Charity Shop Ignorance

chocsessential

One of my local charity shops states that it opens at 9.30. I got there at 9.30 and waited for 10 minutes in the snow while the people inside took off their coats, walked up and down the stairs and tried to pretend they hadn't seen me. Eventually the man on the till let me in and I handed over my carrier bag of donations (which he thanked me for, I must say). I have been giving them a lot of stuff recently and all good quality. Not any more; I'll be walking to the other shop in future.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

To be fair, a lot of charity shops have car booters/cash in the attic fans banging on their doors at opening time, frantic for moneymaking opportunities. These people (the pointy elbow brigade) aren't bad per se, but I wouldn't hurry to let them in, particularly if it was possible that the clock was a bit slow too (often seen in shops near me).

But sometimes I think a little more appreciation wouldn't go amiss - ignoring customers whilst they have chats about what they have already put aside for themselves can be rather irritating, and when the prices are put up to imply that it is a 'proper shop', I do expect something resembling proper customer service. A fancy colour co-ordinated window display is very nice, but when the goods inside are priced higher than their original selling price and you know the nice stuff in the window is already reserved for the staff, it isn't going to encourage anyone to support their charity.

So if there is something in both local shops, I will always go to the less commercialised and friendlier shop for it, even if it turns out to be more expensive (which is a rare thing because they understand that they are selling other people's cast offs, not a high fashion boutique lifestyle).

PandorasJar

I haven't bothered with Charity shops in a long time. There are hundreds in my parents town, it's over-run by them. I've only been in one with good service and helpful (put up my own charity posters).
Now I give any good clothes I'm getting rid of to a shop that gives me a percentage of them if they sell, and charity ones go in the clothes bins.
I may try them again when I need a new wardrobe overhaul in the summer, now I've moved though
P

Lube

My MIL works in a charity shop one day a week. I think most charity shop works dont get paid so I dont begrudge any of them putting aside any bargains.

My daughter helps out and as part of college work experience in another shop one day a week, she is allowed a freebie every time, but she rarely takes it, they even pay for her travel expenses she is claimed but she has a bus pass so doesn't claim anyway

Oh and apparently its norm that if clothes dont sell within a short space of time it goes to the rag man and they get pittance for the rags

Claire_Bear

This happened in most of the charity shops in Newcastle town centre, only at closing time. They closed earlier than normal shops anyway (about 4.30 if I remember rightly) but you'd get there at 20 past and they'd often be closed anyway.

Littleblue_2

Claire_Bear wrote: »

This happened in most of the charity shops in Newcastle town centre, only at closing time. They closed earlier than normal shops anyway (about 4.30 if I remember rightly) but you'd get there at 20 past and they'd often be closed anyway.

I can understand your frustration but I work for a charity where the shop and animals are on site. Sometimes people volunteer and are fine for a couple of weeks then start phoning in with excuses for not coming in which means the shop has to shut or on some occasions, the sanctuary manager, who is then on her own, goes on the till then shuts a bit earlier to feed the animals.

Most volunteers are great but I think some like the idea they are doing something worthwhile, but seem to think that intent is enough and that turning up is optional, iyswim!

rubysmum

I gave some baby clothes to a charity shop in Bolton a few months ago. I wont do it again. The clothes were excellent quality and i was upset to be giving them up but the woman behind the counter didnt even say thank you! I felt like walking back inot the shop to get them back. I didnt but its definately put me off giving any of my old clothes to charity- i will sell them on ebay instead!

Littleblue_2

rubysmum wrote: »

I gave some baby clothes to a charity shop in Bolton a few months ago. I wont do it again. The clothes were excellent quality and i was upset to be giving them up but the woman behind the counter didnt even say thank you! I felt like walking back inot the shop to get them back. I didnt but its definately put me off giving any of my old clothes to charity- i will sell them on ebay instead!

That's happened to me, too! The woman - at The Children's Society shop - actually looked offended when I put the bag down. I always make a point of saying thank you when I take donations off people, because I know people won't donate again if you're rude.

PS Rubysmum - bring them to us!

queenlizard45uk

Im an assistant manager ar PDSA in Wrexham, and Im horrified at some things afew of you have experienced. All our volunteers are AMAZING and we are all so grateful for any stock we get.
It is true, if things are not sold or not 'good enough to sell' we send it to the rag man, and he gives us money for them. These clothes are then sent abroad or to other charity shops etc!

hairy_g

I'm amazed at some of the prices charged for books.
I usually like to browse the charity shops for books, but I have been put off by the latest price rises. one Barnados shop charges £2.99 & £3.99 for books that I can get off Amazon for 1p + £2.75 postage. They have always arrived in good condition.
The books in the charity shop are very often in a tatty condition, with pages ripped, missing or written on.
It's no good the charities complaining they have reduced income, when the customers are feeling ripped off!

voucherlover

The books in all my local charity shops have gone up from about 50p to £1 a couple of years ago, to nothing under £2, even things that came free with a magazine, are old and tatty etc. I have stopped buying books from them and use the local library more or buy cheap books online.

I havn't stopped donating old clothes etc despite not being thanked because its quiker than ebay and I don't want to spend all my time at the post office.