I'm not sure if I am Re a charity shop

[iknowwho]

Over the weekend we had a massive clearout and today I have taken 5 large bin sacks to the local charity shop.
All the stuff in them was washed and ironed except for the shirts that still had labels and price tags on - They were just ironed.

Lots of nice stuff. Dropped it off and the two ladies said thank you. Just on my way out a jacket caught my eye for £3.
I had no cash on me and just said 'is there any chance I could have that jacket please?' The ladies got flustered and said kept asking each other in a Chuckle brother style ' What do you think' 'don't know, what do you think' then eventually one said ' I suppose so'

There were 9 shirts that are this season that had labels on that cost more than £20. (DH buys stuff, doesn't quite fit, loses receipt and then forgets sometimes) , nice gift box sets of toiletries etc.

I felt like I was asking for something hugely precious!!

Also you put the volunteers in the shop in a difficult position - I'm sure they're not supposed to give clothes away but felt they couldn't say no to you as you'd just donated so much.

I know someone who worked in a charity shop, who used to take things and some really good stuff too. I don't mix with her now for various reasons including that.

Yabvu

Do people seriously go to charity shops then sell on eBay?

Now they are probably going to Hell!

I wouldn't have even thought about asking for it free TBH. I was surprised anyone would ask more than thinking you were the devil incarnate.

Having said that, my DP would have probably done the same he's always blagging stuff

I knew more or less from the first response things weren't going to go well for me!! but it's not been to bad.
I may have felt different if you were all sat in my living room saying it though!!!

I can't remember what OwlLady said that was so bad it got deleted.
I didn't think anything was THAT bad!!

Lurking I thought that too at first but then I realised well they are giving the money to charity in the first place so is there really an issue as such?

Its not something I would do personally thigh as I believe those in need should get first pick before those seeking to make profit.

my DP would have probably done the same he's always blagging stuff
But I've never blagged anything ever before!!!!

Shit!! I've been sucked back in!!

I think you got off quite lightly really

Was owlLady deleted? she was a bit irate, she was on your side though.

The old ladies in the charity shop didn't know whether the bags were full of hand-made shirts sewn from pure gold or crusty skidded pants when you asked if you could have the jacket.

I'm surprised they let you.

I didn't notice OwlLady saying anything worth deleting?

I cant believe they sold a jacket for £3. They'll never make any money anyway at those prices.

The Op knows it was cheeky- I can't believe the number of people ordering her to repay the £3! She's not going to do it, ok?

I've no idea why that post was deleted someone must have reported it

Owl lady! An injustice!

She was making me laugh.

YABVU. Most charity shops cannot sell stock with tags on and have price guides which they have to stick to, so your new with tags stuff is actually not worth that much to them and your attitude stinks. You give to be kind not to receive.

*your attitude towards it I meant, as in you feel they should have given it up because you gave them things.

What you have to remember is that charity shops are there to make money for the charity, they are not, as is the all too common misconception, kindly placed by the charities to provide for those with no cash to buy things elsewhere. Indeed, it is the money raised from sales in the shops that then goes on to help those in need.
If you think about it, the customer base of many charity shops largely comprises middle class shoppers and bargain hunters.

All too often those who donate - often in large quantities - to charity shops having pulled up in their cars after a large clearout, are the very same people who think they are doing the 'poor people' a favour by giving their wonderful cast offs to buy at bargain prices. In fact they are often dumping a load of utter rubbish which will only earn the charity rag money, while the people they think will benefit are merrily rummaging away in Primark and ASDA.
Unfortunately it is a well known fact amongst charity shop volunteers that the donation from the well heeled, smartly dressed and scented lady who pulls up in her BMW and proudly presents several bags before sweeping out without a second glance at the stock in the shop will have done nothing but filled up the rag and refuse bins for us!
In your defence OP, you did deign to look at the stock on offer, but you were out of order and it wouldn't have happened in my charity shop. Pay up next time, Mumsnetters have well and truly spoken!

Why do you want the jacket only to wear a few times? I tend to only donate stuff I've slimmed out of, or send it for rags if it's unfit to wear. I don't understand buying something knowing you won't want it in 3 months.
On another note, why do people call primark primarni? or are they different shops?

Because their clothes are a rip off of designer clothes.

Years ago I did the marketing for a large charity and running the shops was a major business for the charity though it was very difficult to make profits (rents, stock, paid managers and area managers etc).

Charity shops don't always sell the goods that are donated to that particular store. If an Oxfam in X Town (say not v. trendy / wealthy) gets donated a designer item it will be sorted, sent to the depot and probably sent on to somewhere like Chelsea Oxfam where they can get more money for it and there is more demand for it. So depending on what charity shop it was your stuff might be sent to a different store altogether - one where the market for unworn shirts will get them £10 instead of £3. So you can't really see it as a straight swap because each shop will have its targets based on the stock it put out rather than the stock it got donated.

This may not apply to your charity shop - so I can't say whether or YABU. It's what the very large charities with a national presence will do.

That doesnt happen in our charity shop. Maybe its an oxfam thing.

We sell what we get donated if its of good quality and sellable.

Yabu

quasi OMG!Are you serious???? I'm never going to donate to a charity shop again if my clothes get chucked. I'll forget the middleman and stick them straight in the bin. Much quicker!!

I think you were wrong
a) to be so grasping you felt you needed to do the charity out of £3
b) you put their volunteers in a very difficult and uncomfortable position.