Best charity shops for bargain designer bags and shoes revealed by MoneySavingExpert

And the consumer site reckons now is the perfect time to grab a bargain as January is typically the time to declutter and get rid of unwanted Christmas presents.

Especially given the current trend to follow the advice given in Marie Kondo's "Tidying Up" series on Netflix.

Charity Sue Ryder told The Sun that it's seen a "significant increase" in donations to shops this January, while some stores report receiving double the amount.

Meanwhile, Scope told us that donations to shops are up 5 per cent compared to this time last year.

The Salvation Army reports that donations are up by a mammoth 80 per cent in Scotland, although it's yet to do the figures for England and Wales, while the British Heart Foundation and Oxfam have both confirmed rises too.

So here's how to sniff out a bargain and save some money on designer gear, according to MoneySavingExpert.com.

Head to posh towns

First up is the all important location, location, location. Head to posh areas and you're likely to find designer cast offs in the local charity shops.

According to MoneySavingExpert.com users, hotspots include Bath, Chelsea in London, Edinburgh, Oxford, Tring, and St Andrews.

One user recommends Alderley Edge in Manchester, saying: "For anyone living close to Alderley Edge in South Manchester, I can recommend the charity shops on the high street.

"This is THE place for designer rejects from Cheshire ladies who lunch! I've spotted DKNY, Jimmy Choo, Armani and Prada."

Meanwhile, Scope in Cambridge told us that it's received a bag of designer goodies, including the likes of Dolce & Gabanna, all folded with Marie Kondo's signature style.

Follow charity stores on social media

Following charity shops on social media is a great way to be first in the know about bargains.

MoneySavingExpert highlights the Instagram account of an Oxfam Boutique in trendy Westbourne Grove in London.

Recent posts reveal items for sale such as heels from Miu Miu and boots from Ralph Lauren.

Visit Newlife for Ted Baker and Barnardos for designer clobber

Next up is to work out which charities have links with popular stores. It's all very hush hush, but MoneySavingExpert says M&S donates some samples and surplus to Oxfam.

While users of the site suspect that Oxfam gets much Ted Baker surplus stock.

Ted Baker also admits on its website that it sends faulty clothes to charity Newlife to resell in its eight stores in England and Wales.

Newlife's Instagram reveals that one shopper snapped up a £180 Ted Baker bag for just £22, for example.

Barnardo's has also confirmed that it receives goods directly from designer and high street firms – although it wouldn't tell The Sun which retailers it works with.

The charity's chief executive, Javed Khan, said: “Our shops do receive items from high street and high-end, sometimes designer, retailers. This includes fashion and sample homeware items.

"We de-tag donated items from brands if they request this, and have done this for quite a few large companies over the last few months. Unfortunately, we do not have permission to name them.

"Some high street brands don’t require us to de-tag items, so often there will be high street brands with the labels intact."

Check out Mary Portas' Living & Giving stores

Another of MoneySavingExpert.com's tricks is to head retail guru Mary Portas's Living & Giving shops, which sell secondhand designer gear with cash going to charity Save The Children.

The Twitter page for the chain's Bermondsey branch, for example, reveals cut-price Prada, Vivienne Westwood and more.

Items in these stores probably won't be as cheap as traditional charity shops but they could still be worth a try.

There are 25 stores around the UK, although most are in London.

For more bargains, head to Boots on Friday when its 70 per cent off sale starts.

Meanwhile if you're trying to shift some unwanted items, eBay sellers will soon be able to list 1,000 items for FREE.

And here's how to save money and get freebies at McDonald’s, Burger King, KFC, Nando’s and Domino’s.


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