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AIBU?

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Original poster

To return something to a charity shop?

41 replies

ChilledCat · 27/05/2014 18:04

Just come back from town with DS and we bought a big floor jigsaw from a charity shop. There are supposed to be 36 pieces but there's only 29. It cost £5. DP says I should just let it go and accept it as giving money to charity. But it will just go in the bin, cause it's useless with out them really. I'm quite happy to buy another jigsaw or a book maybe, so it would be an exchange rather than asking for money. Am I being ridiculous.

OP posts:
Chocovore · 27/05/2014 18:05

Of course you are not being ridiculous. They should check what they are selling.

CorusKate · 27/05/2014 18:06

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SaucyJack · 27/05/2014 18:07

YANBU at all. The items still need to be in a saleable condition even if it's a charity shop.

Five quid is a lot to pay for a second-hand puzzle with bits missing Shock

trufflesnout · 27/05/2014 18:07

Yes you are, they will exchange or refund no probs.

Shonajay · 27/05/2014 18:09

No, I've returned stuff before. Jigsaws are notorious though, ours don't accept them for that very reason. My son was gutted when we got him a fisher price garage and the lady assured us the cars were inside (it was taped up). It was a tenner so took it back. Charity shops round here are pretty expensive anyway and when you're on a tight budget
With young kids, it's fair enough.

I also once got three brand new Lipsy prom dresses for a tenner each, one fitted dd, and I did think of selling the others on to make a profit, but ended up giving them to dds friends who were delighted as they weren't well off either.

cornflakegirl · 27/05/2014 18:09

I'd return it. I'm a regular at our local charity shop, and for a quid or so I wouldn't complain, but for more expensive things I would. Especially if you're happy with an exchange.

NorahBone · 27/05/2014 18:29

Return it - they give you a receipt for a reason.

ManchesterAunt · 27/05/2014 18:36

£5 is expensive! Shock

But I wouldn't return it, I'd just bin it and as you say - you've just given money to charity instead

CoffeeTea103 · 27/05/2014 18:37

I agree with your DH.

orangepudding · 27/05/2014 18:39

I would return it, they should have checked before putting it up for sale

JonSnowKnowsNothing · 27/05/2014 18:40

Why on earth should someone accept an unusable product just because it came from a charity shop? I've returned faulty items without problem and, as a result, I still shop regularly at said charity shops.

If I couldn't return items but couldn't be sure whether they were complete/fully working I'd be far less inclined to part with my money in the first place.

hakunafrittata · 27/05/2014 18:41

Wow, I'm shocked it was a fiver too! What are the pieces made of, gold?

Watership1234 · 27/05/2014 18:42

Definitely return it.

XiCi · 27/05/2014 18:42

I would get yourself to home bargains in future where all the new 36 piece Disney jigsaws are 3.99.

I agree with your dh that I'd probably just write off this purchase as a charity donation

Peaceloveandbiscuits · 27/05/2014 18:50

I always accept returns in my charity shop; we're legally obliged to refund customers as long as they have their receipt, item is still in good nick, etc. It would be charitable of you to offer to exchange for something else, though :)

redexpat · 27/05/2014 18:58

Yes you can return it with the receipt.

pigsDOfly · 27/05/2014 19:00

Don't agree that OP should just suck this up. That's the deal with charity shops, you buy something they've been given and they get your money.

They need to be made aware when the stuff people are buying in good faith is not of marketable quality.

Not everyone who shops in charity shops can afford to write off £5, which is why a lot of people shop in them in the first place.

Daddypigsgusset · 27/05/2014 19:02

Also bare in mind that charities do not see all the money that is donated through the shop.
I read about one that donated just 5k in 8 years despite raising tens of thousands at several celebrity balls as well as volunteers running a super busy shop.
Nicola & mandy smith pilfer from run it and take a hefty salary each

Puzzledandpissedoff · 27/05/2014 19:06

At one time I've had said just regard it as a donation; however, now that the charity shops charge much more I'd be less inclined to let it go - after all it was a lot for a child's puzzle

I guess my point is that if they're going to behave more like regular shops, they'll have to accept the downside too

Feminine · 27/05/2014 19:10

A few years ago I wouldn't have.

These days I wouldn't hesitate.

Much has changed with high street charity shops, they operate like regular shops these days.

Maybe you couldn't afford/want to give to charity this week. You did want a functioning jigsaw. YANBU- exchange away!

EatShitDerek · 27/05/2014 19:10

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

emms1981 · 27/05/2014 19:15

No take it back. I bought my husband some trousers from a charity shop he's such a scruffy so and so and I don't like spending much, when I got them home I noticed one pair had bleached marks all over it, I don't know how they didn't notice it as all clothes should be checked. They said oh can't he use them for gardening or something? Um no he can't lol.

Bowlersarm · 27/05/2014 19:17

I'm going against the grain here. I don't think you should take it back. I think you should look at it as donating to charity.

emms1981 · 27/05/2014 19:17

No take it back. I bought my husband some trousers from a charity shop he's such a scruffy so and so and I don't like spending much, when I got them home I noticed one pair had bleached marks all over it, I don't know how they didn't notice it as all clothes should be checked. They said oh can't he use them for gardening or something? Um no he can't lol.

londonrach · 27/05/2014 21:09

£5 for a charity shop puzzle.... (Shocked and wonder if Said puzzle made of gold...). It's cheaper new. Take it back. I've been in charity shops where people get money back. £5 is a lot of money!!!!