and to what.   I also love knowing that my money is going to a worthwhile cause not some retail fat cat that has all its clothes mass produced in sweat shops in China.

I am lucky enough to live in a wonderful city (Bristol) which is highly creative, artistic and fosters local talent.  We have lots of vibrant quarters full of people from different ethnic backgrounds and I love visiting the different areas and seeing what is on offer.  Its also a chance to meet new people (I chat to anyone) and they can't really not talk to me when I am holding something with glee, smiling from ear to ear because I have found the perfect red coat.  We are lucky enought to have a large chain of charity shops for a particular chartity in Bristol  www.stpetershospice.org.uk  and they have really tried to entice the customer with clever visual merchandising, shop refurbishments and colour sectioning.  All their shops are bright, clean places full of little treasures.

I honestly believe that if more people gave the second hand market a second glance, we could change the stigma often associated with this way of shopping.  They are not just there to find your next fancy dress outfit, have a look with different eyes next time you shop.  You never know what little gems you may find - and for pennies  (less guilt!)