Annoyed re charity - does this happen often?

gazza975526570

So i bought a new sofa and thought rather than sell the old one id call a charity to see if they wanted it to resell. Its in decent condition.

Calls a large charity they say they will pick up on a specific date. Gets to 3pm they havent arrived. Call them up - "yeah they will be there soon, definately".

Anyhow - no one shows. I stay in all day - day wasted as lots to do.

Is this common? Shall i bother with another charity or just get the council to collect and tip it?

Thing is - i would never donate to this charity again and would tell people not to. Very short sighted of them

Anyhow - got that moan off my chest so thanks for reading but id be interested to hear if this happens regularly

Mimi_Arc_en_ciel

I've had a bad experience when donating to charity in the past too - think it depends on whose in the store, how busy they are and if that persons having a bad day

FatVonD

Why not sell it on ebay with the proceeds going to charity?

Localweb

Now if I get anything like this I put it on freecycle, most often goes to someone in need that way to be honest. Last few times I have put anything on there it has been collected within a few hrs of posting too.

Gave a leather sofa and two chairs away recently, two days later got a lovely email and pic from the family showing 4 kids cuddled up on it and a thanks saying they had all been sitting on the floor pre-the sofa I gave away. Made me go all warm and fuzzy

Savvy_Sue

I don't know if it's common with charities: I haven't had problems with furniture pickups. Delivery / pickup services can be a bit hit and miss in my experience, regardless of who is doing what for whom!

carerof3

I used to volunteer for a British Heart Foundation furniture store. People were always coming in complaining about being in this situation. It's not changed as my friend had to stay in for 3 days recently for an item of hers to be collected. I only worked there 3 months, couldn't stand the poor organisation in general. I offer on Freecycle too.

LittleVoice

And what do you do when they turn up and say "can't use that, it's too big/old fashioned" but offer to take it away for a price?

I've had that happen with good quality but dated furniture. Told them, as I had properly described the items when offering the goods, I'd dispose of it myself and not trouble them again.

concerned43

I donated my unwanted furniture to Barnardo's and they were great - bang on time and a four beefcakes to lift it all out. Couple of months later I received a letter from Barnardo's telling me how much they had raised from my furniture plus my tax aid and what they were going to spend the money on - excellent charity and sponsor service.

Tygermoth

I tried to donate my beautiful nearly new next sofa & chairs to a local hardship project.



They messed me around for two weeks then turned up and said as the tab that showed it met current fire standards was slightly torn where a plastic tag holding replacement buttons had been (the only damage on the suite) obscured a small section of the markings they could not take it - I was not amused. :mad:



Freegle – gone in twenty mins

rarrarrar

The advantage of Freecycle, Freegle ,or whatever your local group calls itself, is that the issue of Fire Labels is irrelevant.

Getting rid of "vintage" or "antique" upholstered furniture is very difficult - although there is a pre-1947 ( I think) get out clause for fire labels most charities will still not take these items.

gazza975526570

Thanks all for your responses.

Ive decided to give another charity another chance - "coming" next week. If im messed about again i will be ringng the council and getting them to take it to the tip. Fingers crossed!!!