I suspect that they eventually realise that they have priced things wrongly when people tell them and they don't sell.
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As has been noted before, Oxfam seem to more savvy than most - as the oldest players in the charity game (I think), they seem to have resources and knowledge on their side. They are also the only charity shop to have 'specialist' bookshops, where you routinely encounter high prices. I still think this is a mistake: although they may be o.o.p., a lot of these recordings are available as downloads and even the middle-aged will now be more likely to pay for a download that to fork out big bucks for a second-hand CD.Comment
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I suspect likewise - and a lot might have to do with temporary assistants/managers like Ferretf suggested. The Skipton Oxfam bookshop went through a spell of charging "collectable" prices for mundane second-hand CDs - they didn't sell, and now they're all back in the £2-3 mark. Macclesfield's equivalent, is still pricing discs optimistically - a Hamelin Sorabji disc whose booklet had been used as a coaster was priced at £24! The Music worth every penny, of course, but ....Originally posted by mikealdren View Post
Surprised (and disturbed) to hear Conchis saying that books are overpriced in some Oxfam bookshops - part of the frustration about the CD prices arose from how cheap the books in the same shop have been. Most stock locally no more expensive than £2.49 each, and some "huge" books (in pristine condition) under a fiver. Hope Conchis' experience isn't the start of a new trend - although, it might curb my enthusiasm to part with money if it is!
EDIT - Ah! I think I've misread Conchis' comment about "bookshops, where you routinely encounter high prices".[FONT=Comic Sans MS][I][B]Numquam Satis![/B][/I][/FONT]Comment
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Yes: I was referring to the prices of CDs in the Oxfam bookshops. Books still seem to retail for an average price of £2.49 for a paperback.Originally posted by ferneyhoughgeliebte View PostComment
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[FONT=Comic Sans MS][I][B]Numquam Satis![/B][/I][/FONT]Comment
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Reading this post, firstly I experienced regret. I walked through Stockbridge yesterday! Map in hand. on my way from the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens to the New Town (first visit to the Botanic, BTW, and very impressed - the range of plants. shrubs, trees– and labelling, etc, is excellent).Originally posted by pastoralguy View Post
With Mrs CS as a watchful companion, and views justified in part I have to concede, about the size of my CD (and book) collection, there isn't much pleasure from Oxfam bookshops when accompanied, so I don't bother going in. But reading the post further, it suffers from the same problem as my local - when I speak to the manager, I usually mention their optimistic pricing. I think pricing is managed by the local volunteers, but presumably there is central guidance, as I also visit a similar Oxfam Bookshop 10 miles away, and prices are a shade more realistic. Often, I can do better on Amazon. I do keep wondering if the time spent is worth it – and whether I might buy a CD because its the best of the bunch, whereas in another setting I wouldn't bother with it. Perhaps I am really checking to see if any good collections have been donated, or whether any of the mentioned best BBC MM discs are on the racks. I think if I lived and worked in Edinburgh, I might feel differently, judging from Pastoralguy's reports!
Today, when I was shopping alone and not in Edinburgh, the best I found (BHF shop) was a 3 CD set of Ella Fitzgerald (Verve label) but (Grrr!) had to pass on the Domingo/Freni Cavallieria Rusticana (DGG) which I've already bought (via Amazon) after the recent RoH cinema relay.Comment
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Originally posted by Cockney Sparrow View Post
My first visit back in May. (Bought some Scabious Black Knight seeds - they're still flowering their socks off in the front garden.)[FONT=Comic Sans MS][I][B]Numquam Satis![/B][/I][/FONT]Comment
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Two from the Windsor Oxfam shop today: The Nustat Fateh Ali Kahan compilation CD "Ecstasy" and Vilayat Khan playing Saanjh Saravali and Nand Kalyan (£1.99 each)
Another two from the Windsor Hospice charity shop: Stephen Hough playing Prokofiev's 6th piano sonata, Scriabin's 9th 'Black Mass' and three transcendental studies by Liapunov (£1,50), and a brand new (still in film wrap) Linn SACD of Sibelius P and M, Kuolema, Belshazar's Feast, The Tempest Suite No. 2, and Andante Festivo - Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Joseph Swensen (£2).Comment
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Today, in the goldmine that is Alfreton:
Martha Argerich & Friends - Live From Lugano (3 discs)
Beethoven Piano Trios - Wanderer Trio (4 discs)
Tchiakovsky 5 VPO/Gergiev
Stella di Napoli - Joyce DiDonato
Mozart Requiem (Barenboim)/ Verdi Requiem (Barbirolli) (2 discs)
Hovhaness - Symphonies 39 & 46
Total tally: just over eleven quid for 12 CDs. :)Comment
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Today, I picked up Lyvia Rev playing Chopin Nocturnes on Hyperion. £1.99 for a 2 cd set.
I also got the Ravel 'Melodies' set on EMI. Artists include Berganza, Flott, Mesple, Norman, Bacquier and Van Dam. Ironically, I got this cd earlier in the year for 99p but one disc was so badly scratched it really was beyond help. So, this is a nice replacement.
Although I already possess it, I couldn't resist an EMI Studio cd of Tortelier playing the Dvorak 'cello concerto under Previn and The LSO.Comment
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Possibly, my bargain of the year! Sviatoslav Richter. The Warner Years.. 24 CDs. Brand new in cellophane. A fiver!
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... o the gloating! It's getting unbearable
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Right place, right time. Five minutes later...Originally posted by vinteuil View Post.
... o the gloating! It's getting unbearable
I often wonder what the circumstances are regarding these bargains. Unwanted presents, duplicated purchases or heard once and discarded? I picked them up in a charity shop in Corstorphine - one of Edinburgh's most affluent areas. I just happened to be passing and there was a parking space.Comment
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Originally posted by pastoralguy View PostRight place, right time. Five minutes later...
I often wonder what the circumstances are regarding these bargains. Unwanted presents, duplicated purchases or heard once and discarded? I picked them up in a charity shop in Corstorphine - one of Edinburgh's most affluent areas. I just happened to be passing and there was a parking space.
BUT...'the harder you work, the luckier you get.'
Well done! :)Comment
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