An Australian mother has expressed her frustrations at the outrageously high prices for second-hand items at a surgery store.
Mother-of-six Nicole Preece had no problem calling out the exorbitant prices recently spotted at her local Salvation Army store in Melbourne.
Ms Preece claimed that not only were almost all of the items for sale unaffordable, but several of them were filthy, including a pair of “heavily stained” $12 sneakers that “smelled like the family cat had just peed in them.”
Other “bargains” included $280 rugs filled with “dog or cat hair,” a pair of $28 jeans with a “crispy crotch,” while a second-hand karaoke machine would have cost her $299.
It didn’t come with a microphone, but it did come with a set of drum sticks, until Ms. Preece realized they were sold separately for $15.
The passionate shopper called out the Salvation Army over the high prices, claiming to be ‘there for those less fortunate who need them most’.
An Australian mother (pictured) is shocked by the prices at her local Salvation Army after finding a second-hand rug for $280 and a karaoke machine (pictured) for $299
She posted a four-minute post on TikTok, which has since racked up nearly a million views and thousands of comments.
Aussies were equally outraged by exorbitant prices in thrift stores aimed at helping those who were struggling.
“I’ve literally seen charity shops charge double the price for a brand new Anko Kmart,” one viewer commented.
Another added: ‘I think they’ve overpriced the lower income people.’
A third wrote: ‘I donate a lot of good quality clothes (and) I’ve never seen anything this good in these stores.
One viewer said they had noticed anti-theft tags on items in charity shops.
“If people have to steal from a store, that’s proof that it’s too expensive there,” they wrote.
Another suggested shoppers ask staff if an item is from old stock, saying: ‘If it is, they will be happy to reduce the price.’
The Salvation Army’s website states that consumers can find “secondhand or vintage pieces at an affordable price” in their stores across the country.
“For those who are struggling, second-hand furniture, clothing and goods donated to our stores are distributed free of charge to those in need through The Salvation Army’s community programs,” the website said.
The charity adds that all profits from in-store sales will go towards its community programmes.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted The Salvation Army Australia for comment.