Ooh, Edinburgh! I've never been, so I hope you post pics!
I live in America and have never seen the thrift shops you see on videos--even ones run by the same charity here seem to have nothing but junk, but I think it's a reflection of the area's economic level. This isn't a posh or rich part of the country, so by the time something is used so often it's ready for donation, it should really be sent to recycling or the landfill. :/ People here tend to hang onto the nice things they acquire, until they're absolutely useless. (And then they still donate! I imagine the thrift shops here are just intermediaries who take the junk to the landfill for the donor, honestly.) Garage sales are just about as bad. I never seem to find anything at them save for old underwear and broken-beyond-repair furniture, though I remember my MiL used to find all kinds of treasures. I just don't have her knack, I guess.
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I live in America and have never seen the thrift shops you see on videos--even ones run by the same charity here seem to have nothing but junk, but I think it's a reflection of the area's economic level. This isn't a posh or rich part of the country, so by the time something is used so often it's ready for donation, it should really be sent to recycling or the landfill. :/ People here tend to hang onto the nice things they acquire, until they're absolutely useless. (And then they still donate! I imagine the thrift shops here are just intermediaries who take the junk to the landfill for the donor, honestly.) Garage sales are just about as bad. I never seem to find anything at them save for old underwear and broken-beyond-repair furniture, though I remember my MiL used to find all kinds of treasures. I just don't have her knack, I guess.