Dilemma
I recently stumbled upon a beautiful dress in a local charity shop. It still had the tags attached, and I felt incredibly lucky to find it – it was from a well-known designer brand, and I purchased it for just a fraction of the original retail price. At that moment, I bought it purely because I loved how it looked, but upon returning home, I realized it wasn’t quite the right fit for me.
Instead of letting it collect dust in my wardrobe, I opted to list it on Vinted. To my surprise, it sold within a few days for more than double what I had initially paid. Initially, I felt elated about making a profit, but then a wave of guilt washed over me.
The dress had originated from a charity shop, and by reselling it, I found myself benefiting financially while the charity only received the amount I had originally paid for it. This left me questioning whether I should send the extra money I earned back to the charity. It feels somewhat wrong to profit from something that was donated for a good cause.
On the other hand, I remind myself that once I bought the dress, it was mine to do with as I pleased. If I had discovered it in a regular retail store and decided to resell it, I probably wouldn’t have given it a second thought. So, am I overthinking this dilemma? Or should I make a donation to ease my conscience?
Emily Braeger, The i Paper’s Money Reporter, replies
First and foremost, it’s crucial to recognize that the charity shop benefited from your purchase. Once you acquired the dress, it became yours to keep, wear, or sell as you see fit.
Charity shops typically price items below their full market value to facilitate quick sales, which helps them maximize turnover and ultimately raise more funds over time. Your feelings of guilt indicate that you genuinely care about the impact of your spending.
If you feel uneasy about keeping the profit, donating some or all of it back to the charity is a thoughtful and generous gesture, although it is not a requirement. You might also explore other ways to support the charity, such as making regular donations, volunteering your time, or shopping there more frequently.
From a financial standpoint, what you did is not unethical. Many individuals make a living by identifying bargains and reselling items for profit, whether they come from charity shops, vintage stores, or online marketplaces. The main difference in your situation lies in the emotional aspect; you feel a sense of responsibility because the funds were intended for a charitable cause.
A balanced approach could involve viewing this as an opportunity to engage more mindfully with charity shopping in the future. Perhaps you might choose to resell ethically by donating a small portion of any profit back, or you could continue supporting charities in other meaningful ways.
Ultimately, the decision is a personal one, and there is no definitive right or wrong answer – only what aligns with your values and feels comfortable for you.