There was a time, in my youth, when I considered myself too sophisticated to shop in places "like that", when I'd sneer at the idea of "second hand". (I was so full of my own opinions of what was "right" that I'm surprised, in hindsight, that anyone could have stood my company).
Then I discovered poverty, and with that came humility, and the biting need of necessity.
Perversely, perhaps, I think my best bargain was a one eyed teddy bear who came home and was fitted with an eye patch, and named Travis (an obscure reference to a character in a late 70's BBC science fiction story).
Not, perhaps, a necessity, but then maybe companionship is a necessity in itself.
Charity shops are a gold mine, not only for the bargains to be had, but for the quiet observation of the people who shop there.
There's the youngsters buying 'retro' clothes because they're fashionable, the bargain hunters, and every so often there's the people who buy knitted jumpers to unpick them, and re-knit them, and they are the truly poor, the people who are most deserving of charity.
Op shops, thrift shops, they're interesting places. There's a time in my life when they were 'the mall".
I have walked a mile in another man's shoes - they cost me $5 but they were worth every cent.
That's a great post ecar. Beautifully written. I hope you still have Travis. 
A friend bought a watch for $10 in a Savers store.
Turns out to be an IWC, only handmade watch in the world. Worth thousands.
