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Original poster

Charity shop refusing refund

238 replies

BlazeMonsterMachine · 01/05/2021 05:35

This is such a trivial thing I realise, but for some reason it's annoyed me....

I needed a new pair of jeans, so popped to the local charity shop. With covid restrictions, you can't try clothes on at the moment, so when paying I asked about what to if they don't fit.

They told me to keep the receipt and I can exchange them. I queried whether there could be a refund, but apparently not - exchange only.

Now we're talking less than £10 here, and I realise it's charity, but it just doesn't sit right....

Are they allowed to do this? It feels like I'm just throwing money away / making a donation rather than shopping. It just strikes me as bizarre that I have to guess as to whether something fits and tough luck if it doesn't (as there's no guarantee that they'll have anything I want to exchange for).

Just wondering if anyone knows if this is the correct procedure as annoyingly the jeans don't fit.

I'm not planning on kicking up a fuss when I go back, but if they don't have a pair of jeans I could swap for, it would be good to know if i could push for a refund.

OP posts:
HappydaysArehere · 01/05/2021 08:34

Credit note maybe if you can’t find anything else.

MoiraNotRuby · 01/05/2021 08:41

I usually buy from charity shops but £10 for a pair of jeans is very expensive! I'd buy new ones from H&M instead tbh. They are not that much more expensive and fairly eco conscious, and returnable.

Or you could keep exchanging jeans until you've tried them all on at home....

Blueskytoday06 · 01/05/2021 08:43

Buy from somewhere you can get them refunded ?

LIZS · 01/05/2021 08:45

@amylou8

Legally it's exchange only unless faulty. I think second hand goods are excluded from this and sold as seen.
No legally it is neither, unless faulty, damaged or not fit for purpose. Poor fit or change of mind are not entitlements whether new or secondhand.
WellIWasInTheNeighbourhoo · 01/05/2021 08:46

You have a right to a refund for any reason within 14 days if you buy online.

ChessieFL · 01/05/2021 08:49

The OP said the jeans cost less than £10.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 01/05/2021 08:50

@SpiderinaWingMirror

I think the charity shop has lost sight of its purpose tbh.
It's nothing to do with them being a charity shop and everything to do with the law.

Nowhere is obliged to give you a refund because you've changed your mind or something doesn't fit. Many places do but it's an act of goodwill rather than a legal requirement.

I used to work in a clothes shop and I once had someone bring back a pair of trousers that were over 10 years old Hmm

They had their tags on and the customer decided this meant she qualified for a full refund - I found it almost impossible to keep a straight face Grin I also told her no chance!

sunflowersandbuttercups · 01/05/2021 08:51

@WellIWasInTheNeighbourhoo

You have a right to a refund for any reason within 14 days if you buy online.
That's because of distance selling regulations.
RaspberryCoulis · 01/05/2021 08:55

It's a very common theme on charity shop threads - there is a large minority of people who think that charity shops are there to provide cheap stuff.

They won't understand that a charity shop's sole aim is to raise as much money as possible for their charitable cause, whether that be guide dogs, underprivileged children, cancer research or the local hospice.

ChekhovsWorkshoppedShooter · 01/05/2021 08:56

I was a bit Hmm when our local relatively expensive charity shop (Traid) closed its changing rooms and announced they wouldn’t do refunds for non-fitting goods, but it is their choice. Refund policies are a calculation by the retailer that they’ll sell more stuff if they give you that peace of mind. The charity shops obviously think the additional sales wouldn’t be worth the hassle and fraud.

TableFlowerss · 01/05/2021 08:56

It’s like ordering a ‘surprise’ meal from a restaurant menu for 1/3 of the price of a normal meal but being told you can’t return it if you don’t like it though.

It’s a gamble as you may not like it, but you may love it....

Then moaning when it comes out that you don’t like the dish.... 🤦‍♀️

Gertie75 · 01/05/2021 08:58

I'm surprised the rules aren't different while the changing rooms are closed.
I've bought quite a few things from the charity shop over the last 2 weeks and they've all said they'd refund as long as the tags were on and I had the receipt.

