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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think this is the end for charity shops?

177 replies

Therollockingrogue · 10/05/2020 15:12

I mean is it? I love charity shops, nearly everything I own is second hand, from car boot sales, charity shops etc etc . But the thought of a rummage now makes me feel a bit bleeeurghh. Anyone else?
Given that in some of our towns the high streets are just alternate vape shop/ nail bar /charity shops, what will happen?
Who would want to work in such an environment anyway after this, especially when most staff are volunteers ?

OP posts:
SpratsOnParade · 10/05/2020 15:15

I can't wait to get back to charity shop book hunting.

chunkyrun · 10/05/2020 15:15

I'd not even thought of that! I love car boots and charity shops. I hate to think how charities are going to suffer without that income

NiceLegsShameAboutTheFace · 10/05/2020 15:17

I can't wait to go back to the charity shops either.

sunshinesupermum · 10/05/2020 15:17

I've got bags of perfectly usable stuff looking for a home and hope charity shops will be able to open again soon.

GrimmsFairytales · 10/05/2020 15:17

I don't think it's the end, but I do think it will be a while before they and car boots able to open again.

Plenty of people are still buying, selling and giving away items in my area.

Original poster
Therollockingrogue · 10/05/2020 15:17

But plenty of the stuff that is donated is pretty grubby . And lots comes from house clearances.
Will anyone want to sort this stuff? And would volunteers really do this work for free?

OP posts:
Whatsnewpussyhat · 10/05/2020 15:18

There will need to be rules in place for donations etc but I think with the economy the way it's looking they might be needed more than ever.

minettechatouette · 10/05/2020 15:19

Charity shops are super-cheap to run, as they use volunteer labour and don't pay business rates. They'll also always be used by people who can't afford to buy new imho. So I very much doubt they'll be going out of business.

minettechatouette · 10/05/2020 15:19

Oh and they get their stock (or most of it) for free too obviously.

Original poster
Therollockingrogue · 10/05/2020 15:19

I wonder if it will still be possible to donate directly to stores? Or perhaps everything will have to be sent to clothing banks etc and cleaned and distributed off site?

OP posts:
SpratsOnParade · 10/05/2020 15:19

But plenty of the stuff that is donated is pretty grubby . And lots comes from house clearances.
Will anyone want to sort this stuff? And would volunteers really do this work for free?

Grubby stuff and house clearances aren't anything new. Sorting it wouldn't bother me.

BelfryBat · 10/05/2020 15:20

We already do it for free so why not?

All you have to do is quarantine it for 48 hours.

I'm wondering what your agenda is, OP.

FrenchtoEnglish · 10/05/2020 15:20

I run a charity shop. Our plan is that people can only donate on Wednesdays. Everything will go straight into cellar and be quarantined for three days. Sorted at the weekend, cleaned and put into shop or recyclés. Customers will be given hand gel on way in and must wear masks. The volunteers will wear gloves and masks. We're still thinking of how else we can make money. Selling online maybe... It's a big worry. We're an animal charity shop. Our money goes on sterilising and rehoming abandoned cats. I'm so worried.

covetingthepreciousthings · 10/05/2020 15:20

Rummaging in a charity shop isn't that different to rummaging in a high street chain in my opinion, you still don't know whose tried on items or whose touched it.

I don't think it'll be the end of them, they'll be completely inundated with donations, and presumably have to put measures in place to protect staff when sorting donations.

I think many will lose volunteers though, and may struggle to keep up with the workload of all the donations when short staffed.

Gawdsake2020 · 10/05/2020 15:21

It’s not the end. People are desperately waiting for them to reopen so they can donate stuff.
I’ll always continue using charity shops and I think others will, espically with the whole lack of money situation that is about hit the nation.

oooompa · 10/05/2020 15:21

I hope not, I've got 4 bags of stuff ready to donate that we didn't get a chance to do before lockdown.

Bakeachocolatecake · 10/05/2020 15:22

Charity shops need to be charged business rates like everyone else.... I'm not aganst them generally but it gets my goat to see small local businesses struggling to pay rates (in normal times) and going to the wall.

TheFlis12345 · 10/05/2020 15:23

Charity shops will be great after this, just think of all the people who are having lockdown sort outs!

Giggorata · 10/05/2020 15:23

I'm sure there are crowds of us who can't wait to get our serendipity fix.. and as for the infection issue, I’m also sure that gloves and masks will be worn for quite some time to come... a new fashion industry could be about to spring up. You heard it here first. 😷

Original poster
Therollockingrogue · 10/05/2020 15:24

My agenda? No agenda I’m just really curious.

I have been a vintage costume sourcer, which involved scouring the donations at enormous clothing donation depots . You need gloves. You often come across old tissues, condoms, and a skiddy pants 🤢So people in charity shops doing this for free after this covid 19 crisis? How will it be managed?

OP posts:
FrenchtoEnglish · 10/05/2020 15:25

We're in France by the way. We are allowed to open from tomorrow, but I'm waiting a further two weeks. Very concerned as vast majority of my volunteers are over 65.

Fairyliz · 10/05/2020 15:26

I’m a volunteer in a charity shop and I will go back as soon as possible. I know what valuable work the charity do and I want to help out.
Obviously we will have to take precautions where possible.

nevermorelenore · 10/05/2020 15:26

The main issue with the charity shops round here is that people have been dumping stuff outside their doors even though they are shut. The council has had to send out trucks just to clean the dozens of bin bags left in the rain.

I don't think it's the end of charity shops. The system of quarantining stuff sounds sensible, and clothes in a high street shop are just as likely to have been tried on etc. I'm looking forward to having a rummage again.

lyralalala · 10/05/2020 15:26

Charity shops need to be charged business rates like everyone else.... I'm not aganst them generally but it gets my goat to see small local businesses struggling to pay rates (in normal times) and going to the wall.

Surely a much better option would be to have a better rates system for small businesses?

Why the race to the bottom?

megletthesecond · 10/05/2020 15:29

I must admit I usually love them but I'm not keen to rush back. They'll have to quarantine everything.