Money Moral Dilemma: Should I go back and pay for the mirror I broke in a charity shop?

dobbiesloan

No, They got it for nothing so they are not loosing anything, I'm sure they have plenty of other things in the shop for people to buy.

elsien

I am surprised by the number of people on here who seem to think it’s ok to stroll into a shop, break something, then stroll out again. 

Whether it’s a charity shop or not is irrelevant - you’ve still broken something that doesn’t belong to you. The £100 may be a tad optimistic hence the need to speak to a manager. But accident or not, you still broke it, 

[Deleted User]

I don't think you are legally obliged to as it was an accident. Shops sometimes say 'Breakages must be paid for' but don't think they are enforceable for accidents.  Morally might be another matter. Op also may not be able to afford that much. A good will gesture may be appreciated. As the store doesn't buy items it's not coming out of the owners' pocket. I am sure some people will feel the charity has been deprived but on balance l would go with 'don't pay' or offer a gesture if you feel that's fair.

stevemachell

buy some glue , go back and offer to stick the loose piece back on . they have lost nothing anyway it maybe worth a little less thats all

catherinea1234

MNDAmblecote said:

No you should not go back to pay for it and you should not feel guilty either.

Charity shops income is mostly wages and infrastructure cost, very little ends up at the true charity box . They are required by law to have public liability insurance and this very often can come with a package of general insurance if they bothered to pay for it.

You knocked over what sounds to be a large mirror, something which if it was being sold for that much could have killed a child had they knocked it over or got caught beneath it (remember the child killed in a shop displaying drawer chests that the child climbed using the drawers?) HSE now requires that such items heavy, large, glass etc. Are all safely secured. The mirror clearly was not and like it or not the charity shop themself are liable.

MNDAmblecote said:

No you should not go back to pay for it and you should not feel guilty either.

Charity shops income is mostly wages and infrastructure cost, very little ends up at the true charity box . They are required by law to have public liability insurance and this very often can come with a package of general insurance if they bothered to pay for it.

You knocked over what sounds to be a large mirror, something which if it was being sold for that much could have killed a child had they knocked it over or got caught beneath it (remember the child killed in a shop displaying drawer chests that the child climbed using the drawers?) HSE now requires that such items heavy, large, glass etc. Are all safely secured. The mirror clearly was not and like it or not the charity shop themself are liable.

What an earth is the relevance of a child potentially knocking over a mirror got to do with anything?? We don't know the size or weight of the mirror or how it was secured.

Bern64

In the initial question posed it says that the shop staff said the mirror is WORTH £100. Is that what it was on sale for or just a quick throwaway comment by the shop staff? Perhaps if it was priced much cheaper than that the person who caused the accident might feel more able to pay for the mirror? However I do think the positioning of the mirror  in the shop should be considered too. If placed in a precarious place then it isn’t the customer’s fault it was knocked over.

bambibear

£100 seems a lot of money in a charity shop and regardless of whether it’s worth that is irrelevant. Many people who shop in charity shops don’t have £100 spare and it will have been donated so therefore the shop isn’t out of pocket. It was an accident and only the op knows the circumstances. I.e was it in a place where easily knocked? I personally would have apologised and given a donation (£10) or alternatively would ensure when I have a sort out, I’d use them so they can gain from my donations. 

Magnolian

Donate some stuff instead.

ask66

elsien said:

I am surprised by the number of people on here who seem to think it’s ok to stroll into a shop, break something, then stroll out again. 

Whether it’s a charity shop or not is irrelevant - you’ve still broken something that doesn’t belong to you. The £100 may be a tad optimistic hence the need to speak to a manager. But accident or not, you still broke it

I couldn't agree more.  Assuming £100 is a sensible price for that particular mirror, then that's what you should pay.  Or you could offer to repair the mirror, if possible, and then pay for any shortfall if it ends up selling for less than £100.  I'm completely astonished that you thought it was OK to just walk off.

Hadenoughofitall

Charity is one of the biggest scams known to mankind. The people at the top pay themselves a fortune and expect the workers to work for nothing. I tried to donate a television, blu ray recorder, desktop computer and some printer inks. They had the nerve to ask me for a £15 collection fee. I sold them on Ebay and made £300 which i spent on a weekend in Devon. Pay them nothing.