prices in charity shops

snookey

Ok before anyone shoots me down in flames I know they are a charity and its a good cause but the British heart foundation shops are expensive.
Iv been into our local one today and they wanted eight pounds for a pair of second hand mens shoes, Five pounds and above for mens second hand shirts, eight pounds for a childs dress and toys from two ninty nine.
Now I donate lots of good quality clothing but I expect people to be able to afford the goods. Bear in mind that they are donated.

I approached the staff and told her that the prices were far too high. Her response was that they dont decide the prices and some goods are new.
Iv now contacted the head office and put my concerns to them.

The area the shop is in is one of high unemployment and low paid jobs and therefore should reflect this in their prices.

Iv brought the cost of this shop up before and others have agreed with me. What do other people think about the prices charged.

McKneff

I agree entirely with you. I used to frequent them also but they all seem to have got so much more expensive.
Mostly it was books but they are averaging £1.50 to £2 now so dont bother. I wouldnt care but I was donating them
back again when I had read them. They dont seem to see the logistics
in that if they were priced right, they would sell 3 times more.

Car boot sales for me now, clothes £1, books 50p. quite happy with that.

SailorSam

I think you'll get some things brand new in Matalan or Tesco than some charity shops

Anacrusis

I agree! BHF is quite expensive!

marvin

SailorSam wrote: »

I think you'll get some things brand new in Matalan or Tesco than some charity shops

Are there words missing from that?

I tink ou were trying to say what i was going to say that some new items are cheaper in tesco than charity shops. In fact I used to help a foremer GF in a charity shop sorting etc and they put more money on a second hand T-Shirt than the exact same T-Shirt cost new in tesco and it was a Tesco T-shirt!

when i pointed this out I was told there is no Tesco near here

vuvuzela

They are more expensive than they used to be but then so are business rates, rent, electricity bills etc. Fact of life sadly, some will go under soon as they can't afford to keep going.

NoSatisfaction

vuvuzela wrote: »

They are more expensive than they used to be but then so are business rates, rent, electricity bills etc. Fact of life sadly, some will go under soon as they can't afford to keep going.

Charities only pay a maximum of 20% of the business rates. This is annoying when they compete with similar shops. For example. In Eastbourne there is a private second hand bookshop near the library and an Oxfam second hand book shop opened near by.

http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/charities/tax/basics.htm#5

It makes competition hard if there isn't a level playing field.

nuttywoman

I only give stuff now to our local Salvation Army charity shop because they are so grateful for anything you donate. The last time i took stuff into one of the other charity shops , i did`nt even get a thank you !!

Outpost

NoSatisfaction wrote: »

Charities only pay a maximum of 20% of the business rates. This is annoying when they compete with similar shops. For example. In Eastbourne there is a private second hand bookshop near the library and an Oxfam second hand book shop opened near by.

It makes competition hard if there isn't a level playing field.

Damn right! Those bloody charity shops and their volunteers trying to help sick people!

lincroft1710

Outpost wrote: »

Damn right! Those bloody charity shops and their volunteers trying to help sick people!

Some "volunteers" are in fact employees. Salvation Army certainly has paid staff.

Outpost

lincroft1710 wrote: »

Some "volunteers" are in fact employees. Salvation Army certainly has paid staff.

And a hell of a lot more don't. Regardless, I don't see what relevance this has on charity shops whose profit goes towards helping the sick and needy being given reduced rates.

Seems pretty distasteful for anyone to object to such a thing in my opinion.