Freecycling Vs Ebay/Car boot sales

rubix_76

Just reading the last two posts, it reminds me of the first time I tried taking an electrical item to a charity shop. I was practically kicked out of the shop, as they couldn't guarantee the safety of the item, so they had to refuse it !!

That item went to the tip which I thought was such a waste, but that was pre-freecycle, so no worries now then.

cmh4135

Rubix,

The chrity shops have no alternative but to refuse the item because legally they will be selling the item on. If it injures someone who purchases it, in theory the charity could be sued.

By donating the items to be used directly by the charities or voluntary organisations you don't hit this problem... chances are, they will check the items out anyway as part of their own health and safety obligations.

Why not have a look at http://www.nacvs.org.uk/ to see if there is an umbrella organisation near you who may be happy to send out emails of goods offered?

arkonite_babe

The only way a charity can sell an electrical item is to have it safety tested, have a full history and then a safety certificate to say that it has been tested etc

As electrical equipment testing is so expensive, per item, is it any wonder that charity shops refuse electrical equipment??

arkonite_babe

Oh and the same goes for kids car seats, cot mattresses, crash helmets and bike helmets. As the history can't be guarunteed, (IE that they have not been damaged or compromised in any way) they cannot be safely sold on. If you do see these in a charity shop, thay are breaking the law by selling them on.

rubix_76

arkonite_babe wrote:

is it any wonder that charity shops refuse electrical equipment??

Yea, I know, it's just a shame that's all. I used to electrical safety test hospital equipment, so I know all about what is good and bad. That's the way of the world now, with all this litigation and suing etc, shame, never mind eh. :huh:

arkonite_babe wrote:

Oh and the same goes for kids car seats, cot mattresses, crash helmets and bike helmets.

We have a second hand shop (not charity) that sells all these things, I am suprised that they can get away with this, in case there are problems with the stuff they sell. All our stuff that we bought for our little one was brand new for this very reason.

Rubix