Since I can't seem to find a job, volunteering is the next avenue to somehow get out of my funk. At least this way I'm somehow contributing to society and talking to people, the cat cannot talk back to me, so sometimes I need a little more company. I'm volunteering at a Red Cross Op Shop for about a month now and it's really cool. I thought op shops were just places people donated their old clothes and other people bought them cheap. It seems stores donate too, so technically it's brand new clothes, in a recognised brand that's never been worn, at a considerably reduced price. For example yesterday a box came in and I opened it, tagged the items and priced them. I saw a lovely black cardigan from a brand I love and can no longer afford. As a volunteer (unpaid employee) we get a 20% discount on any purchase, so I paid $12 for my cardigan. When I got home I googled my cardigan and full retail price is $80! I could not believe it! I need to rethink how I purchase clothes from now on. Some of the donated brands are from Myer and some are from K-Mart and Target and other stores I'm not too familiar with, both high and low end brands. Also by volunteering here I've learned which brands are low, mid or high end. Some I already knew, like Calvin Klein is high end, it's high end in the US so of course here too. R.M.Williams is an Aussie high end (knew this - bloody expensive even when it's on sale). Someone donated a dress from Banana Republic and it made me smile, there is no Banana Republic here so a little bit of nostalgia for me. I did see an I.N.C. blouse the other day, I miss that Macy's brand. No one there had ever heard of INC and therefore priced it as a low end blouse $7. I laughed in my head as INC is definitely a mid.
Op Shops sell women's clothing, all sorts of tops, from summer tank tops to heavy sweaters, dresses, skirts, jeans, slacks and shoes and jackets of all sort. They have men's clothing and some kids clothing too. There's a store in Brisbane that sells wedding gowns, why pay thousands? They sell homewares, tea and coffee cups, some are antique and crystal. Brand new, never used blankets, candles, costume jewelry, hats, gloves and even watches. Discounted books anyone? They sell them too, along with CD's and DVD's. Donated bags, some Coach and other leather no name bags. They sell scarves, summery ones and thick wintery ones that we need right now. Belts and sunglasses too, it's amazing what you can find for a bargain in an op shop. Here's a photo of my little coffee cup set I got for just $8.00.
