J
1880 days ago

What is it about Op shops?

Judi from Kamo

What is it about Op shops that makes people so bold?
I love browsing in Op shops and if I'm in a new place and find an Op shop, you can guarantee I'm going to have a look. I've even been known to plan my holidays around visits to Op shops further down the country. There's something special about the feel when you find something to buy- could be about embracing recycling, being eco-friendly, finding something to match an already owned set or a walk in the past.
Whatever it is, I see something I love/need/want and if the price is right, I'm happy to support that organisation and make a purchase.
The thing I don't like much is the growing boldness of a few other customers.
Recently, I found a pretty plate in a local charity shop. As I continued to wander around, a complete stranger (another cstomer) confronted me.
She: What have you found? Let me have a look.
Me: It's just a pretty plate I like.
She: It might be valuable- let me look at the mark on the back of it.
At this stage, I turned and walked away. It wasn't anything valuable, just a pretty plate made by an English manufacturer...but what business was it of hers? If it had been a Ming dynasty charger (I'm sure that I would not recognise one if I fell over it, but it sounds flash) would she have wrestled it off me and claimed it as her own purchase/ rushed to the counter and told them to call a museum/ or loudly demand that they put the price up???!!!
Just last week I wandered into an Op shop in Thames. I found a carving I really liked, slightly damaged according to the sticker on it and at a price I was happy with, given the minor imperfections. I didn't really take a lot of notice of the older woman who entered the shop a few minutes after me.
After I had wandered all around the shop and finally to the counter to pay, I found myself standing directly behind the said woman as she was being served. I heard her say out loud "Now, where is she?" She scanned around the shop before finally turning away from the counter and realising there was someone behind her. " Oh, there you are" she said. ( I then realised she must have been stalking me all around the shop and had somehow 'lost' me).
" What have you got there? Let me see" she demanded. I told her it was just a carving that I liked and was going to purchase, without letting her examine it. I then paid for it and left the shop.
What is it about Op shops that lets people think it's ok to accost others and demand to see what they have chosen? Would they do this is in a gift shop/ Harvey Norman's/ any other shop? It's bad manners in my mind and if they get a terse reply (or no reply) to their demand to see what I have found, maybe they should learn from it.
Have others experienced this and how do you respond to being accosted?

More messages from your neighbours
1 hour ago

Roading contractors have made a good start for the summer programme

The Team from Whangarei District Council

The District’s road repair season is off to a good start, with a third of summer’s rehabilitation projects completed.

Infrastructure Chairman Simon Reid says sections of Russell Road (Whakapara), Marua and Snooks roads have already been renewed.

“This year, we have been closing roads and detouring traffic around some worksites to reduce the overall time spent on the repairs, so teams can move onto new jobs faster. It has already paid off, cutting weeks from the timeframes so far.”

Over the next three months, Fulton Hogan will complete two sections of Pipiwai Road (central and north), Tatton Road and Roydon Drive, while Downer will rehabilitate sections of Three Mile Bush Road South, Raumanga Valley Road and Flyger Road.

Seal extensions are also scheduled for sections of McLean Road (south) and Gray Road (north).

“We are currently working on Pipiwai Road, next to the Northland Golf Club, and the job should be completed early in December. We will then start preparing Three Mile Bush Road and Pipiwai Road, by Matarau Road.”

Councillor Reid says design work for the rest of the sites is almost complete, and the whole programme should be complete by March 2025 if the weather holds.

“When overnight temperatures have risen enough, we will start repairs to sites where gravel stripped off the seal after a sudden cold snap during last year’s construction season. We will report back on that in coming weeks. The contractors will cover the cost of those repairs."

📷 Shown here: Culvert replacement on Mangapai Road, with a temporary alternative route built to keep traffic off the work-site.

Image
6 hours ago

Calling All Puzzle Masters! Can You Solve This?

Riddler from The Neighbourly Riddler

When John was six years old he hammered a nail into his favorite tree to mark his height.
Ten years later at age sixteen, John returned to see how much higher the nail was.
If the tree grew by five centimetres each year, how much higher would the nail be?

Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.

Want to stop seeing riddles in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.

Image
6 hours ago

Win this brand new home!

Heart Foundation Lottery

Experience the perfect blend of country charm and city convenience in Clarks Beach, Auckland!

For just $15 a ticket, you could win this brand-new, fully furnished Jennian home, valued at over $1 million.

This home offers three bedrooms, spacious kitchen and living areas, and a double garage.

Whether you decide to make it your dream home, a holiday retreat, a rental property or simply sell it, it’s still a life-changing prize.

Don’t wait—get your tickets today at heartlottery.org.nz.
Find out more

Image