Shop Charity in '23!

Cherryfudge

I will shop at any of the charity shops locally, I've not found one I disagreed with, but when donating there's a choice between charities I actively support and places that will take specialist things like electricals. I think with the modern trend towards boutique-style charity shops, I might donate 'nicer' clothes to one of those, but not cheaper ones because I'd think they might just trash things that someone could use. (I don't donate damaged/worn out things that I wouldn't consider buying).

I wish we still had an Oxfam to donate books to.

Brie

YoungBlueEyes said:

That raises a good question. Would you avoid certain charity shops because of who they are/what they do? 

There’s a shop I avoid because I don’t like how they use the money they get, but I don’t think twice about any of the others. If I see a thing I want to buy I’ll buy it regardless of who’s selling it. 

Does anyone else do that…? 

I always used to joke at work that if there was a bake sale I wouldn't care if it was to benefit a fascist group as long as the cakes were good.  (not quite true but you know what I mean)

I used to always give to Barnardos because of my family's association with them.  (grandmother was a Barnardo orphan sent to Canada which saved her life essentially).  But there's none near me currently.

I stopped going out of my way to give the Cat's Protection shop as they became a complete pain to deal with and turned out the local branch has a LOT of ££.  I don't begrudge them my annual sub and would still go to their spring sale should they have one again.  I even used to work at their charity events but became disenchanted by the fact that there was no management of volunteers.  I didn't need managing (I think) but at least 25% of the people that came out to help were actually a hindrance and royally ticked me off.  (One morbidly obese one insisted on sitting on a chair blocking the entrance to the sale as it was too hot to stand and the doorway had a nice breeze - she had obvious issues and did not take it well when I gently suggested that she move her chair out into the shade of the trees because people assumed that they weren't allowed in with her sitting there).

My current favourite is the Margaret Green animal charity which is not far from my house, easy to park to load/unload and the staff are unfailingly lovely whether I'm dropping off or buying.  

Floss

I generally donate to Cancer Relief as i lost both parents to cancer and it's a busy shop with high stock turnover. Prior to relocation I gave a lot of unwanted stuff to Banardo's donation centre as they had a big car park!

YoungBlueEyes

Aye I’m quite lackadaisical when it comes to donating. I’ll usually just give it all to the one nearest my house if I’m walking and I’ve a lot of it. If I’m driving it goes to whichever one is the nearest to whichever car park I’m managed to get into. We have one in the village that does pat testing so they get all that. 

I wouldn’t donate anything that I wouldn’t buy, and not in a state I wouldn’t buy it in either. If I’ve any that don’t quite hit the mark, they’re put in a carrier bag on top of the other stuff and I write “rags?” on it. They’re washed and folded nicely just in case I’ve been a wee bit strict ha haa! 

eileenfromplaistow

Our hospice shops have gone boutiquey and pricey since the pandemic. On Friday i heard a volunteer saying " no room for donations of childrens clothes at the moment" to a customer - i was looking at the rail knowing exactly why the stuffs not shifting.!

sarahj1986

eileenfromplaistow said:

Our hospice shops have gone boutiquey and pricey since the pandemic. On Friday i heard a volunteer saying " no room for donations of childrens clothes at the moment" to a customer - i was looking at the rail knowing exactly why the stuffs not shifting.!

Children’s clothing in CS is insanely priced. I’ve seen a few thing for my daughter £3-4 for a basic pair of leggings. I can get a multipack for less than a tenner in Tesco/Asda. Basic tops £4-5 each. I remember these things used to cost less than a quid. When I can buy brand new for cheaper it’s a no brainer. 

Cherryfudge

sarahj1986 said:

eileenfromplaistow said:

Our hospice shops have gone boutiquey and pricey since the pandemic. On Friday i heard a volunteer saying " no room for donations of childrens clothes at the moment" to a customer - i was looking at the rail knowing exactly why the stuffs not shifting.!

Children’s clothing in CS is insanely priced. I’ve seen a few thing for my daughter £3-4 for a basic pair of leggings. I can get a multipack for less than a tenner in Tesco/Asda. Basic tops £4-5 each. I remember these things used to cost less than a quid. When I can buy brand new for cheaper it’s a no brainer. 

There's a whole academic paper in there: the role of charity shops in feeding the carbon footprint of the textile industry. Of course they aren't the only ones, but if they can be undercut by cheap new clothes suppliers, of course people will go there, and the charities won't get the sales.

Rosa_Damascena

YoungBlueEyes said:

Oh and I would’ve bought a Nigella book too. It’s not like any of the money would be going to her, so why deprive yourself 😁

Nigella doesn't believe in depriving herself, so why should you? 

@sarahg1969 - I was sorting through my little niece's clothes, she has a number of beautiful party dresses that she has never worn and now grown out of. They are going to a chazzer and I am was torn between hoping the chosen charity would get a good price for it and selling it at a price that is within the reach of people who would otherwise struggle to afford it. On balance the latter is better but I would hope they pay it forward and re-donate when done, these are not the kind of clothes that are worn every day!

Miró

The only chazza shops I avoid are ones that don’t take returns, even for an exchange, when they don’t have changing rooms.  *Cough* a certain one in Thirsk!

Found me a nice Jaegar shirt today in Ripon, lovely plain linen in a chevron weave.  Beoootiful fabric and nicely made,  hardly worn and priced at £5.  Well pleased!

goldfinches

I had to go back into town this afternoon partly because the washing powder shelves at Sainsby's were completely bare on Saturday, they were the same today so I shall have to trek further tomorrow. I suppose it all goes towards increasing the step count but I do rather resent being forcibly exercised IYKWIM.

Anyway, I popped into the Bhf shop again and snapped up these two little bargains for £2.50.



I'm not entirely sure that I'll ever make ravioli the size of stamps but I do like to be prepared should the urge seize me!

Very envious of your lovely linen Jaeger shirt @Miro it sounds wonderfully becoming. I haven't spotted any clothing I liked at all this year, the rails today were full of skimpy chilly looking tops and jeans with knee rips and holes mid-thigh (brrrr).

@Potternerd - I like your clear reasoning and shall fall back on it the next time I see a book I want on the shelf.

@DigForVictory - you did make me laugh, what a way to go!