Inflation and the cost of living encourage many consumers to opt for second-hand purchases. But in many cases, saving money is not the main concern of used goods store enthusiasts. The environmental problems linked to the textile industry and the pleasure of unearthing treasures weigh heavily in the balance. The circular economy is on the rise.
When she arrived in Quebec in 2001 with her husband, Farida Habel had little income and turned to thrift stores and second-hand stores to dress their children and furnish their apartment. For Farida, resorting to these businesses was a bit shameful. “I told my children not to say it for fear that they would be ostracized,” she relates.
The years have passed. Farida found a good job. Except that the habit of shopping thrift stores has never left her. “It has become a way of life. We find deals and avoid overconsumption, she says. My children are grown up and they rarely buy new things. »
Amélie Masse has also made purchasing used goods a rule of life, a little for savings, but above all for the environmental benefits. This adopted Gaspésie says she hasn’t bought anything new for three years except a phone. “But my heart is wrong,” she said.
Buying second-hand has become so much a part of her habits that when she got married last year, Mme Masse decided to have a “no purchase” event and asked his guests to respect this theme. “The local thrift stores were taken over. But everyone was beautiful. People made an effort and went to thrift stores that they never go to,” she says. “It’s really a way of doing things differently. It’s not a deprivation. It’s great joy. I love it. »
There is no shame in shopping in thrift stores, believes Caroline Bellerose, who, after being a customer for years, became a volunteer in a second-hand store in Montérégie. “Basically, thrift stores want to sell linen. If it’s for a cause, this money will be used to buy food, for a food bank for example,” she says.
Some organizations also have surplus clothing. The shops are not only aimed at the most deprived, adds Amélie Masse. “It’s not like going to a food bank when you don’t need one. It’s not the same thing at all. »
The fact remains that inflation and the reduction in purchasing power can be seen on the ground. Brigitte St-Germain, divisional secretary of public relations for the Salvation Army, reports that stores are seeing a 10% increase in traffic compared to last year. Less well-off households are more likely to obtain supplies from food banks and at the same time frequent Salvation Army stores, she says. The students are also regulars.
Organizations themselves have suffered the effects of inflation in their rent and gas expenses. At Renaissance, an NPO that focuses on social reintegration, we have had to increase the prices of items sold in recent years while trying to keep prices below the Value Village, a private company. But at the same time, Renaissance increased the salaries of its employees. “We wanted our employees to leave the minimum wage,” says Éric St-Arnaud, general manager.
Resale
For resellers, second-hand stores are a godsend, because nothing is simpler than buying items there at a low price and putting them for sale on a platform such as Marketplace or Kijiji. Brigitte St-Germain says they are easily recognizable when they enter a store. “It’s something that concerns us, but it’s difficult to follow these people and then check where things are going,” she explains. “There’s not much we can do. It’s not illegal as such to buy things and do whatever you want with them afterwards. »
Like many other stores, the Salvation Army tries to adjust upwards the prices of goods that can be resold. “These are still affordable prices, but valuable items will perhaps be 20 to 25% more expensive. »
Renaissance stores are also facing this problem and are adjusting the prices of certain items accordingly. “You have to find the right balance. But there will always be treasures,” says general manager Éric St-Arnaud. One of the organization’s strategies, he says, is to restock the shelves with new items at any time of the day, seven days a week. In this way, there is no need to rush to the stores. boutiques when they opened, thinking they could get their hands on the most beautiful pieces.
Expensive old things
The fact remains that the high prices of certain items raise eyebrows among some customers who believe that with donations, used goods stores should be more reasonable. This is also denounced by customers of the Value Village who, in a group on Facebook, list the exorbitant prices of certain items across Canada: Dollarama objects sold for more than new — with the label from Dollarama still in place —, a set of Pyrex bowls for $199, half-burnt candles for $5.99 or more and empty wine bottles for $14.99.
The Value Village is a private company listed on the stock exchange, but Caroline Bellerose judges that there are also treasures to be unearthed there. “People are insulted because they give things away and they are resold. The Values Village is a business, but when you buy there, you still meet certain criteria: it’s good for the planet and it’s good for my wallet. For me, the price difference is enough. »
Even when traveling, thrift store enthusiasts don’t rest. “When I go to Montreal or Quebec, I have to add time to be able to go around the second-hand stores,” confides Amélie Masse.