to be annoyed clock of clock/radio just purchased in charity shop doesn't work

[Pangurban1]

That's it. I saw a lovely little retro Philips clock/radio in a charity shop. I asked the person at the counter if it worked and the guy said you'd just need the batteries. Have brought it home and put in the batteries. Radio blaring, but still a stopped clock face.

It was dirt cheap, 3.99. Bought it for it's dual purpose. Should I return it? Do charity shops goods have to work or are they exempt?

Take it back. They operate as any other shop.

Yes- I'd take it back. I wouldn't necessarily ask for money back but it is useful feedback to the shop to let them know.

Whoever is testing electricals needs to know they messed up on this occasion. I would want to know if it was my shop or if I was the tester. If you don't flag it up, more people could buy things that haven't been tested and be disappointed eg kids getting toys for Christmas, or customers who would avoid the shop after such a problem.

But it wasn't an electrical clock/radio so didn't have to be PAT tested. That's one of the reasons that our local charity shops will NOT accept electrical donations. £50 call-out plus £2 per item isn't within their budget, and they can't sell an electrical item without it being PAT tested.

The seller thought it just needed batteries. The new batteries have enabled the radio but NOT the clock.

The OP is well within his/her rights to take it back and ask for a refund. Charity shops operate under the same trading rules as any other shop. The cost is immaterial to be honest. This was NOT a donation, it was a purchase.

araiba - it's rubbish in what respect? The taste? No, we go there every week for their Wing It Wednesday and it's bloody lovely. The price? Umm...no. Get off your high horse.

the quality is rubbish- a pint of beer that is at its end- they buy barrels cheap just before their best before date. the food is microwaved frozen stuff. that's why it's rubbish.

Do you ever think about how they can knock out a plate of food and a drink for a price less than some places just charge for a beer?

where is the AIBU? the point I am making is that someone bought something from a shop that doesn't work- how can anyone say anything other than you can take it back for a refund? the fact it was £4 and from a charity shop may lead to some people asking if it is really worth doing but that is up to the OP

YANBU

DD bought herself a Scene It game with her pocket money the other week. It cost £4. When she checked it in the car the DVD was missing. We returned it.

So just because it's for charity she can't return it? Take it back 3.99 isn't cheap at all for a charity shop.

These sort of threads come up regularly and are always split between those who think you shouldn't return items to a charity shop if defective and those who think you should never return things to a charity shop and should consider what you paid for the faulty item a donation.

Personally I think you have the right to return the item as you were promised a working clock/radio and what you received was a partially working clock/radio. If you are struggling with the refund aspect then just find something else in the shop to exchange in it's place. Then the charity keeps the donation at least.

• should return items - that should have read