To think charity shops refusal to reduce is sometimes unreasonable.

[roseforarose]

I realise that some charity shops aren't allowed to but i think some shops must lose quite a bit of business by their outright refusal to accept a "knock down", usually saying "we aren't allowed, it's a set price" sort of thing.

I wonder if that's always true, because recently i asked if they'd take a bit less on some walking boots which i thought were a bit dear, got told "no we can't" then i noticed the brand new price underneath theirs and it was only about £2 less brand new. When i pointed it out she said "well if that's the case I will reduce them for you" . So she did have the power to reduce after all.
So when they say they can't reduce, maybe in a lot of shops they can if they want to?

[roseforarose]

Only on mumsnet would people be "shocked" at haggling in a charity shop. Nearly very time i go in one i see people offering a big less than the price given. It's hard times for a lot of people. Some shops do some don't, it's not a big deal. Sod off with all the indignation.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Err it's a shop!! Do you go into next or gap and haggle? I'm guessing not. And those shops aren't even supporting charities! Get a grip YABU!

Yes if there's a fault I point it out and they will offer a discount. When I bought furniture in Oak Furniture world( or whatever it's called) I asked if they could include a small side table as I was buying a few items and they said no but I could choose another item up to £300- so clearly they were expecting to be asked as they had a whole section I could choose from. You can ask "what's your best price ?" in somwhere that sells white goods and they will give you a 'manager's discount' without batting an eyelid,I've never been refused it. It's very common.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

But surely some people use charity shops because they can't afford to go elsewhere? No that's not why I use charity shops.

[LunaLoveg00d]

Charity shop managers aren't well paid - around £8.30 an hour I think. More than minimum wage, but not much. We have one paid member of staff in our shop, think she's on a 37.5 hour a week contract but the shop is open Monday - Saturday 9-5 and also for 4 hours on a Sunday. She's not always there and often it's purely volunteers in the shop.

Volunteers do a lot of pricing - adhering to the price guide set by the manager. I spent two mornings this week pricing and sorting, and so did everyone else as the manager wasn't in. Only things which are particularly unusual or which we think may be very valuable are set aside for her to price. We have a real mix of people working in the shop, during the week it is mostly older people who have retired, or mums like me who work part time and can fit in a few hours a week around their kids and other committments. It's younger people at weekends. Haven't ever seen a charity shop with a loyalty scheme either, we have some very loyal customers anyway, I see the same people regularly.

[TheCustomaryMethod]

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen

But surely some people use charity shops because they can't afford to go elsewhere? No that's not why I use charity shops.

I'm struggling to understand your point - I said 'some people use charity shops because they can't afford to go elsewhere' not 'DameDiazepam uses charity shops because she can't afford to go elsewhere.'

[thatdearoctopus]

I've just donated hundreds of pounds worth of quality clothing from my terminally ill mother to my local shop. I would like the proceeds of those sales to benefit those with cancer, not shoppers like the OP who are out to save themselves further pennies.

[OurBlanche]

But surely some people use charity shops because they can't afford to go elsewhere? That tends to be dealt with by managers and front of house staff who get to know their regulars really well.

A lot of 'stuff' goes directly to groups that support single parents, etc.

We also set aside bags of stuff that comes in if we know a specific woman in need. Last week we got 2 bags of girls clothes, including school uniforms. We had had a request from the school for any clothes in that size, they went to 2 families via the school's hardship fund.

OK, our hospice got nothing from that deal, but that is how local charities work. The school will make a quiet donation later in the year, no one need know about the arrangement.

There is a lot more to some charity shops!

[OurBlanche]

I know I said 'woman', that was because I had a specific case in mind. That should be:

We also set aside bags of stuff that comes in if we know a specific person in need.

[roseforarose]

thedearoctopus charity shops are meant to benefit "penny pinching"shoppers as much as the charity itself, otherwise they'd fold.
I've also donated hundreds of pounds worth of stuff, i don't want a medal.

[lifetothefull]

I was genuinely shocked at a pair of trousers for 24.99 in oxfam the other day. Still there a week later surprise surprise. Maybe I should have asked for a discount.

[thatdearoctopus]

Where did I say I wanted a medal? I'm explaining why I find your attitude towards supporting a charity objectionable.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

The customary sorry,I skim read and missed your 'some'

[Bluntness100]

i asked if they'd take a bit less on some walking boots which i thought were a bit dear, got told "no we can't" then i noticed the brand new price underneath theirs

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

Life yes Oxfam is very expensive ime

[Starlight2345]

I tend to not bother going in ...Simply as I think they are overpriced.

We have an oxfam bookshop in our town which isn't that is the only one I tend to go in..I do donate to charity just not necessarily through a charity shop.

[Backt0Black]

FFS OP, just pay or don't. Completely unreasonable to haggle in a charity shop. Shame on you. And I do mean shame

[TheCustomaryMethod]

DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen

Ah, makes sense now, thanks . I'm a user-by-choice too - it sounds odd but I'm so used to charity shops/eBay/vintage shops etc. and hunting for things in my size, it feels really dull to walk into a high street shop and just pull something straight from the rack.

[roseforarose]

Nope, sorry backoblack i don't feel the slightest shame. I've a perfectly clear conscience. i bet i donate more than the average person to charity shops. I don't feel any guilt whatsoever.

[OverTheGardenGate]

Only on mumsnet would people be "shocked" at haggling in a charity shop

I don't think anybody is shocked. Most normal people find it mean-spirited.

[roseforarose]

At last a bit of sense, well said kelpeed. All the self righteousness on the thread was getting a bit boring.

[LunaLoveg00d]

I suppose it comes down to what you think charity shops are for, maximising funds for the charity, or providing cheap "stuff".

Most people I speak to in our shop are there because they know we have great stock, they want good quality stuff at a reasonable price (not necessarily dirt cheap) and they want something a bit different.

[kali110]

Op i have lots of them by me and never in all the years ( and it's many) that i've gone in charity shops have i ever seen people haggling.
I've been short of money and i've still never haggled.
'Mean to benefit penny pinchers' really?

[maggiethemagpie]

I work for a charity shop and the stock that doesn't get sold in the regular shops goes to special clearance or £1 shops - so they do get sold eventually and for people looking for a bargain the clearance shops are a godsend.

But we always try and get more for decent stock first. Why wouldn't we? The money goes to charitable work (after overheads) but it's run as a business.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

TheCustomaryMethod yes, me too