Anyone stopped bothering with charity shops?

surfsister

yes the problem is the more charged the less will sell and surely stock will mount up. I went to a pretty upmarket charity shop which has a parking area to donate some stuff and took it through to the back which was filled to the roof with stuff. So I assume either not selling much (huge prices) or lots of donations. eg belts for a fiver, shoes from a fiver and ladies clothes around eight to ten pounds. I didn't buy anything and didn't see anyone else do so either!

Then I noticed another one two doors away buzzing, and clothes were from 50p, shoes two pounds up and books 30p - people were hauling away bags of stuff.

jules888

I have volunteered for the last 20 years for my local hospice charity shop.
We have recently moved from a side street off the high street to a bigger shop with an upstairs for vintage stuff .
I"m still getting used to the change.We only get 10% off goods used to be 20% and most dont take it but to me it"s a small perk for volunteering.
I enjoy talking to customers and am normally on the till.
I see the pressure the manageress is under to earn more money for the charity.
The government should definetely do more.
I think most of our prices are reasonable,some customers say ours are cheaper than some others in the town.

Wantobeasaver

I think it varies hugely from shop to shop and area to area. I know some charity shops in London have gone from being bargainous to having sliding doors and ridiculous prices...often more expensive or the same price as new in the shops.

9411john

I have a major problems with charity shops. They are taking over the High Streets. Whenever a small business closes it is either a Fast Food or Charity shop that replaces it. Granted Charity shops do a good job but can someone please explain why they are allowed to sell 'new' goods in direct competition with those businesses that are having to close, particularly when Charity shops pay little or no council tax. It is not a wonder that our High Streets are dying.

aylesby

Gave up on my local Oxfam when they introduced a carrier bag charge last year. Prices were already high.

PlutoinCapricorn

Wantobeasaver wrote: »

I think it varies hugely from shop to shop and area to area. I know some charity shops in London have gone from being bargainous to having sliding doors and ridiculous prices...often more expensive or the same price as new in the shops.

I agree. I have found that areas where people have not got much money are very good for 'finds', household items in particular. Despite eBay etc, there are still some bargains to be found.

dandelionclock30

shoegal1 wrote: »

Having done some work in a charity shop- A chain, The staff do get first dibs- but DO also have to pay, with the guide prices on charts/for each brand/condition etc,to price for the shop floor, then with a staff discount of 25 % to be deducted.

I think the staff should get first dibs considering a lot of them are not in paid work themselves and on tight budgets. At the end of the day they are working for free so as long as they are paying the asking price then I don't see what the problem is.
I could understand people getting upset if the staff were stealing the items or not paying the asking price.


I personally don't shop in charity shops because I cant stand the fusty smell and also items are cheaper in the mainstream shops or on Ebay.

boatman

Sadly having spent a lot of time abroad and seen how Westerners are seen as cash cows for locals, it has rather tainted my view of charity, not helped by seeing charity CEO's getting large salaries and yet expecting other to gather donations for free. I think charity has gone a bit mad here. I saw plenty of money in India, sadly it does not filter down. Can't help feeling that overseas aid is only there to bribe foreign officials to buy British..
"Between $21 and $32 trillion in private financial assets is held in tax havens, and an estimated 30% of that comes from developing countries. Nearly $1 trillion a year in capital flows out of developing countries, making Africa a net creditor to the world."

op32

In the last week I've picked up: a Valentino scarf for £4, a Nicole farhi cardigan for £8, a pair of Versace jeans £5, a Karen Millen black shirt £4, a Monsoon jumper (with silk and angora in) brand new with tags £3

Sunny_Saver

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

I think the staff should get first dibs considering a lot of them are not in paid work themselves and on tight budgets. At the end of the day they are working for free so as long as they are paying the asking price then I don't see what the problem is.
I could understand people getting upset if the staff were stealing the items or not paying the asking price.


I personally don't shop in charity shops because I cant stand the fusty smell and also items are cheaper in the mainstream shops or on Ebay.

My friend's mother helps at a charity shop. She, like other volunteers, doesn't get paid. They used to get tea and biscuits. Now they're told to bring their own.

I asked my friend if he could ask his mum to look out for certain DVDs for me (I would have paid). He said no point, as the manager, who gets paid, would have snapped up the good ones.