unknowingly bought fakes from charity shop

soolin

It is illegal to sell fakes in the UK and even charity shops need to adhere to the law. Take them back, explain your concerns and ask them for a refund.

They might welcome a heads up with this so they can watch for them in future., after all a charity shop is not immune to prosecution.

Whilst people continue to consider it acceptable to buy and pass on fakes the fake market will keep increasing and catch more of us out.

Alter_ego

Regard it as a donation to your favourite charity

bris

Charity shop managers are no mugs, they know the value of the designer brands and would never price an £800 pair of shoes at £55.


This leave 2 scenarios, either the manager knew they were fakes and knowingly broke the law by selling them or we have a troll, I go for the latter.

Leo2020

daytona0 wrote: »

I have a sneaky feeling that you may have bought it with the intention of selling them on, and now that you've found out that they are fake they may even be worth less than 55 pounds. Nothing else really makes sense because they were "real" enough for you to buy them, but apparently not "real" enough for you to wear them. In such an instance you aren't really donating money, you are taking advantage of the charity shop. They could get a 400+ donation from a brand new pair of shoes valued at 800, and you knew that (irrespective of your ultimate intention). Whilst the shop will appreciate the 55 pound purchase, it isn't the most altruistic thing you'll ever do (that includes trying to get a refund too!).

My bold. Are you sure? I have volunteered in a charity shop before and even designer or antique stuff has been sold for a lot less than its worth simply because people won't pay even half of what it was worth on eBay. I'm sure in more affluent areas charity shops could get more but for charity shops in poorer areas it is not going to happen - people won't have £400 to spend in the first place.

If I had paid £55 for something and it wasn't as described I would take it back regardless of whether it was a charity shop or not - I couldn't afford to just lose £55.

asajj

Well charity shops would price designer shoes that cost £800 at £55. Firstly they have a guide to help them pricing secondly they rather to get money in than waiting for 6 months to find someone to pay them "half price". Also likes of TK Maxx already offers you good bargains on designer stuff, so why someone would choose a charity shop over it?
Another reason for pricing for you.

I volunteer at a charity shop which constantly receives designer items due to area and this happens all the time.

Charity shops can't sell fake goods as said above and it is likely that shop manager didn't spot it. Take it back and have a chat. If they are good fakes perhaps you can agree on the price to be lowered.

arcon5

Some real nonsensical comments here.

The fact it's a charitable shop changes nothing. You bought the goods in good faith that they was as described and they are not. You are entitled to a refund and morally shouldn't feel bad for wanting one!

The fact they are not experts in counterfeits or shoes may be a defense if they was prosecuted - but is irrelevant as far as op is concerned. Nor does it affect any rights.

'No returns' is irrelevant as far a goods not being as described or other SOGA characteristics is concerned! Your statutory rights cannot be overridden.

The fact op paid a low price compared to new price is irrelevant.

tomtontom

OP, why do your believe they are fake? All the advice do far relies on you being correct, but you're going to need to explain your reasons in order to assert your rights.

Mojisola

op32 wrote: »

I bought a pair of what I believed to be a designer pair of shoes from a charity shop today.

Did the shop claim that they were the genuine article or were they just being sold as shoes?

Zandoni

Mojisola wrote: »

Did the shop claim that they were the genuine article or were they just being sold as shoes?

If they had a brand name in them, they are supposed to be genuine.

Leo2020

Mojisola wrote: »

Did the shop claim that they were the genuine article or were they just being sold as shoes?

Do you both think at a charity shop normally sells shoes for £55? I'm not sure what sort of charity shops you go in. The shop must have thought they were designer to have put a £55 price tag on them. Otherwise who would buy them? Plus the OP says that the shop thought they were designer.

This thread is full of people who clearly don't buy from charity shops.