Charity shops and second-hand: how to buy well

Last checked November 2026. Offers and rules change: confirm with the provider before you rely on them.

Charity shops and second-hand sellers are among the best places to save money on clothes, books, furniture and household goods, often for a fraction of the new price. Buy from a shop or business and you keep your consumer rights; buy from a private individual and the item need only be as described.

Where to buy second-hand

Where	Good for	Your rights
Charity shops	Clothes, books, china, pictures, small household items	Full consumer rights, allowing for age and price
Charity furniture and electrical stores	Sofas, tables, beds, tested appliances	Full consumer rights; many deliver locally
Community reuse centres and "tip shops"	Furniture, tools, bicycles, garden items	Full consumer rights if run as a business or charity
Second-hand, antique and vintage shops	Furniture, jewellery, collectables	Full consumer rights
Car boot sales, small ads and online marketplaces	Almost anything	Limited when the seller is a private individual
Local giving groups	Free items passed on by neighbours	None; items are gifts

Your rights when buying second-hand

The Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies to second-hand goods bought from any business, and a charity shop counts. The goods must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described. "Satisfactory" takes account of age and price, so a ten-year-old armchair for £20 is not expected to be perfect, but it should be usable, and a lamp sold as working must work.

You cannot complain about a fault that was pointed out to you, or that you would have noticed on a reasonable inspection.
If something turns out to be faulty in a way you could not have spotted, you can ask for your money back within 30 days.
There is no legal right to return something because you changed your mind, though many charity shops will exchange or refund within a set period if you keep the receipt and the tag. Ask at the till.
With a private seller, the item must match its description, and that is all.

More detail is in your consumer rights, and for online sellers in buying on marketplaces.

What to look for

Clothes and shoes

Check seams, underarms, cuffs, collars, zips and buttons, and hold the garment up to the light for moth holes or thin patches.
Read the fabric label. Wool, cotton and linen wear well; "dry clean only" adds a cost.
Sizes vary by maker and decade, so try things on or measure against a garment that fits.
Look for quality in the things that are dear to buy new: winter coats, knitwear, leather bags and formal wear.

Furniture

Sit on it, open every drawer and check that it stands level. Solid wood can be repaired and refinished; damaged chipboard usually cannot.
Look for small round holes with fresh dust, a sign of active woodworm.
Upholstered furniture, such as sofas, armchairs and padded headboards, should carry a permanent fire-safety label. Charity shops are not supposed to sell upholstered items without one, so its absence is a reason to leave it.
Measure your doorways and the space at home before you go, and ask about delivery.

Electrical goods

Buy from shops that test what they sell. Many charity shops that take electricals put a safety-test sticker on each item.
Check the flex and plug for damage, and ask to see it switched on.
Check for product recalls on gov.uk if you are buying an older appliance.

Books, puzzles and games

These are the safest bargains of all. If small print is a struggle, ask whether the shop has a large-print shelf; see also large print books and puzzles. With jigsaws, a sealed inner bag or a "complete" sticker is reassuring, but accept the odd disappointment at these prices.

What is better bought new

Watch out: Some things are not worth the risk second-hand unless you know their full history: electric blankets and heated throws, gas appliances, mattresses, pillows, bicycle and riding helmets, and anything with a frayed flex. Old electric blankets in particular are a known fire risk; see heated throws and electric blankets.

Mobility and safety equipment needs particular care. A used walking frame from a reputable source may be fine, but items such as stairlifts, scooters and bath lifts should be checked, serviced and suited to you. Read second-hand mobility equipment before buying, and remember that some equipment may be available on loan through the NHS or your council after an assessment.

Getting the best from charity shops

Go often and go early in the week. Stock changes daily, and weekend donations are frequently on the rails by Monday or Tuesday.
Try different areas. Shops in different neighbourhoods and market towns receive different donations.
Ask. Volunteers often know what is in the back room, and whether the shop has reduction days.
Look at the specialist branches. Several large charities run dedicated furniture and electrical stores and bookshops, and some sell online.
Wash or clean before use. Launder clothes and wipe down hard surfaces as a matter of course.
Have a budget. Three bargains you did not need cost more than one thing you did.

Tip: Prices in charity shops are usually fixed, and the money goes to a good cause, so haggling is not the done thing. At car boot sales, antique fairs and with private sellers, a polite offer is expected; see our haggling guide.

Donating and selling your own things

Clearing out can raise money as well as space. Charity shops welcome clean, saleable items, and many charities collect furniture free; ring first to check what they can accept. If you pay income tax, signing a Gift Aid form lets the charity claim extra on what your items sell for, at no cost to you. If you would rather sell, online marketplaces and local auction houses are the usual routes, and the same safety rules apply to sellers as to buyers.

Common questions

Can I return something to a charity shop?

If it is faulty in a way you could not have noticed, yes, you have the same rights as in any shop. For a change of mind it depends on the shop's own policy, so keep the receipt and ask when you buy.

Are second-hand electrical items safe?

They can be, when bought from a shop that tests them. Avoid untested appliances and anything with a damaged cable.

Why are some charity shops dearer than others?

Each charity sets its own prices, and shops in some areas charge more because of what is donated and what local customers will pay. It is worth trying several.

Is it all right to buy second-hand as a gift?

Of course. A good book, a quality scarf or a piece of china in excellent condition makes a thoughtful present, and nobody need know where it came from.