Bri Sexton, 24, says she, and many others, are “absolutely disgusted” by the price of clothes, furniture and household items in thrift stores.
She went there this week looking for furniture for her new flat, and was shocked to see a couch for $300, a rug for $120, and jackets, pants, and dresses for over $150.
“I really don’t understand that they should be a service here to help people like me who are struggling, [but] I can’t even afford to go in and get some warm clothes from them,” she says.
“I can’t afford a really bad couch for $300. I can’t afford a coat for $250…that’s why I’m going to the Salvation Army.”
Sexton says that with prices so high, the Family Store is “helping no one in town.”
“For example, if you went in and you’re really cold and you’re having a hard time, a single duvet costs $20.
“I just don’t understand [how] they justify these prices if they are all donated goods.”
Sexton says she has always relied on the Family Store for reasonably priced clothing and homewares, and previously it was her first port of call.
However, she claims the store is now capitalizing on Queenstown’s reputation for being expensive.
“I think they’re using the name ‘Queenstown’ to try and justify those prices…if anything, there’s more reason for you to have reasonable prices because the cost of living alone here is so high. “
She believes the store is not meeting the growing group of people struggling financially after Covid as it should.
“If anything, they should be cheaper now than they were five years ago.”
Sexton asked the manager this week why prices are so high and was reportedly told that it is related to the store’s overheads and that times are “hard”.
“Yeah, times are tough, that’s why people come to charity,” Sexton tells Mountain Scene.
“Lots of people in town [feel similarly]and I just don’t understand how they keep getting away with it.”
National manager of the Salvation Army Family Store, Gareth Marshall, says the stores have not only made a profit from donated goods going back to the community, but are also a source of clothing and goods for other people in crisis.
He says the prices are set by each store manager, who is “community based,” and the items are priced to sell.
“If people are in a financial situation where they cannot afford items in our Family Stores, we encourage them to discuss this with the store manager or contact their local Salvation Army ministry team.”
Neither the area manager of the Central Lakes Family Store nor the store manager of Gorge Rd were available for comment.