A Vinnies store has apologized and removed a blue Lacoste polo shirt from sale after customers complained about its price and poor quality, which included a significant hole.
The shirt was priced at $16, a fraction of the $150 cost for a new version of the same brand. Customers reportedly found the $16 price tag excessive given the shirt's condition.
A Vinnies spokesman stated that the item should not have been offered for sale and was an oversight in the charity's inspection process. "We apologise for the condition of the item that was available for sale in one of our shops," the spokesman said. "The item has been removed from sale and should not have been offered for purchase."
The spokesman explained that the store's pricing is determined by a guide that considers the general second-hand market value and the garment's quality. He added that while the charity processes hundreds of thousands of donated items annually and conducts multiple manual inspections, errors can occasionally occur.
This incident follows similar customer criticisms regarding Vinnies' pricing. In one instance, a customer reported finding muddy boots priced at $30 and a used drink bottle for $8, with the lid and straw described as unsanitary. Other reported items included a broken shifter for $8, a dirty coat for $50, well-worn shoes for $25, and a dirty dress for $70.
Online, some shoppers have commented that prices at some charity shops now exceed those at mainstream retailers. One shopper noted seeing a glass baking dish priced at $20 in a Vinnies store, while the identical item was available at Target for $12.