I am not entirely sure what the owner's purpose for running this op shop is. It doesn't appear to…read morebe for a charity, but prices are so cheap that I can't really see it as a place for people who want to make wads of folding money. The only other possibility I can think of is that the owners/workers are passionate about thrift in general, or maybe about recycling and cutting down waste, but I really don't know. Whatever their motives the result is an op shop that has items that are dirt cheap. I often find myself scurrying quickly away from the place in case they change their mind and charge me double on my items--that's right, a whole 80 cents, that's almost a $1! There is even an area outside and to the right of the entrance that has a sign "FREE" where items are free for people to take. No matter how many times you double check, they really mean it, that area is free. From the free zone I've wombled home wine glasses and shoe preservation boxes. Inside the store is three rooms: one for clothes, one for kitchenalia, and one for bric-a-brac and books. They've said they also have a furniture section but if there is one I couldn't work out how to get there but my guess is that it is next door to the main shop.

Suggest people search www.secondchanceinc.org to find out what this charity is all about. The…read morefurniture section is huge and is at 131 Richmond Road, Richmond, 5042. A very worthwhile organisation!

The Repat op shop is truly a neighbourhood op shop. Situated within the hospital grounds, it is a…read morefairly small-medium sized op shop. Not big on women's clothing, you will find them but don't expect the latest fashion trends though. There are plenty of children's clothing here, I spotted some branded names from Pumpkin Patch, Esprit and the usual suspects from Target and Big W. You will find men's clothing too, as in all op shops, with the usual basic staples. They have a good range of preloved books and shoes. They have a good collection of bric a brac. Tupperware fans will spot some here. The occasional candle holders in every shape and height usually grace the shelves and normal dining products at great prices. Prices are low and if you're lucky you'll find some vintage stuff here, I spotted a Glomesh bag. Win.

Funds from this Charity Op Shop go towards vulnerable children and families…read more Puddle Jumpers Inc.- They do a great job in providing camps for children who do not live with their birth parents, fostered children and their carers. There is also a Monday 'Community Food Night', where families who are finding it a struggle can get free food, free haircuts and a nice hot meal, while the children play in a big playground. All this is presented in a safe environment. Plus they do more. xx

An op shop in a shed! How good can this be, seriously? Tucked behind the St Marys Anglican Church,…read morethis little jewel begs to be discovered. Prices are extremely, and I repeat extremely low and they have some fantastic stock here. Shelves, counters, racks, baskets and cupboards brim with homewares, linen, clothing, children's items and I even spotted a vintage corner with a tired looking yet elegant wallets and Victorian inspired brooches. I adore linen, those fringed with lace and soft needlework and I found plenty here much to my satisfaction. I picked up a set of four table mats with matching napkins, embrodiered with Christmas candle and baubles for a mere $5. I literally jumped for joy as I found my perfect Christmas linen that will frame our dining table this Christmas. I did another leap when I spotted a Tupperware cake carrier, which will also act as a cupcake carrier. Double joy. An ardent baking fan, I scooped this for $5. Who needs Tupperware parties when you can op shop for these items at a fraction of the cost! A adorable and baby blue eyed kitten door stopper caught my eye and I had to bring this baby home. $2 there plus I had to add another jewellery box to my already large collection, and did so with a wooden box depicting three Vietnamese ladies in their traditional costumes ($5). I love love loveeeee this op shop and was so glad I found this place. You must visit this op shop and brag to everyone that you op shopped in a shed!

Op shops are less a thing of wonder for boys than they are for girls. Girls are often overwhelmed…read moreby the amount of good finds they find in your regular op shop, whereas most guys I know will walk out with an item or two (if anything at all). This might make it hard to judge an op shop. But op shops are difficult to review for other reasons too. It's hard to commend an op shop for its stock, since they don't really have any control over it, and most items are unique and, once bought, never to be seen again. And 'character' is a word with little meaning reviewers like to use to fill up page space or race toward the minimum word count. So, what can I say? I found two shirts and a cardigan (which goes wonderfully with my pipe, wineglass, and all the other tools I use to adhere pathetically to the writer cliché). And the op shop's in a shed. The end.

I cannot begin to describe how absolutely cheap this op shop is. Compared to the bigger names out…read morethere, this op shop is modest and humble. You won't find trendy or upmarket clothing here but there are plenty of basic staple clothing pieces to complement your exisiting fashionable wardrobe. Winter wear is fantastic here, I've picked up plenty of turtle necks, sweaters and cardi's last winter. There is one section largely dedicated for the ladies and on a good day, you will find a decent dress at a fab price. The scarves and blouses range is reasonably good. For those who enjoy knitting, there is a good supply here. This is the best place to shop for kids though. Prices are low and the stock is plentiful. I onced picked up an Esprit jacket for my son, I must have paid $6 for it. Plenty of linen and beddings to peruse here. As all op shop, this store run by the Church of the Trinity donate its proceeds to Act of Peace, Free To Be Kids, Doctors Without Borders, Christian Blind Mission and many other local charitable needs. I love coming here and showing them my support as I know my money will go to a worthy cause. Check out the $1 clothing rack parked just outside their entrance. This op shop seems to receive bread donations, so quite often, the friendly volunteers will happily offer you a loaf home.

