How uncharitable!
Dealers hijack sale at Shelter shop to grab luxury goods
IT is a hotly awaited event among bargain-hunters – the annual sale at a charity shop in one of the capital’s most affluent areas.
For those in the know, Shelter Scotland’s Stockbridge shop is prized for designer brands at low prices.
But with cut-price offers including Vivienne Westwood jackets, Gucci scarves and Burberry coats, the secret had reached a wider audience.
It meant that yesterday keen shoppers queued for up to two hours to get their hands on the second-hand luxury goods at massively reduced prices.
And jostling alongside them were aggressive dealers just as keen to bag the bargains – and sell them on for profit.
Customers could be seen pushing and scrambling over each other to be first through the doors of the Edinburgh shop, which opened at 10am.
Within ten minutes, the most hotly-anticipated items were in the hands of the dealers. Those queuing for the tills were so laden with clothes, luggage and paintings that it was almost impossible to squeeze past them to get to the back of the shop.
A local shopper, who did not wish to be named, said: ‘There are dealers pushing and shoving you out the way. One of them almost snatched something out of my hands. It’s ridiculous.’
Despite the scramble, some did manage to bag themselves some bargains. They included a £500 Paul Smith cashmere jacket on sale for £35, a Burberry coat at £60, instead of the retail price of £500 and a Zenith 9ct gold watch for £300, which usually sells for £575.
Brett Couper, 20, from Stockbridge, said: ‘I thought I would pop in since I live down the street. I never expected it to be this busy – there was desperation in the air. You had to push your way in. I managed to get some Gucci ties for £8 each and a Burberry bag for £20.’
Peter Jew, manager of the popular store, said: ‘There’s pandemonium when the doors open.’