LETTER: Items in our charity shops are getting too dear

I was very pleased the cat charity shop has re-opened in Long Sutton after a report in The Voice stated it was doubtful it would re-open.

The prices, however, have hugely increased. Books that we used to pay a few pence for (manuals etc) are now £4, and looking like the very same books they could not shift for a few pence.
A huge teddy was marked at £16 and the bric-a-brac was at least six times more expensive.

I understand a refurbishment has been done, and it did need it badly but let’s remember, these items were donated. But this seems a very worrying trend in our local charity shops.

A charity shop in Holbeach sometimes has “buy one get one free” days but when you look at the price, they appeared to have been doubled in the first place.

I like to give to charity shops, and the volunteers are generally very helpful and kind. However, I am sure the Top Dogs in all these sorts of organisations, still want the very hefty salary/consultation fee and expect the shops and members of the public to provide it.
It was reported that the chief executive of the RSPCA earns a six figure salary (which was a reported 45 per cent increase than the last CEO) and yet less is being spent on animal welfare. Many times I have heard of people ringing the RSPCA to report animal cruelty or neglect only to be told they can do nothing about it but would they like to make a donation.

I no longer give to the RSPCA and I understand a lot of people did the same and stopped giving.

So if we want to keep our High Street charity shops, keep the prices realistic. They are (usually) secondhand goods, not new, and the prices must reflect that.

D Loos
Fleet