charity shops

16011996

yep, i got three in a week bout a fortnight ago, how silly is that. and all to be collected on the same day.

klondyke

I get p***d off when I have scurried round to fill a charity bag and left it out on the right day - and they don't collect >:(

Going back to earlier points (cos I haven't been in this thread for a while)

they put up notices to say they can't accept any more donations

and the point that if charity shops turned their stuff over faster, that problem wouldn't arise.

True, but I've been learning things during my weekly stint at Oxfam. In fact most volunteers come in once or twice a week and specialise in (say) men's clothes/bric a brac/books. Even if they were willing to come more often, the backrooms aren't normally big enough for us all to be sorting different things at the same time - hence particular categories may only have one person working on them for a couple of hours a week (rest of shift may be on till, or whatever).

If lots of donations come in between shifts, there is literally no room to move; nor can the stock be turned over till someone can devote their attention to it

Believe me, we hate turning it down, but are often well aware that other charity shops further down the road may be shorter of that category - so please don't be offended if we suggest taking it to a different one 'this time'.

Someone was asking about recycling rags - yes, a tiny amount is paid to Oxfam per black sack of textiles (around 10p I think); but think of the time it takes to sort through the donations, only to find lots of them have to be recycled or thrown out.

We would be able to turn stuff over much faster if people didn't assume we make lots of money from rags ;D and they took these to a local recycling place, leaving charities with the saleable items.

Just thought you'd like to know.

16011996

thanks for that klondike, its interesting.

Allexie

Thanks klondike

Good to have a different perspective......

16011996

sadly there is nowhere near me that recycles textiles so i always put them in the oxfam clothing bank, i'd rather they get some use from them. if anyone knows somewhere in lancashire that takes them, i'd be grateful to know.

Furniture_man

>:( >:( >:( >:(

Last week, someone delivering plastic bags on behalf of a charity, tried to stuff these bags through my sealed letter box. Staring them in the face is my mail box.
They forced open a sealed letter box, and I was`not best pleased.

Hope they find their plastic bags in the road where I left them.
;D ;D ;D ;D

cathy_3

Where I live, we are totally overrun with charity shops. Our town centre is wick, with very few decent shops due to the out of town centres we have dotted around the outskirts. I have heard that another reason for this is that the rates are simply so expensive the the indepentant trader cannot afford to pay them. There is quite a lot of resentment towards the charity shops as their rates are very low. Everyone complains that we don't get many visitors to the town, but why would we when all there is to do is look in charity shops. Please don't misunderstand me, I'm not saying that this is the fault of the charity shops, but perhaps the council need to look at their rates system. I personnally love charity shops but you can have too many.

(sorry - this rant is perhaps a little off subject!)

was in Wick last week, loads of flaming charity shops and nothing much else
have to agree

off topic but I have to congratulate you on your gala

I was sitting in the car and 4 pot noodles walked past me!! exellent stuff

lol

16011996

[tt]I was sitting in the car and 4 pot noodles walked past me!! [/tt] had to read that twice. ;D

16011996

why did it put it in in small writing.

I was sitting in the car and 4 pot noodles walked past me!!

last week stuff gllowed red, now its tiny. think i need help.