0_Apprentice
I love to shop at the thrift stores that benefit charities, do you?
1_Wizard
They are ok. The best things to get at thrift stores is clothing.  But it is still a business that feeds a capitalistic venture. 
0_Apprentice
Oh in my area its a retail establishment run by a charitable organization to raise money
1_Wizard
Yes they raise money and meet a minilnal requirement to legally be considered charity but they still have a CEO who owns a mansion. . 
0_Apprentice
Oh ok are the people that work there volunteers?
1_Wizard
I don't know.  Maybe some are but they also have dedicated employees and operating costs to remain in business. 
0_Apprentice
Is it easy for them to make a profit since most items are donated to them?
1_Wizard
Yes, since the items are given for free they can then sell them at competitive prices. 
0_Apprentice
Ok I noticed the big name ones in my area don't price competetively? They charge top dollar!
1_Wizard
Yes, that is what I'm talking about.  It is just below what the item is brand new. One of the earliest charity shops was in Wolverhampton Society for the Blind.  But now they are multimillion dollar businesses. 