Charity shop refusing refund

[BlazeMonsterMachine]

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.

I think a credit note isn't as bad as expecting you to find something on the spot. If I've bought what I was interested in then go back soon after then it's usually the same stock as before.

Of course they can do this.

You asked about a refund, they said no exchange only, and you decided to buy them anyway knowing that. You took the risk.

Has it ever occurred to you that people use charity shops because they don't have a lot of money

@ichundich

Equally people use them because they want to be seen as ‘trendy’, want to get a bargain, want to spend their money in a way that puts back in to society, better for the economy .....

Whilst your point valid, under the circumstances it’s irrelevant, as OP was told the policy yet continued to proceed.

You can get jeans at Primark for £10!

Honestly, I think because it's a charity shop, I'd take the win some, lose some approach, and only buy something if I'm OK with it not being suitable.

@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.

That should be part of their aim, to support the local community by offering things at a low price. The charity shops who are not doing this are sinking.

OP, all you can do is ask. Phone or email if you want to save a journey.

If they give you a refund, all good. If not, they may offer you an exchange or a credit note, which you can accept or decline. If you decline, then keep the jeans and sell them on eBay or similar to recoup some of your costs.

Measure the waistband of your favourite trousers, keep a note, also the measurements from seam to seam underarm on favourite tops, take tape measure shopping and you will know if they will fit, holding them up to you gives an idea of how they will look and whilst not foolproof at least i no longer buy things that are way off.

I consider charity shops as a fun and easy way to donate. If I get something good then win win.

it can be hard to work out if item will fit, though.

Last charity shop blitz I correctly measured waist & hips but bums, thighs or knees are harder to get right.

How do you measure knees?

@Mandalay246

I wouldn't dream of expecting a charity shop to give a refund, and I never try anything on before I buy. If it doesn't fit then I donate it back to the shop. The clue is in the word 'charity'.

This ^

Did you pay £3.50 @BlazeMonsterMachine ?

@ChairmansReserve

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.

Agreed. Don't like the store policy? Don't buy.

Exactly Kowari, I can't figure out a way to tell from just looking & touching if the item will make it hard to bend my leg. Or too tight on the thighs.

and if the clothes you buy dont fit, you dont take them back? what then? land fill?
i much prefer to take them back, whether they give me my money back or a credit note.
then someone else can have the privilege of owning the garment that didnt fit me

No different to store credit

There's no legal right to a refund (unless a faulty item) anywhere inc charity shops. Personally I just re donate and see it as a charity donation

I'm all for refunds, on clothes and shoes that don't fit. But we get people bringing bags, ornaments and other bricabrac back for refunds, which we give. I think that is taking the mick big time!

They are a charity staffed by volunteers. If you want something different buy elsewhere.

They should just open the changing rooms now. I've read on here that some clothing shops have and some haven't so it's not against the law is it?

I'm a charity shop manager. We offer refunds or exchanges on products within 7 days of purchase. Anything £2 or less though is non refundable.

@Myshitisreal

On a side note, zip up the jeans and wrap the closed waist around your neck. This is a usually a good guide if they will fit. Do it with a pair that fits perfectly so you know how it should feel. Almost like a superman cape 😂

I'm going to try that with jeans I have at home that I know that fit!

No shop HAS to give any refunds unless faulty.

A overzealous charity shop tried to sell me jeans I didnt even want the other day, she was practically pushing me into the changing room to 'try them on' (I only went in for a nosey to see if they had any good bits and bobs, I had no need for jeans) I left without buying anything but from that encounter it seems changing room are allowed.

The jeans are LESS than £10 and judging from OPs later post I guess I'll go exchange them for 10 DVDs (which are running at 50p each, 3 for £1). Might splash out an extra 50p and get an additional 2 they are clearly £4 jeans.