For those who haven’t heard the fabulous news, Salvos has an online op shop as of May last year – although it’s more like an op-megastore, with about 60,000 items listed and 1,700 new items added per day on average.

Although the project has been in the works for a while, Salvation Army spokesperson Wendy Hateley said the website’s launch was fast-tracked because of the pandemic. 

“All the reasons to shop second-hand still stand true during lockdown. One hundred per cent of profits from any Salvation Army stores are put back into our programs, whether that be for domestic violence refuge, homelessness shelter, food distribution, natural disaster relief, or alcohol and drug rehabilitation. That is where your money is going when you shop from us.”

From Victoria to WA, 220 of Salvos physical stores are listing their products online, separating their online presence from other major Australian op shops that mostly stick to listing vintage and valuables.

“So far, we have sold 115,000 items through the online store since its beginnings in May 2020 and have shipped 92,000 orders to customer doorsteps across the nation,” said Ms Hateley.

An avid lover of all things second-hand, CW fashion and beauty editor Anja de Rozario had to get onboard. After purchasing multiple packages from Salvos stores all around Australia, here are some pros and cons she found of shopping Salvos through the net.

CONS

Be mindful of delivery during lockdown. While click and collect is available for areas not in lockdown, here in Canberra ordering for delivery is our only route. Salvos Online doesn’t provide the option to leave packages unattended, or to select your delivery time, so shopping can be difficult if you are an essential worker.

Luckily for most, you can still get your op-shopping in while stay-at-home orders last. With post offices also restricting their hours, my packages made several trips up and down the coast before I could direct a select few to my parcel locker. Thrifty nine-to-fivers beware!

The search filters could use some work. Salvos Online have made some great developments in the past year, including an array of options to filter by size, style, material, etc.

However, straying outside of the given filters can result in some digging (arguably in true op-shopping manner). If you were to search for a universally-flattering ‘wrap dress’ for example, the option to filter by size becomes unavailable.

You can still filter for price and condition though, and many of the items listed are brand-new with the tags still on! I also recommend browsing via your laptop, as the website tends to lag on phones. Perhaps an app is on the horizon?

PROS

Packaged with gratitude. The Salvos staff mailing items were incredibly kind and grateful for the support during the pandemic. I received multiple handwritten thankyou notes, and personal calls to make sure the items got to me okay. The clothes I ordered were well-packaged and clean, and actually smelt better than in physical op shops!

Postage is affordable. Regardless of where in Australia you purchase from, the postage is wonderfully affordable. Regular post is only $5.50, or $7.50 if you want it express. With so many online shopping websites trying to catch us out with shipping prices (you know who you are), reasonable postage must be nodded to.

It’s all there. Everything you love and miss about op shopping shines through in Salvos Online. There are plenty of curated gems, as well as true op shop prices, and hidden treasures to search for in all the well-known op shop goldmines – Men’s Section, Sleepwear, then bric-a-brac, amiright?

Recycling is good for all. “If you have five spare bucks and you want to help somebody out, then stick it in a donation tin, but if you need to purchase something with that money, you are better off looking at an op-shop … ,” said Ms Hateley.

“Whoever is purchasing from an op-shop is recycling unwanted belongings, and any form of recycling is good for our environment and our community.”

Visit Salvos online store at salvosstores.com.au

Have you had an interesting online shopping experience? Let us know at news@canberradaily.com.au

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