Love this hidden gem! $1-2 rack out the front including shoes and bags and clothes for all. Inside…read morethe prices are all quite good generally all around the $5 mark. The friendly staff offer you free baked bread as well! Keep your eyes peeled for hidden treasures I have found many!

I used to make a special effort to get to this lovely op shop on the other side of town…read more Now I find their prices match the big commercial op shops so it's not worth bothering. If you live near by you can probably afford to shop there and they do often get quality stuff so it's worth checking out.

Run by Clayton-Wesley Uniting Church , all profits from the op shop goes to the local and…read moreinternational outreach programs. With a chapel-inspired shaped door, this op shop is fantastic with prices and good stock. Rows of wooden racks displaying women's clothing, men's clothing, kids clothing and vintage tops are aplenty. I spotted some pretty evening dress shoes, most going for under $10. Am sure most ladies can relate to how expensive shoes are nowadays. Expect to find lots of Mummy groups here as they dive into kids international brands, such as Pumpkin Patch, Esprit and Gap, all going for great prices. I spotted plenty of vintage furnitures and stunning bric a brac pieces. This has got to be one of the cheapest op shop in the city. Bring a bag or two to stock up at your next visit. Caution: Highly addictive!

Any southern suburbs Op-Shop/Second-hand aficionado worth their salt knows about this shop/sale…read more Every first Sunday of the month (unless a public holiday conflict should postpone it until the following weekend) the sale Brigadoons the sheded area by the train tracks, bringing mystical treasures with it. The Lions Club of Brighton volunteers are friendly and helpful and wander around in yellow and navy uniforms to pay and assist. Although most are quite a bit older than me, they're all fun and easy to talk to, always ready for a chit chat or a joke. They're good eggs. The sale operates for fundraising purposes for the club and the many charity and motivational programs that it runs. They can give change but I'd bring some. If you want some absolute steals then I suggest getting there as close to 9am as possible, as along with op-shop enthusiasts, antique/second-hand dealers also know about this sale and tend to get in right on the gate's opening. This place has a massive range of bric-a-brac, furniture, tools, books, records and clothes (see photos), so chances are if you are looking for something in particular it will be there, or show up one Sunday. Despite the place having everything, it also has a big turnover of goods/donations and each Sunday it'll have one of a kind items (the like of which you will not get elsewhere). It's not the place to consider buying something, it won't be there again when you go back. For example, Sunday a month ago I considered buying this giant Statue of David alcohol bottle and this Sunday looked, nope, not there. What was there this Sunday for me was a vintage chrome and formica sewing table for $5, a hat with a $250 tag still inside also for $5, and an amazing jacket that makes me look the business. I also bought a replacement guitar hero guitar for my brother which they've said if it doesn't work I can return to the bookshop on Thursday. On Thursdays during the week the Lions Club of Brighton run the bookshop portion of this sale. Some hard to find books are here and everything is labelled and in separate sections for easy browsing.

A hidden op shop gem. Full of all sorts, this is one of the bigger op shops I have come across…read more The staff are volunteers and the shop is integrated into the minda home. Those who live in the home can come in and take anything they want - it truly is touching to see the kids come in eagerly looking for new toys that have arrived. Unfortunately the store is only open on Mondays from 9-12 but the staff are lovely and very helpful when you're looking for something specific. When partaking in love performance, this is the first place I come to for costume ideas.

The new Australian Red Cross Superstore recently opened up next door to my favourite St Vinnies…read moreop-shop, opposite the Findon Library and Shopping Centre. Needless to say, I got pretty excited. Sadly, while it is undoubtedly enormous, the excess of products doesn't improve the overall quality. The store conforms to the slightly higher prices of Red Cross shops, and there wasn't anything good enough to warrant paying more than I would next door. They have lot of new clothing, some of which is quite awful - dresses that have the sides cut out of them to be only a bikini top, strip over the belly and a skirt (reminiscent of that horrible fashion of bathers). The second-hand clothing is much more normal, and there is a LOT of it, in women's, men's and children, and for once the latter two sections are fully stocked. What I really like about this shop is that it colour codes its sections, thus, being a person who only likes certain colours, I can go straight to the green section and avoid all others. The men's section made me chuckle, because I can see guys being quite happy to beeline to their favourite chunk of colour; for making shopping easier, we thank you Red Cross. I also enjoy how the whole store is set out neatly and tidily. It has a calming feel about it, appealing to the small voice of OCD inside many of us. The book corner, while neat and attractive, sadly doesn't have much substance. Half the entire stock is "Adult Fiction" while the rest is just not-so-great fiction. I didn't spot any authors I'm keen on, except a battered Stephen King and a Simone de Beauvoir in the original French. However, I won't judge too harshly too soon. Op-shops often need time to develop and get in some good stock, so I'll be back in a month or two to check out its development.

Op shops work hard to put all our off-casts to good use, and this store is no exception. With a…read morehuge range of well organised stock, I personally have found many treasures over the years of visiting and the strong customer base is testament to this store being worth a visit. The previous reviewer does not seem to understand that op shopping is a commitment to patience and gratitude for the gems that are frequently found, but not by those expecting to find them served up on a silver platter, with a minimum of effort. With four other big op shops a step away, this Red Cross is an op shopper's delight!