MMD: Would you tell a charity shop that a Chloe bag was under-priced?

Owlwings

A marked price is an offer to sell at that price. Most charity shops these days do their research and price things accordingly. They are, of course, a shop like any other. Most people will buy things they actually want at a price they think is reasonable (and in most cases all of the money goes to the charity). If the shop has made a mistake in pricing through imperfect research, that is their responsibility and I know of many charity shop staff who might even admit a glaring error once it was at the till and rejoice that their customer has a bargain! The occasional bargain actually brings customers back to the shop. Consistent overpricing tends to stop people shopping there.

I would buy it (if I knew or suspected what it was) to sell. If I made a substantial profit, I would very likely share a proportion of it either with the charity I bought it from or with another.

JayD

Well, I have no interest in designer bags and probably wouldn't know one if it bit me, but assuming I did, I would certainly tell the ladies what they had and advise them to sell it on eBay - which is what most charity shops seem to do with their 'swankier' gear thses days.

After all, despite their stuff being given to them free, they do still have overheads to meet from their sales before anything they make can go to the charity they are supporting. To keep stum would ultimately be depriving a needy cause and smacks of immorality.

Skyhigh

I'd snap it up and sell it.

Many organised charity shops, such as Oxfam are no longer a haven for cheap bargains on many things, since....they're all checking online (mostly ebay or amazon) for prices of things. This is good for the chairty.
The benefit is though, that you're not just buying it 2nd hand, you're contributing to a charity

Infact, I used to go to a local 2nd hand bookshop in Hull while I was a student a couple of years ago and pick up 1st editions and signed copies of books for say £2-£7 and then ebay them for £20-£150.

Then Oxfam opened up opposite them, undercut them... as they don't need as high profits....and caused them (and a few other independent shops on the street) to close - even though said independent shops did contact Oxfam about the problems they were causing....without a very helpful reply too - as hey, its just business!

Well, if you don't know the value of your own stock and your willing to be the majority contributor to closing several independent local businesses, then hey - it's only business.

[Notes: It was a 'new' Oxfam shop, which is nothing like your usual charity shop, but more like a small convenience/goods/books/music/cards/clothes store]

lyndorset

Id snap it up, if I liked it use it for a while and then stick on ebay, where I would give at least 50% to charity.

JayD

saz36 wrote: »

I would definately snatch up the bargain. Everything in charity shops is DONATED and not cost the charities a penny, therefore they've not lost anything by selling a designer brand at £5. :mad:

True but they do still have overheads to meet - despite the shops being staffed by volunteers, they have to have to pay for light, heat, security, cleaning, general admin expenses and council rates too.
The money received from what they sell does not give them 100% profit back by any means.

BUT I do agree that most charity shops have got greedy/unrealistic with their pricing and I often find that I can buy something brand new for a lower price elsewhere.

Maybe they need to be reminded that they are little more than well organised jumble sales and although they need to cover their overheads, they certainly are not in the same league as even the cheapest retail outlets and should price their stuff accordingly.

Sharp_Eyes

lnr wrote: »

Definitely snap it up! Makes a change for charity shops to underprice something, I can't believe some of the prices in charity shops lately - sometimes more than they cost new in the shops!!

:T Yes! Yes! Thought it was just me that thought this! I would snap it up in a hurry!!!

Skyhigh

JayD wrote: »

they have to have to pay for light, heat, security, cleaning, general admin expenses and council rates too.
The money received from what they sell does not give them 100% profit back by any means.
BUT I do agree that most charity shops have got greedy/unrealistic with their pricing and I often find that I can buy something brand new for a lower price elsewhere.

Good comment, they do have overheads but charities do get reduced rates on gas/electric/water, rebates, reduced council tax, insurances, etc. So it's still vastly cheaper than running a normal business - but this is exactly how many are trying to act, especially with the recent pricing changes which can make them more expensive than buying new or online.

sunshine_shell

I'd snap it up straight away... sorry!

special_k83

Of course not! I'd buy it and put it on eBay.

KM4868

At my neice's school jumble sale I told a guy who was selling paperback books in mint condition 3 for £1 that it was too cheap. He said: "okay, I'll charge 50p each or 3 for £1!". Some people just can't me told.

If I saw the Chloe bag I will tell the shop that they are selling it far too cheaply and would advise them to sell it on Ebay.