No it’s not taking advantage of anyone who doesn’t already have those items available to give. Asking for money to fund an emergency but really using it to buy a luxury item would be tacky. Asking a rich person if they want to give away an unwanted item isn’t. Really, asking anyone if they want to give away an unwanted item isn’t tacky. If you have something you don’t want, need, or use and you weren’t already trying to sell it for extra cash, why be mad someone else wants it? If you are willing to donate it to a thrift shop for free, how is that different from donating it to an individual? And people donate expensive luxury items, as well. That’s why Goodwill also has boutiques for their fancier donations.