Is it acceptable to haggle in a charity shop?

kit34

i volunteer in a well known charity shop and we dont mind haggling on some items ie bric a brac as that doesnt really have a set price however our clothing prices come for head office and have to be stick too , most peple try there luck some are genuine the others trawl charity shops to stock up ebay / collectables cabinets we get to know whos who and generally answer accordingly

also we have a LOT of people who steal from us !!!

samsmoot

Indie_Kid wrote: »

Would you haggle in a normal shop?

If a supermarket chain, then no. In the local corner shop or for electricals on the High Street, then yes.


If something's too dear I will say it's a bit more than I usually pay, or more than I want to pay right now, and a discount sometimes follows. If I were buying an expensive item I'd expect something extra thrown in if I didn't get a reduction.


Charity shops are also sometimes happy to give a discount - 20% off a £5 purchase might be given if you ask. I was in a charity shop the other day - they had everything at £1. I asked if a piece of jewellery was also a pound but was told I could pay 50p - and then the next item I took to the till also was sold to me for 50p. Mind you, this was a 'proper' charity shop, as opposed to one of those glossy chain stores with shiny goods and 'management' - gimme the old and tatty stuff any day!

paulineb_2

I wouldnt haggle. Ive also volunteered in a charity shop and people did steal stuff or attempt to. If an item is overpriced as far as Im concerned I'll go to another cheaper charity shop, in my local barnardos everything is priced at 99p and Ive had some really good bargains from there.

fabforty

Personally I don't have a problem with it. The charity shop can always say 'no' and given the choice between something sitting unsold on the shelf or getting a few pounds less than hoped for for it, I would have thought a sale is better - especially as most of the items have been donated for free.

rachiibell

I think it depends on the item. It's rude to do it on clothes IMO but if they are already on a reduced rail (charity shops in my area often knock stuff down once it's been around for a few weeks) then that's fine. Why would a charity shop let you haggle down the price of a dress that's just come in when they know someone else will probably pay the asking price?
Also if something catches your eye and it's been hanging around for a while I don't think it would be out of order to say "I notice X has been around for a while would you consider taking £X for it?"

worbikeman

So they have a price tag on something, refuse to take offers, and it ends up going in the skip. Marvellous.

Gordon_the_Moron

I just couldn't do it, I'd pay the full price or not buy it. Someone commented about things being sometimes cheaper elsewhere than in charity shops, simple solution, buy it from the non-charity shop and donate the difference to the charity shop.

ptrichardson

I don't see an issue with it, if the item you want is obviously overpriced. Similarly, if something is clearly underpriced, then give more.

kronenbourg

theres on particular charity shop i go to and nothing is priced , depending on who is serving the prices vary , sometimes its way too much and sometimes not enough
i do question if you get asked for £2 paperback book but will give extra if i am asked for 50p

Indie_Kid

worbikeman wrote: »

So they have a price tag on something, refuse to take offers, and it ends up going in the skip. Marvellous.

It doesn't go to the skip. It's then passed on to another charity shop.