Charity shop donations

[Seymour5]

I'm a volunteer in a charity shop, and it's an eye opener. The items for sale are gratefully received, even unsaleable old and torn clothing is sold in bulk, as are damaged books.

However, donations regularly include: Chipped and cracked ceramics and glass; bog standard odd plates, cups, saucers; odd bits of cutlery; ancient plastic utensils; bags full of plastic coathangers; shoes with soles hanging off; opened and part used toiletries; broken toys.

My question is, who do donors think would buy a broken toy for their child? Or a filthy, plastic drainer, or a torn lampshade?

I used to work in a charity shop as a teen.

Pee encrusted underwear.
Used sex toys.

I get you, but what's wrong with the coat hangers?
I'd have thought they'd be useful.

I've bought mismatched cutlery, and plates and bowls from a charity shop. If they are undamaged and I like them then I don't see why they need to match?

Not that I’m defending but could it be they are literally having a clear out?

Do people really have the mind space to have three boxes named Charity, tip or keep?
I know I do a specific charity clear out but I’m special

Saying that, not many people seem to even bother with Charity shops now the Internet exists, given the amounts if posts I see where people are asking for everything free.
When I had nothing 20 years ago I'd go to the charity shops for bits and bobs of cutlery, pans, kitchenware, clothes and all sorts.

Nothing wrong with mis matched plates & cups. We sell a lot in our shop - sometimes students in a house share just want one of everything, or elderly. Coat hangers are sometimes ok but sometimes we have enough - please ask.

If you’re having a clear out don’t just send us everything- it’s not our job to sort your rubbish for you. That’s your job !

That’s terrible. I only take things to the charity shop that I genuinely think think they may want.

The last time I went I discussed the donations with the assistant, she happily took the nearly new clothes, the books and the crockery but didn’t want the electrical goods as it was one of those 2 in 1 hairdryer and blow dry brush things and they’re not allowed, and she didn’t want the VHS (not sure what I was thinking there!)

It’s not that they think people will buy it, it’s that they don’t want it and see charity shops as a good place to dump and get rid of their junk, and feel good about doing so.

When our local charity shop was closed during both lockdowns, the amount of stuff left outside was a disgrace. It was obvious that people were just trying to dump their stuff, maybe because tips were closed. Anyone with an ounce of sense would have known that the shop would not benefit. Quite the opposite as presumably the council would charge each time they collected.

Skid stained trousers and pants. 🤮

You know when someone has passed away and their relatives decide to chuck everything in a bin bag and donate it. Please go through it first.

At work, when I used to go in, we routinely run out of cutlery and crockery. I'd pop into charity shops for these items. Happy to have unmatched things.

However, a few years ago I took a bag of good quality clothes and a bag of decent toys and the assistant snapped at me “stop! We don’t DO toys anymore, let me check what else you have before you leave”
There was no sign saying no toys.
I took my stuff and left.

I’ve never donated to that shop again, I understand that people do jump dump crap but I shouldn’t be tarred by others actions.

Its amazing what people can create from things like this though. A broken toy for a child could be turned into something else not for a child. Used or opened bath products is a no no for obvious reasons but one man's rubbish could be another man's treasure. It must be annoying if they don't sell though and you get mounds of items similar!

Some charity shops may use old, mismatched plastic coathangers, the bigger ones are set out like other retail stores and use matching wooden ones. No one uses broken ones! We will sell a nice cup and saucer, odd plates and bowls if they are in good condition. Some are too scratched and stained.

@Purplemist you're right, and it costs the charity for removal.

Pee and skid stained and worse! We steam clean a lot, but some items are indescribable. I just wish people would consider ' would I buy it/use it/wear it?' before chucking it in a bag for a charity.

Is it right that you get paid for rags recycling though? That's why I would give clothes in not the best condition rather than just bin them- perhaps that's wrong?

Obviously I do donate decent things too

Could be accidental? I’ve just moved house and had a massive clear out. Took five black sacks of clothes and about ten boxes of assorted books and bric-à-brac to charity. I’m pretty sure that at least once or twice as I was packing, I mistakenly threw something meant for the trash bags into the charity bags. I’m reasonably sure that didn’t include sex toys, but couldn’t be sure it didn’t include a broken pair of shoes or random chipped crockery.

Tbh, if I don't know an actual person who wants whatever it is I've no use for, I just bin it now.
Wasteful I know but it's just too much hassle to do anything else.

@IHaveBrilloHair

I get you, but what's wrong with the coat hangers? I'd have thought they'd be useful.

I would have thought so.

@HeidiHoNeighbour

However, a few years ago I took a bag of good quality clothes and a bag of decent toys and the assistant snapped at me “stop! We don’t DO toys anymore, let me check what else you have before you leave” There was no sign saying no toys. I took my stuff and left.

I’ve never donated to that shop again, I understand that people do jump dump crap but I shouldn’t be tarred by others actions.

Was it oxfam? I was treated very rudely by a volunteer in there once and never went back. I didn't have rubbish in my bag but she insisted on getting every item out and inspecting it in full view of the shop saying Hmmm every so often.

There’s a charity shop near me that puts stuff up for sale that I’d be ashamed to put in the bin
Think knackered shoes,broken toys and torn clothes etc
I donate to that one as I don’t shop in it
We always have a charity bag on the go-and I always check that stuff is clean,ironed and not broken
Really winds me up when people just see it as a way of dumping their crap

I used to work in one and I’ve seen it all-from false teeth to paint spattered clothing

We once had a false leg donated!

My MIL will probably buy the random broken dirty shit and wrap it up for the DC at Christmas, she usually does this anyway.

Different charity shops have different style/approach/standards. Some are traditional, chuck it all in, no colour co-ordinating or matching hangers. Others are more boutique-y and would only put out naice things. I love a rummage in the mismatched cutlery and deadstock 80s tights.

Hangers are useful. Multiple bags full of them, not so much. Even if every donation brought a small bag with hangers the back shop of my local would be stacked to the roof with them.

It's a way of dumping stuff without having to queue up at the dump. Takes the piss.

I don't see the harm of mismatched plates in good condition ie not chipped or cracked. Also mismatched cutlery fine if in good condition. I hate those new style charity shops with everything all nice. If I want nice I go to John Lewis or similar.