Presumably they make more sales by having a decent refund policy as people don't have to guess whether something will fit.

I'm going to keep my eye out now too for people trying trousers on around their necks.

dottiedodah · 01/05/2021 08:59

This is standard practice for CS I think .DH bought a shirt for a fiver and was told to bring it back for an exchange (No refunds) if it didnt fit .I would imagine that they wont refund as a sale has gone through and if it is refunded would impact upon the charity ,

ChairmansReserve · 01/05/2021 08:59

It's a charity shop ffs. To 'push' usually elderly or vulnerable volunteers to go against a policy they told you when you bought them? What an unpleasant and bullying thing to suggest.

ichundich · 01/05/2021 08:59

@TableFlowerss

It’s a charity shop and they were £10 so any sympathy is out the window I’m afraid.

As been explained, not fitting you isn’t a legal reason they need to give you a refund. You knew their policy she said no refund, so you shouldn’t have bought them if you knew you’d feel like this.

Had it been a normal shop then you could have got a different size in same jeans but obviously you’re not going to be able to get the same jeans in a different size. Again, you knew this.

Has it ever occurred to you that people use charity shops because they don't have a lot of money?
minniemomo · 01/05/2021 08:59

We are currently doing refunds, 14 days, but it's only due to no fitting rooms. Unfortunately people are abusing it, buying 15 things and bringing all or most back rather than trying to work out if it fits first

kowari · 01/05/2021 09:02

@RaspberryCoulis

It's a very common theme on charity shop threads - there is a large minority of people who think that charity shops are there to provide cheap stuff.

They won't understand that a charity shop's sole aim is to raise as much money as possible for their charitable cause, whether that be guide dogs, underprivileged children, cancer research or the local hospice.

There are also people who understand why the charity shop is there but who are not in a position to just view any purchase as a donation so will go with the safer option of buying new online rather than take the risk of throwing away money. If I want to donate to a charity I go online and donate, I buy second hand to save money, doesn't mean I don't understand why the shop is there.
ichundich · 01/05/2021 09:05

@minniemomo

We are currently doing refunds, 14 days, but it's only due to no fitting rooms. Unfortunately people are abusing it, buying 15 things and bringing all or most back rather than trying to work out if it fits first
And how exactly would they 'work out' whether something will fit them if they can't try it on 🤦‍♀️?
ichundich · 01/05/2021 09:06

Exactly this!

Twoforthree · 01/05/2021 09:12

I think normal rules should be relaxed for covid.

AbsolutelyPatsy · 01/05/2021 09:14

the money may go to charity but it still is affordable clothes for many wherever the money goes to.
the majority of my clothes are charity, either that or sale.

i dont go looking for vintage or quirky personally,
i just go to buy clothes to wear for me and my dh

RedcurrantPuff · 01/05/2021 09:14

@RaspberryCoulis

It's a very common theme on charity shop threads - there is a large minority of people who think that charity shops are there to provide cheap stuff.

They won't understand that a charity shop's sole aim is to raise as much money as possible for their charitable cause, whether that be guide dogs, underprivileged children, cancer research or the local hospice.

But they also run more along commercial lines these days so should move the times. The days of some dotty old bat pricing up a Prada handbag for £2 are gone. Many aren’t even that cheap, I’ve seen ones selling Primark/Matalan tops etc for probably only a couple of quid less than they are new.
AbsolutelyPatsy · 01/05/2021 09:14

£10 is a fair bit to spend in a charity shop and just to write off

TankFlyBoss · 01/05/2021 09:21

I think people are being a bit harsh OP and I understand your frustration.

I am also a heavy duty charity shop shopper and every single one I've been in will give a refund if the tag is left on.

The charity shops may not have to give a refund, but it is a gesture of goodwill and isnt unreasonable given that it's not possible to try something on. After all, charity shops are based on the goodwill of having donations in the first place and it wouldn't do them any harm to make that a bit of a two way street at a time when many people have had reduced income.

Branleuse · 01/05/2021 09:24

Exchange is normal practise. Even now. Ask for credit note maybe if you cant find anything right now