Casey thought she had scored a bargain at an op-shop… but her argument with a staff member over the real price has exposed a huge issue across Australia

A frustrated shopper has slammed a Salvation Army store after she was charged nearly 10 times more than what she was expecting to pay for a second-hand notepad. 

Casey said she entered the op-shop and found the floral note-pad apparently labelled as 50c. But when she went to pay, she was told the price was actually $4.50.

‘So I walk up to the charity shop counter with this and my 50c already in hand. Pop it down, hand the lady my 50c. She goes, “Oh no, that’s $4.50”,’ Casey said in a TikTok. 

‘I said, “Oh, I thought it said 50 cents”, and as I’m digging through my wallet, trying to grab the other coins – because I’m not going to argue with the charity shop – she goes, “I’m not going to argue with you. If you think it says 50 cents, then whatever”.’ 

Casey said it looked like the label featured a semi-colon followed by the number 50. 

‘I need to make sure I’m not going insane,’ she said in the clip. 

‘Guys, does this say 50c or $4.50?’

Casey said the problem went far beyond the overpriced notepad, and that second-hand items in op-shops were now ‘exorbitant’. 

Casey said the thought the price tag read 50c, not $4.50 like the volunteer clerk insisted (pictured is the price tag on the flower-patterned notepad)

She ended the video by noting she had paid the additional $4 for the item.

‘You’re an elderly volunteer at a Salvation Army, and it is Tuesday. I didn’t come here to be gas-lit,’ Casey said.

‘I’m thinking (is she) actually married to Saint Vincent de Paul himself? Like you’re licking his boot, babe.

‘It’s like… price it up properly then. 

‘What if I was someone who was actually struggling, on my last 50 cents, and you treated me like that at a charity shop?’

Dozens of Aussies admitted they were also being priced out of op-shops.

‘With rising prices, you think op shops would’ve stayed cheap for that very reason so people that can’t afford stuff can actually still buy stuff,’ one person said. 

‘Is it even possible to find things that cheap in op-shops anymore?’ another wrote. 

Shoppers online said op-shops were supposed to help those in need not sell donated goods for ‘top dollar’ (the inside of a Salvation Army is pictured)

‘I refuse to shop in op-shops now,’ a third commented. 

‘I’m low income with four kids, I was raised on op-shop clothes myself – my mum could dress six kids on a $12 fill-a-bag – and I actually loved the hunt, but I can’t afford to shop there anymore. 

‘It’s either Kmart or Shein or Facebook as it’s cheaper. (Op-shops) aren’t targeted towards struggling people anymore which is sad.’

‘I love when you go to op shops and they have Anko shirts – shirts that you buy at Kmart for around $7 – for sale for $10 plus,’ another said.

However, one viewer credited the stores in more regional areas. 

‘I live in an undesirable low income rural town and the op shop ladies are the best. They constantly discount already cheap stuff and give out freebies,’ they wrote.

Casey is not the first shopper to publicly denounce the prices at op-shops.

Courtney Leigh Hollins lashed out in April, blasting a Salvation Army in Western Australia for pricing a table at $400 and a cream couch at $240. 

Aussies have questioned some of the ridiculously high prices at op-shops (stock image)

‘Imagine struggling in this economy and coming to the Salvos for help,’ she wrote online.

‘I’m so done with huge corporations like the Salvos who make millions per year and we still have families on the streets. Charity is just a big business.’

Other items in the op shop included a $25 single duvet, a $250 wooden cabinet and another $600 piece of furniture. 

Queensland op-shopper Jennifer Zervas was shocked after finding a simple carry basket at a north Brisbane Vinnies was marked at $60.

‘$60 for what? Oh my God, man, are you actually serious?’ she asked.

‘I just am blown away.’