How much??!!

Lily-Rose_3

sacha28 wrote: »

Although I see what you're saying I think that is a very narrow minded point of view.

Of course their main objective is to raise money for charity but if they're overpricing things they aren't going to sell so they aren't actually raising anything are they.

I can't remember who said it but the only reason I went to the Air Ambulance shop was because, as an A&E nurse, the charity is very close to my heart and not because I thought it was going to be the cheapest. I see those guys, on average, 2/3 times A DAY (more in summer) and the service is insanely expensive to keep in the air. Yes I was expecting maybe a bargain but I wasn't expecting to see tired, worn out, dirty sofas going for more money than I could buy for brand new.

Completely agree with this, and yes it is a narrow minded POV.

No way am I going to buy something from a charity shop if it's cheaper (or almost as cheap) new!

And everyone knows that some of the money they make doesn't go to the charity in question. It goes in admin fees, running costs, staff wages, etc etc etc... AND the people who work in there get to rifle through the good stuff to nab it first.

InsideInsurance

sacha28 wrote: »

Am I the only one that thinks this is pure greed on the shops' part?

Can a charity be greedy?

Do you think the charity has more money than it needs? This is the only way I could see the answer to the above being yes.

I would argue that they may be being optimistic rather than greedy

Prices vary considerably. When the Mrs volunteered for a charity shop it really was their own choice as to what they priced things at and there wasnt the greatest amount of guidance. The Mrs did occasionally look on eBay to get an idea what some things were going for but often the old dears that worked there changed her pricing - marking clothing, crockery and furniture up and gadgets etc down.

Poppy9

While understanding that Charity shops should look to maximise funds people who donate to these shops do have an expectation the donations will be sold at a low price to people in need, as people view those who shop at charity shops as in need.

Over priced goods shout greed in Charity shops and people walk away as they think prices are inflated to cover excessive running costs.

barbie_babe

Cancer research in newquay allways have sofas. Not sure of prices but I find prices ok in there.

FatVonD

Lily-Rose wrote: »

AND the people who work in there get to rifle through the good stuff to nab it first.

That last bit is very true. The grandma of one of my son's friends at nursery worked in a charity shop and would always nab the best toys/clothes etc for him (without paying for them.) His mum would justify it as 'oh, well she does volunteer her time there' but expecting payment in goods isn't volunteering!

thistledome

If a charity is selling a DFS type sofa for £199 when you could buy it new for £295, then yes, they are charging too much. But I wouldn't call it greedy, they are trying to raise money for their charity, not make a profit.

If they're selling a good quality sofa for £199 then I think it's a bargain and the shopper is the one who's greedy for wanting it dirt cheap and for thinking it should compare in price to the cheap imported tat.

Most greedy of all are the people who find valuable items in charity shops going for peanuts and buy them for personal gain instead of pointing out the mistake to the charity. They are despicable IMO.:mad:

Georgiegirl256

FatVonD wrote: »

That last bit is very true. The grandma of one of my son's friends at nursery worked in a charity shop and would always nab the best toys/clothes etc for him (without paying for them.) His mum would justify it as 'oh, well she does volunteer her time there' but expecting payment in goods isn't volunteering!

She should have paid for them....what a cheapskate!

I used to volunteer in our local BHF and of course, any good things that came in, the staff would see them first and so have a chance to get them before they went on the shop floor.

I got quite a few good items that way, but I always paid for them. If I hadn't have done, I'd gave felt like I was stealing from a charity close to my heart.

Jagraf

Poppy9 wrote: »

While understanding that Charity shops should look to maximise funds people who donate to these shops do have an expectation the donations will be sold at a low price to people in need, as people view those who shop at charity shops as in need.

Over priced goods shout greed in Charity shops and people walk away as they think prices are inflated to cover excessive running costs.

Charities don't sell goods in their shops to people in need, they sell as a business to raise money for people in need. They just need to tweak prices sometimes to ensure maximum profits, like any other business. They are getting better at this IMO. It's great to see people able to donate stuff instead of throwing it away (recycling), for a customer to get a bargain, and for the charity to raise funds. Winners all round.

I don't doubt though that there are people who think it costs nothing to run a business.

Flossie.

FatVonD wrote: »

That last bit is very true. The grandma of one of my son's friends at nursery worked in a charity shop and would always nab the best toys/clothes etc for him (without paying for them.) His mum would justify it as 'oh, well she does volunteer her time there' but expecting payment in goods isn't volunteering!

Goodness me! I can understand people grabbing all the best stuff if they work there, (it's not right, but I can understand it.) But surely they should PAY for it?!!! Isn't 'just taking it' tantamount to stealing?

lostinrates

Jagraf wrote: »

Charities don't sell goods in their shops to people in need, they sell as a business to raise money for people in need. They just need to tweak prices sometimes to ensure maximum profits, like any other business. They are getting better at this IMO. It's great to see people able to donate stuff instead of throwing it away (recycling), for a customer to get a bargain, and for the charity to raise funds. Winners all round.

I don't doubt though that there are people who think it costs nothing to run a business.

It certainly doesn't cost nothing, especially now they have professional managers, but they do operate to different costs that other businesses don't they? Or have I misremembered that? I understood they had, for example, different fiscal arrangements.

By charging 'aggressively' for items they are competing with a tier of business on unequal terms. Business like second hand shops, dress agencies and so on. Its even been argued that between them and ebay they have been very bad for this sort of business. This isn't that charitable either! Before when prices were cheaper they really did fill a niche.

In anycase, it cannot make sense that it costs the shop selling something new for LESS that the charity shop selling it second hand for , as I have seen sadly often, less to do business.

Interestingly, in places where the charity shop is unheard of or less prevalent the unwanted stuff does go to do good, often through religious organisations. I used to love buying from charity shops when young, buying wonderful things. My nieces used to tell me it was cheaper for them to buy stuff in the cheaper shops, and I can quite see it. Very sad for all sorts of ethical reasons.