Vinnies Toowoomba hosts first ever car park sale event, with customers scoring winter bargains

Hundreds of residents ran to the Vinnies Toowoomba car park sale, with the local store’s first ever event a major success.

With winter well and truly on the Darling Downs’ doorstep, there’s no better time for residents to stock up on those cold weather essentials.

Vinnies Toowoomba held its first ever “fill a bag” event on Saturday, with hundreds of eager customers filling the car park just within the first hour.

The most popular items were of course those essential winter warmers such as jackets, blankets and pyjamas, with customers filling a bag for just $10.

Vinnies Toowoomba store manager Wendy Morgan points out the huge crows for their first ever car park sale on Saturday, June 28. Photo: Jessica Klein

Vinnies retail operations manager Adam Bruggerman said there was nothing but bargains on offer, with items selling like hot cakes.

“The team has spent quite a bit of time sorting through items and there’s some real treasures to be found,” Mr Bruggerman said.

“There’s a lot of branded winter, linen and manchester items up for grabs.”

Packed with bargains at the Vinnies Toowoomba car park sale (from left) Chris Mitchell and Brittany Robinson on Saturday, June 28. Photo: Jessica Klein

Mr Bruggerman said the store was previously reluctant to hold such events given the small size of its adjoining car park.

Still receiving a steady flow of donations to the store, Mr Bruggerman said the quality of items had been quite good.

“We put out quality product and that’s what people come here to shop for,” he said.

“The event is a great opportunity for people to come down and grab a bargain.”

Renee and Riley searching for winter warmers at the Vinnies Toowoomba car park sale on Saturday, June 28. Photo: Jessica Klein

The Ruthven St store is always on the hunt for quality preloved items, with residents encouraged to drop off any household items they no longer need.

Mr Bruggerman said the store also experienced large volumes of donations to bins located around the city, seeing many of them left overflowing despite being obviously full.

Natasha and sons Ignatius (L) and Hank (R) searching for a bargain at the Vinnies Toowoomba car park sale on Saturday, June 28. Photo: Jessica Klein

For this reason, Vinnies has removed its donation bins from around the city, with just the one located outside the Ruthven St store.

“We’ve definitely seen less of that since removing those other donation bins, and we find most people have been quite respectful to our volunteer staff when dropping off items,” Mr Bruggerman said.