{"id":25208,"date":"2025-07-27T04:51:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-27T04:51:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/25208\/"},"modified":"2025-07-27T04:51:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-27T04:51:09","slug":"aussie-blasts-frustrating-change-at-op-shops-as-droves-of-customers-officially-ditch-the-charity-stores-for-kmart-and-target-its-upsetting","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/25208\/","title":{"rendered":"Aussie blasts frustrating change at op shops as droves of customers officially ditch the charity stores for Kmart and Target: ‘It’s upsetting’"},"content":{"rendered":"

By ZAK WHEELER FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA<\/a> <\/p>\n

Published: 23:26 EDT, 26 July 2025 | Updated: 00:28 EDT, 27 July 2025 <\/p>\n

An outraged Aussie has lashed out at the expensive prices at op shops, with many claiming they have ditched the charity stores for good and gone to Kmart or Target.\u00a0<\/p>\n

TikTok<\/a> user Bekkah showed off some of the ridiculous prices for tables, dolls and cups at her local Sydney<\/a> Salvation Army store in a\u00a0video posted on Wednesday.<\/p>\n

The mother could not believe how expensive items had become as the op shop seemingly abandoned its legacy as an affordable safe haven for struggling Aussies.<\/p>\n

Bekkah claimed the thrift stores were now taking advantage of ‘vulnerable’ Australians.<\/p>\n

‘Australia’s most expensive op-shop\/thrift shop goes to the Salvation Army,’ she wrote in the caption.<\/p>\n

Throughout the store, many tables were priced around the $550 mark, a number of dolls cost $120 and even some drinking mugs were $75.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Most of the items Bekkah filmed had already been discounted, meaning they were even more expensive to begin with.<\/p>\n

The second-hand tables in particular had each been discounted by $100.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Bekkah, <\/p>\n

Bekkah, from Sydney, walked through her local Salvation Army store to show others online how much they were charging for simple goods<\/p>\n

Social media users said these types of prices were the reason they would rather shop at Kmart or Target.<\/p>\n

‘Funny how the Big W clothing in the salvo shops is more expensive than buying new from Big W itself,’ one wrote.<\/p>\n

‘Op shops are actually so lame with the prices right now. I can get stuff brand new at Kmart that they would sell for twice the price used,’ another agreed.<\/p>\n

‘This is why I now post heaps for free on marketplace,’ a third said.<\/p>\n

‘Because I’m not donating so the heads of these “charities” can drive around in luxury cars and live in luxury homes.’<\/p>\n

Others questioned why op shop prices only ever seemed to be going up.<\/p>\n

‘Considering they get it for free, that\u2019s upsetting,’ one social media user commented.<\/p>\n

‘And their staff are mostly volunteers. And the charities don’t pay tax,’ a second said.<\/p>\n

\"Bekkah <\/p>\n

Bekkah accused the thrift shop of taking advantage of ‘vulnerable’ Australians\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Many <\/p>\n

Many people are now returning to Kmart, Target and Big W because op-shops are no longer considered the cheapest option\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘There needs to be a Four Corners into why op shops are more expensive, and where that money is actually going,’ a third suggested.<\/p>\n

An expert in the not-for-profit sector,\u00a0Dr Bronwen Dalton, said\u00a0cheap op shop items – from clothing to furniture – seemed to be a thing of the past partially due to the rise of fast fashion and the housing crisis.<\/p>\n

‘Because of fast fashion like Shein, massive amounts of really, really poor-quality clothing that is not fit for sale is dumped, and (charities) have to cover the costs of getting rid of it,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.\u00a0<\/p>\n

‘(And) charities are used as a way to get rid of stuff, people just don’t want it and don’t particularly care what happens to it.’<\/p>\n

Dr Dalton also suggested charities move to a ‘less commercial’ ethos.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Some overheads have risen as charities look to ‘professionalise’ and run their operations in a more ‘business-minded’ fashion.<\/p>\n

‘There’s been a bit of, “charities are badly run; we should get CEOs from business because they really know how to run things”,’\u00a0Dr Dalton said.<\/p>\n

‘CEOs from the business sector bring their ideas which don’t take into account the mission and community.<\/p>\n

‘Not-for-profits have had to evolve our approach and model to remain relevant and appeal to the changing competitive market.’<\/p>\n

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