Anyone stopped bothering with charity shops?

Doc_N

No-name wrote: »

No one has mentioned yet the real reason charity shops are setting high prices, it is because they claim gift aid back from the government on donated items (this is a percentage of the price they set).


Selling the item is then just a bonus on top.


It's basically a legal scam.

It's not been mentioned because it isn't actually true.

There's still a very real incentive to sell the item because the Gift Aid doesn't kick in until the item's sold, and ordinarily the charity will also get to keep the sale proceeds as well. No scam involved - HMRC changed the previous rules to allow it to happen.

If you want tax scams, look in the direction of Amazon, Google, Boots and the like.

so_very_confused

I agree with previous posters that Mary Portias has a lot to answer for. My favourite shop was in a fairly poor area did excellent business always busy. I regularly donated both clothes and books. Recently they have gone upmarket all clothes colour coordinated rather than by size or price. Prices have gone sky high. The prices for books are ridiculous. I have complained to the charity concerned, which deals with people in poverty, homelessness pointing out that their customer base was once the vey people they serve who can no longer afford to shop here, no response didn't expect one. I just feel it is a very sad day as I can see the shop becoming less viable which will serve no ones interests.

terrierlady

an9i77 wrote: »

I work for a national charity shop chain, and goods are not allowed to be purchased by staff unless they have been on the shop floor for at least 24 hours. They are really strict about this too, people have been disciplined for breaking this rule.

Depends on each charity in ours the staff get first pick thats why i left, if your staff your there because you want to support the charity not to get bargains, sadly the hospice didnt agree.

spender

I don't use them anymore because the staff cream off all the excellent stuff at ridiculous prices. My mother in law volunteers in a charity shop and always buys stuff at ridiculous prices. I find it totally wrong. Also some shops keep stuff back for dealers which also is unfair. If stuff is donated then the normal shopper should have a chance to buy.

asajj

No-name wrote: »

No one has mentioned yet the real reason charity shops are setting high prices, it is because they claim gift aid back from the government on donated items (this is a percentage of the price they set).


Selling the item is then just a bonus on top.


It's basically a legal scam.

So you assume everyone who donates is a gift aider.

Also as said, if you would like to look for a scam, as suggested above, I'd look into ways of Amazon, Boots etc (which everyone seems to be very fond of)

jon81uk

Part of the problem is that things are so cheap to buy new. Whats the point getting something from a charity shop when you can buy new from Primark for less. Or books that are cheaper brand new from Amazon.

kathrynha

The only charity shop I regularly go in is the local hospice one. Never look at their clothes, but like their books, jigsaws and childrens section.

Their books are 49p each, which is really cheap, so I'll often buy half a dozen, then next time I go they get them back to re-sell.
Oxfam charge £2 per book and sell hardly any, where as this shop sells them cheap and sells loads, so make much more money.

Lots of stuff sold cheap makes more money than a few items sold for a lot.

asajj

jon81uk wrote: »

Part of the problem is that things are so cheap to buy new. Whats the point getting something from a charity shop when you can buy new from Primark for less. Or books that are cheaper brand new from Amazon.

I buy my books from charity shops max 2.50 for each depending on hardback/cashback. No book I'd like to read for these prices on Amazon.

I don't buy from Primark due to several reason but mainly because I'm not that rich to buy something from them to throw away after 3 washes.

surfsister

well I buy 10p books (as new mostly) from the table outside my local and return them later. Alsao we have a pound charity shop which has exactly the same quality as the others who charge a fiver for silly things.

I spotted a pair of strappy sandals I donated cost me 3 quid the charity shop wanted ten!!!! lol!

but mostly not worth the hassle - I blame mary portas myself.

Kim_kim

Anouchka wrote: »

Unfortunately running the hospice requires a great deal of money and, as their shops are their main source of funding, the shops are under increasing pressure to generate funds. This is not without difficulty because the the quality (not necessarily the volume) of donations has fallen drastically over the last few years.

I would guess the rise in Facebook selling sites & ebay & even car boot sales mean many people sell anything sellable & only donate what they can't sell.

I have browsed in charity shops & I'm usually pretty shocked at the prices. Sometimes very cheap items (primark & supermarket clothing) selling second hand for not much less than it probably was new. I love costume jewellery, but this is usually silly prices in charity shops, I can buy in Dorothy Perkins & matalans for less.