Value Village prices too high for some bargain hunters

A Bridgewater, N.S., mother says she is making fewer and shortertrips to Value Village since the prices began climbing over the past year.

MeghanNauss Donat said she was shocked to find children's snow pants being sold for $24.99 this fall at the for-profit thrift shop's Halifax location inBayers Lake.

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A similar pair, in brand and quality, was only $7.99 a year ago, she said Monday.

"We've always gone to the Bayers Lake store every couple of weeks. I haven't found anything to really excite me in awhile."

In particular, she said she's noticed Value Village has been charging nearly the same prices for used clothing from discount department storesas what they cost new.

"I noticed that the prices are getting really crazy and that some of the thingsyou're almost better off to buy in the [department]store," saidNaussDonat, a self-described thrift store "diva."

"What I noticed the most is the 'George' brand, which is from Walmart."

Topic of online discussions

She is part of a Canada-wideFacebook group of about 90 women who regularly share information about shopping deals. Value Village prices have been the topic of online discussions, she said.

"We've noticed it across the country. Some people are saying they don't even bother going through the doors anymore."

Marilyn Roberts, who operates a business in Windsor, N.S., began shopping at Value Village 20 years ago when she lived in western Canada.

"Probably about seven years ago, I could see them slowing climbing," she said. "You could get new for what they were charging."

Value Villagedefendedits thriftyimage in a Nov. 6 response to a CBC News interview request.

The vast majority of goods sold at the chain storeare sold for less than $10, saidSaraGaugl, director of communications for Value Village.

"Each store places up to 10,000 items on their sales floors daily, and each piece of merchandise is individually sorted and evaluated by our team members based on the condition and quality of the item, and then priced accordingly," Gauglsaidin an email.

'You can find unique items'

Roberts said she finds that Value Village clothing and handbags have the highest markups, noting"$12.99 and $24.99 seem to be the most common prices."

She said she rarely buys anything at the thrift store chain anymore but will go with a friend, "my Value Village buddy,"for "some fun, just to see if there are any deals."

Roberts said she did buy some lined curtains and a picture for her office recently.

"What you can find is unique items and the pottery is reasonable there, I will say that."

But she also grumbles about the province charging sales tax on used clothing.

"The tax has already been paid on those items."