Bartering in charity shops

[Kingoftheroad]

Would you find it acceptable to barter with charity shop (salaried) manager for highly priced item (which in your opinion was way overpriced

Anxious - it was around 50 0/0 overpriced and had loads of flaws, they had tried to sell it on eBay and had no luck. It was not in an upmarket area and in my opinion would never shift at that price. I really do think that some of these charity employees really believe there working in commercial business.

Cactus - for someone who professes such high morals I finding it appalling that you would think of a fellow human being as scum - that's disgusting

People are perfectly entitled to haggle at charity shops. In fact they're perfectly entitled to haggle at ANY shop, but would probably have more luck at a charity shop than in Marks & Spencer.

If the item I wanted was massively overpriced then I would definitely haggle. The worst that can happen is that they refuse my offer.

No. I don't like haggling anywhere, but particularly not in a charity shop.

I have no problem with someone saying 'what's the lowest price you'd take on this'. I've worked in a charity shop, so long as the price isn't ridiculous it's better to take the money.
In other shops you at least need to cover the cost of manufacture. In a charity shop it's usually donated ( true in both cases there are also overheads). If they say no and hold out for more, fair enough

But a commercial business would probably be more careful about pricing so it sold in the first place - or lower the price if they found it wouldn't sell at that price.

I think charity shops and small businesses that sell 'unique' items (in that there aren't always comparable versions of the item on the market at the time in terms of condition etc to base a price off) can often get prices wrong - which is why you can still get bargains in charity shops and secondhand book shops! But when they get them wrong in the either direction you do rely on the managers evaluating whether they'd prefer to get rid of an item at a lower price or maybe, one day, sell it at the higher price.

YABU. Charity shops are not there to provide bargains. They provide an income for charities.

I once haggled in a charity shop...

I bought dd a cot. It was for sale at £40

But the fancy pattern bit was missing. As a similar one on ebay for £25 plus postage. So I went back to ask if they had seen the missing bit.

Paid worker said I could have the cot for £20. I haggled her UP to £30 as the decoration wasn't important.

Ha ha at everyone saying you wouldn't haggle in a high street shop - you have no idea of the number of people that try (and then sulk when you say no)

Provisionally - couldn't agree with you more

But charity shops are there to provide bargains. If they've priced something at 50 and it's sat there for weeks getting shop soiled they really are better off accepting 35. It's very difficult to price stuff in charity shops - I know because I've done it. Sometimes if someone's dithering I'll tell them we can drop the price.

But charity shops are there to provide bargains this is what it comes down to! Are they, or to raise money for charities or both?

I personally wouldn't unless it was to draw attention to a fault, which I'd do in M&S too if it's the last one there.

The charity shops round me have massive no haggling signs up anyway.

Donated stuff gives 100% profit so more potential to haggle as better to have some money for something than none. Depends on the situation and item imo.

Also they often have price lists they are meant to comform to like £2.49 for a top, £4.99 for a dress etc which is why primarni stuff ends up overpriced.

I volunteer in a charity shop (big national charity). Its the official policy that no haggling is allowed. Prices only get reduced when there is a sale on. If something doesnt sell, after a few weeks it get sent on for recycling / rags / to be sold at another store. So even if the manager wanted accept a lower price, he / she cant.

hollieberrie

What happens to non-clothing items?

I did it today.

Item of clothing becoming very thin in a certain part. Pointed out that I'd need to reinforce, so manager reduced price.

And haggling isn't necessarily about getting a bargain! If I were to haggle on a charity shop it would be because I saw an item that I liked, but that I wouldn't pay more than a certain price for, perhaps because it was flawed or because I actually knew the going asking price for that sort of thing. In that context haggling just gives the shop a chance to take a sum of money from me for an item that might not otherwise shift. It wouldn't be about cheating the shop out of a fiver and rubbing my hands with glee!

Fastday I think it's both. Primarily they're trying to make money. But some people shopping there may be pretty broke and not far from needing charity themselves. Fair enough some shops don't allow it but it doesn't bother me if someone makes an offer.

Hmm, not sure. I think they go on to other stores if not sold in our branch. That's what happens with CDs, DVDs etc. There are lots of charity shops in our area and a guy with a van does a stock rotation between them all. Not entirely sure about bric-a-brac though. I am working there tomorrow so i will ask!

Gabilan I think it's good when the furniture places etc keep back some donations to give/sell for less to people on certain benefits or with SS referral. I'd be more in support of a proper system like that if it's for important stuff.

Agreed fastday. When I give to a charity shop I like to think it helps twice - once for the charity and 2nd time to the buyer

How do you barter in a shop? Offer them carrots from your allotment?

hollieberrie

Fair enough! I had horrid images of the lovely, far too expensive eighteenth century books that have been decorating the shelves of my local Oxfam being pulped if they didn't sell fast enough.

Charity shops are given pricing guides.

Sorry but I do get cross when people haggle in charity shops. If there is something wrong with the item then fine, but to do it to get a bargain seems mean spirited.

Just because you wouldn't pay a certain price doesn't mean someone else won't. I bought a brand new Radley purse in a local shop - it was half the price of the stores which made it seem expensive for a charity shop iyswim. But still - half price Radley purse! Then again, I got a gorgeous Ted Baker coat for £20. I'd have paid double that and been happy. Should I have bartered up?