Over the last few years in every town or city, there has been a surge of second-hand charity shops opening up on the high street, all selling the same type of items and all within a few hundred yards of each other.

This competition has resulted in a price war driving the value of good quality second-hand furniture through the floor and resulting in the lower value item's becoming worthless.

In the end, most good quality second-hand furniture and general household items now have a relatively low value so unlike in the past charities that collect furniture will only take the better quality items leaving you with the rest to clear at your expense.