Charity shops. Their noses are turned upwards

Arklight

We're having a clear out and I've triaged everything into stuff I could eBay and it would be worth it, stuff I could eBay but can't be bothered as I wouldn't get that much, and stuff to throw away.

I'm putting all of group 1 and some selected items of group 2 together for charity donations and tried to take some out to local charity shops.

Cancer Research: Woman pulled a face at me when I walked in with the bag and said 'donations?' After continuing to be quite rude she then looked through it and decided that they wanted it after all (because it was decent as new department store gifts) and started thanking me. By that point I didn't really want to give it to her but, whatever, they won't get anything else.

St Barnabas House: Lady sees us unloading the car and rushes out. "We don't WANT any more donations." She says angrily, and points at a sign in their window, which does indeed say they don't want any donations and anyone found leaving donations outside their shop will be arrested for fly tipping.

I point out, as nicely as I feel able, that we are going to Cats Protection next door, and not trying to darken the door of her shop with things to sell.

Cats Protection are about as welcoming as an angry cat. They go through our stuff.

"We'll take that, but we can't sell THAT in here..." They continue to make out like they are doing us a massive favour even allowing us to be in there. Of course they want the stuff they want, it's good and I could sell it myself. Again I don't really want to leave it with them by then. They won't take any books or kids toys and are appalled that we think they might do.

Today we tried ringing around the remaining ones. Some will take 'some' things, but they clearly don't really want them, and would rather we just stayed away. Whoever we are, and whatever it is we've got.

I am flipping fuming. What the hell??? :mad::mad:

I still have a loft full of barely played with Early Learning Centre toys, a Mamas and Papas cot and travel cot, mint condition, and hundreds of perfectly good books and barely worn toddler and baby clothes. Do I just have to throw all this away?

When did charity shops stop accepting things to sell? Why are they so rude?

vulpix

I have had similar problems. I think the volunteers perhaps need training.Try your FB selling groups to sell or give away.

Mojisola

Arklight wrote: »

I still have a loft full of barely played with Early Learning Centre toys, a Mamas and Papas cot and travel cot, mint condition, and hundreds of perfectly good books and barely worn toddler and baby clothes. Do I just have to throw all this away?

When did charity shops stop accepting things to sell? Why are they so rude?

There's no need for anyone to be rude but it would be foolish of them to accept donations if they know things don't sell or their storeroom is full.

They are there to make money for the charity - not to provide a clearance service for the public.

You could offer everything you have left on Freegle or on a local FB page or contact Social Services and ask if you can pass the children's stuff onto a local women's refuge.

Prinzessilein

No, you don't have to throw it away!

Charity shops vary greatly in their attitude to donations (and to customers!) as you have seen.

I have donated a number of items to charity shops recently...some really nice clothing (much too large after weight loss!), and assorted items (excellent condition) after moving house (and downsizing)

The attitude of one shop, which I entered as a customer, was enough to convince me that they will NEVER have any donations of mine....recently refurbished, new manageress. and a serious attitude problem!

However, by looking around I have found a lovely place that is really
grateful for my items, and I am supporting a cause dear to my heart.

One of the things that drew me to the place was their window display...they make a genuine effort to display some of their most attractive items - and change the display at least twice a month - it really draws the customers in...and somehow shows their attitude to donations IYNWIM.....some other shops just throw stuff haphazardly into the window area.

There are restrictions to donations...one shop states clearly 'No Books Thanks' - as they cannot get rid of them.....and Electrical Goods cannot be taken by many (although we have one Charity Shop with a chap who is qualified to PAT test , and they take in small electrical appliances).

So, don't give up - there ARE places that want your goods!

PasturesNew

Use Freegle to give it away. Just select any items that ARE "special" to resell.

Kids clothes/toys ... the world is over-run with them. So many stalls at car boots sell these that they put me off bothering to go to car boots ...

Haylescom

How about local GP or hospital wards? Wherever I've been they all seem to have the wooden bead/metal rack thing and that's it!

trailingspouse

Charity begins at home - sell your stuff and keep the money.

If it's not worth your while selling it, then why do you think it's worth the charities' while?

Arklight

trailingspouse wrote: »

Charity begins at home - sell your stuff and keep the money.

If it's not worth your while selling it, then why do you think it's worth the charities' while?

Because I don't have a shop on the high street that's staffed all week?

jackrabbit123

I'm sad to read that you had a difficult time with Cancer Research Charity as it is something close to my heart. I understand this isn't a charity but have you by any chance got a 'Cash for Clothes' near you, they are also very happy to accept toys of any kind as well as clothes, they weigh the clothes and give you cash back and work out an amount for the toys and books If you are still wanting to give to charity you could always get the money and from the toys etc and give to a charity of your choice, hope this helps.

Wednesday2000

I have noticed that some of the staff in charity shops are very rude and clearly not suited to a job with the public!:mad:

Arklight

jackrabbit123 wrote: »

I'm sad to read that you had a difficult time with Cancer Research Charity as it is something close to my heart. I understand this isn't a charity but have you by any chance got a 'Cash for Clothes' near you, they are also very happy to accept toys of any kind as well as clothes, they weigh the clothes and give you cash back and work out an amount for the toys and books If you are still wanting to give to charity you could always get the money and from the toys etc and give to a charity of your choice, hope this helps.

No nothing sadly. They have recycling bins for books and games in the local tip. I'm not sure what happens to them but they aren't doing any good in the loft, I don't have time or the inclination really to sell them off individually. We can get rid of some of the toys through the local family centres. There is a women's refuge in the next town that appear to want toys and baby clothes.

The furniture we will sell as it's too good to throw out, or give away really.
I'm just surprised at the attitude of the local charity shops and wondering if it was just them or if nationally they don't really want donations any more. Certainly the Cat's Protection looks more like a shop that's trying to sell objets d'art than jigsaw puzzles and homewares.

Poor cats.