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?

@raspberrymuffin, you are right about the volunteers, some of whom have learning needs and/or are neurotypical. Others just aren't familiar with working, and customer service is an unknown. There are opportunities for those on unemployment benefits to get NVQ qualifications, and its a real success story if a previously unemployed person builds up the skills and confidence to find paid work. Doesn't happen often unfortunately.

Older volunteers are getting fewer, its a shame, because most of us bring some work skills. We have one volunteer who is spot on with books, several have made good money on ebay. Sometimes we put them in the shop first, but perhaps its our area and they rarely sell. Similarly another will spend time going through tangled and broken jewellery to find something saleable. And another washes the dirty glass and china, we wouldn't dream of displaying in its original state!

Just a reminder to those who really want to buy an odd plate, or a fork, or a saucer, or a dog eared paperback from the 90s. Any of those might be found in some charity shops, but not all.

I'm sure no-one here is guilty, but just in case I'll make a plea not to donate (dump) light up Christmas decs, mains or battery, that no longer work. If they don't work with your batteries or electricity, they won't work with ours. We have a big tub for donations at our front door, it shouldn't be confused with a rubbish bin. We all have those at home.

@Seymour5

I'm sure no-one here is guilty, but just in case I'll make a plea not to donate (dump) light up Christmas decs, mains or battery, that no longer work. If they don't work with your batteries or electricity, they won't work with ours. We have a big tub for donations at our front door, it shouldn't be confused with a rubbish bin. We all have those at home.

Well said

Disgusting behaviour. Some people ....

@abstractzebra I sold a hostess trolley for £40 on Facebook. Person collecting it was delighted and said she'd been looking for ages but they get snapped up really quickly...

I used to love charity shops because not only did it benefit charity, you also got a bargain. Stuff I’ve had in the past has included Victorian pressed glass dishes, odd drinking glasses (over time I built up a matching set), patterned serving plates from the 60s, nearly new toys for DC, loads of 10p books, and mismatched mugs (for the builders). Unfortunately nowadays it’s not worth trawling through the shops because they skim off all the best stuff and EBay it. It’s about five years since I had a bargain.

@IHaveBrilloHair

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.

You ould put it on a free site on FB, loads of people love anything that is free!

@DonkeyMcFluff

I used to love charity shops because not only did it benefit charity, you also got a bargain. Stuff I’ve had in the past has included Victorian pressed glass dishes, odd drinking glasses (over time I built up a matching set), patterned serving plates from the 60s, nearly new toys for DC, loads of 10p books, and mismatched mugs (for the builders). Unfortunately nowadays it’s not worth trawling through the shops because they skim off all the best stuff and EBay it. It’s about five years since I had a bargain.

Of course they do they need to make money for the Charity they are not just there to give people a bargain, my DH runs 2 shops a few weeks ago he had a vintage Wedgewood glass animal donated, complete with sticker on - on eBay the prices ranged from £10.00 starting bid to £24 buy it now, he had it in his shop for a week for £8, no-one would pay even that, he got complaints that 'you get it free' etc, so yes he eventually put it on eBay and got £22, that's not £22 in his pocket (if that's what you were trying to imply) that's £22 for a charity that has had its funding decimated by covid and the lock downs.

@Oldsu £8 is a bargain to someone who really wants it. Not to those who want to sell it on Ebay themselves. 😏

I tried to give an amazing large single adjustable bed away to a charity shop. Works perfectly. Gently used by my grandma before she passed away and has been sat in my spare room unused. Was rejected because of a small grease smudge I removed in 2 seconds after they’d left.

I guess that was when I started to question the “standards”. I’d just be happy to have a wonderful medical bed, not taken someone’s head off at the shop because of a smudge. So I think the shoppers at these stores bear some responsibility for the so-called pickiness of volunteers.

£8 is a bargain to someone who really wants it. Not to those who want to sell it on Ebay themselves
I don’t intend to sell on EBay. But why would I bother trawling round charity shops when I can go on EBay and buy the same item? For a bargain, that’s why. If it’s not a bargain then I might as well just buy it on Ebay, it’s more convenient. If charity shops have no bargains then people stop going.

@DonkeyMcFluff

£8 is a bargain to someone who really wants it. Not to those who want to sell it on Ebay themselves I don’t intend to sell on EBay. But why would I bother trawling round charity shops when I can go on EBay and buy the same item? For a bargain, that’s why. If it’s not a bargain then I might as well just buy it on Ebay, it’s more convenient. If charity shops have no bargains then people stop going.

The item sold for £22 on Ebay. So £8 seems very fair to me. I also think when people donate quality items, its a bit of an insult to sell them for next to nothing.