Real life MMD: My £1 charity shop vase is worth £750 — should I split the profit?

pennypinchUK

There's no moral dilemma here. People trawl charity shops, car boot sales, garage sales all the time for a bargain. By making a profit on the vase you're simply capitalising on your knowledge (your "edge") to make a profit.

If you choose to give a donation to the charity shop that's a completely separate decision, and one you can take without guilt either way.

pinkystan

Your daughter could spend the profits on a new wardrobe and then donate all her old clothes to the charity shop instead.

MMcL_2

When you consider the high salaries paid to the people who manage the charity shops and employ non-paid volunteers to do all the work, then a big 'NO' is my vote. Most people who use charity shops are looking for a bargain and some finds are obviously better than others - so, good luck to the finder.

:T:j

fairynuf

How many times do you see someone on an antiques show on tv where they have picked up a bargain at a car boot sale? Everyone congratulates them on their fantastic find no one comiserates with the person who unknowingly sold the valuable item to them. The person who donated this vase to the charity obviously did not realise the value neither did the charity shop so really the person who bought it was very lucky. Personally I would be very chuffed to have been lucky enough to obtain such a find and I would do as someone else suggested have a clear out and donate these items to the charity so they can benefit from their sale but of course I would make sure I researched any items which could be of high value!

gaily

It'd be nice if you did, but also depends on how much your daughter needs the money too - if she'll feed her family with it for the next few months, or pay her bills, then whos need is greater.

If it's likely to go on luxury/non essential items - then definatly worth giving some money back to the shop.

liltinker

I used to manage a charity shop and, to be honest, if I'd missed something like that I'd consider it my fault! It's down to the manager to make the most of their donations and if they'd been on the ball, they'd be putting the item into auction rather than you.

Your daughter put the effort in, she should reap the rewards!

idbridge

I bought an old model bus in a charity shop for 50p and it was Dinky and I sold it for £50, also bought some lego star wars figures for for £1 and split them up and sold them on ebay for £50. I felt bad but make sure I donate to those shops when I give stuff away. One charity shop near where I live, sells things on ebay and they are very good at realising the value of items. Charity shops should be a bit more savvy nowadays

Avon2001

Personally I have very little time for the big charities so if the shop in question was Oxfam or something I'd cheerfully keep the money. If it was a small, local charity, then I'd give a donation, if I could afford it. If the vase did come out of one of the big shops, your daughter could give a donation to a smaller charity she did support.

dizsiebubba

Morally - I wouldn't sleep at night knowing that a charity shop, whose sole purpose is to raise funds and awareness, had lost out, the shops are run by volunteers giving up their time for free and they cannot be expected to be an expert on all antiques... I think I would have to see what it sold for and then make a donation back to the charity of at least 20% HTH

gardengirl_3

Yes, Yes, Yes!:T