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Is it morally right for economically comfortable families to shop at thrift stores?

Asked by ArtiqueFox (974points) February 15th, 2010

I live near a needy area. Naturally, there are several thrift and “donation” stores, which of course get customers who can not afford the higher grade and new when it comes to clothing.

Today, though, I was on my way past one such thrift store, when I saw a Cadillac parked out front. Then a man came out with almost more clothes then he could carry. His “little” pile of used clothes made quite the contrast when compared to his snappy attire. Based on what I saw, I am confident he could have afforded to shop elsewhere…a higher quality elsewhere.

Is it morally right for people in a higher economic bracket [like him] to shop at thrift stores? Especially when there are poor people in the area who can’t afford anything but thrift stores? Seems like cheapskate robbery to me. What does the collective think?

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