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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take childhood books to a charity shop (chalet school)

73 replies

AlmostSpringclean · 20/02/2022 13:36

Of course I wouldn't be unreasonable but will I regret it?

They were bliss in childhood, an alternate world, but won't be read again at home. They have been sat untouched in boxes for probably 20+ years now. In a charity shop they might be enjoyed again.

OP posts:
SylviasMotherSaid · 20/02/2022 13:40

There are dedicated Chalet School selling pages on Facebook where you could sell and donate profit to charity (if giving to charity is the main reason behind it ) but they are the type of books you sometimes really want to go back to after selling ! I sold all of my childhood collection when eBay first came out and bitterly regret now

BabyofMine · 20/02/2022 13:41

I absolutely wouldn’t get rid of them. Not unless, if you decided you wanted them again, you are prepared to pay quite a lot of money.

If you do decide to donate to charity, I personally would sell them on eBay and donate the funds raised by the sales to charity. A lot of them are worth quite a lot of money, and if you just give to a shop you risk them selling them for 50p each and someone who knows the resale value making the profit rather than the charity.

I’d still keep them either way. I bet you could make a gorgeous display of them.

Why are you so sure you will you never read them again?! I occasionally dip back into childhood favourites. You might feel very differently when your older, and deeply regret it. I speak from bitter experience.

SockQueen · 20/02/2022 13:44

Definitely worth trying to sell them - there are collectors around (I am a very amateur one). Try a lady called Gill Bilski books on FB.

ShinyMe · 20/02/2022 13:47

Depending which ones you have, I'll buy them from you right now!

Jaime321 · 20/02/2022 13:49

Im desperately trying to build my collection if you are thinking of selling!

Original poster
AlmostSpringclean · 20/02/2022 13:50

I was thinking more about someone enjoying them than the money for the charity shop (although obviously that's good). @SylviasMotherSaid they sold for lots when eBay was new, I remember how tempting.

At the time I thought my future children might enjoy them but they definitely won't!

OP posts:
Original poster
AlmostSpringclean · 20/02/2022 13:54

To be really honest I was put off eBay as I'm rubbish at posting things. But I would be willing post one or two if anyone spots one they haven't read. I'll need was a few minutes to list though!!

OP posts:
Jaffapaffa · 20/02/2022 14:09

And I'm another one who would be very interested in buying these books!

CremeEggThief · 20/02/2022 14:11

Oh gosh, even scruffy, ripped, abridged paperback versions of these will sell, OP. There are some threads about the Chalet School in the reading part of this site, if you want to have a look to see what sort of interest there is.

cloverleafy · 20/02/2022 14:11

Charity shops would seem a horrible waste.

CounsellorTroi · 20/02/2022 14:12

Another one saying sell them, don’t give them away. You can donate the money if you want.

ThreeB · 20/02/2022 14:13

Oh don't do it. Use a specialist site or keep them for days when you need the literary equivalent of a hug, a warm blanket and a hot chocolate.

Scout2016 · 20/02/2022 14:16

If you want to donate I'd sell them and give the money to charity. I think the charity will get more that way.
Curious what these books are, they come up a lot.

murasaki · 20/02/2022 14:17

My mum collects them, even going so far as to pay for a photocopy of one of the rarer ones, the mad woman! They are worth money, don't just give them away.

TheYearOfSmallThings · 20/02/2022 14:19

Honestly don't just box them up and take them to your local charity shop. They might think "Old books, nobody will want these" and tip them into the recycling. Which would be a real shame, when so many people are chasing these books.

MrsHamlet · 20/02/2022 14:21

I discovered mine had been charity shopped at Christmas. I'm still sad about it

haggisaggis · 20/02/2022 14:24

Mine got binned after I left home and I’m another one trying to rebuild a set! Don’t charity shop them.

listsandbudgets · 20/02/2022 14:28

Which have you got.. get yourself onto Chalet School Sells and Wants on Facebook. You'll get some very keen buyers...

Or jsut give them to me Grin

listsandbudgets · 20/02/2022 14:31

Chalet School Sales and Wants]

Original poster
AlmostSpringclean · 20/02/2022 14:42

My thinking about a charity shop was it would be lovely if someone else enjoyed them.

I wasn't really expecting offers to buy them - sorry!(And pretty sure I wouldn't be meant to sell on MN!!)

Wondering why charity shop seems a waste. I thought people might enjoy finding one they haven't read there. I used to get excited to come across one.

My kids have suggested I keep my favourites.

For those who might enjoy the pics....
There are a few more hardbacks but without the cover, some nearly 70 years old!

To take childhood books to a charity shop (chalet school)
To take childhood books to a charity shop (chalet school)
To take childhood books to a charity shop (chalet school)
OP posts:
bridgetjonesmassivepants · 20/02/2022 14:47

I got over £300 for mine and that was over 10 years ago!
DO NOT give them to a charity shop - put them on Ebay. You could sell them as a bundle if you can't be bothered putting them on individually.

FelicityBeedle · 20/02/2022 14:58

Unless it’s a specialist books charity shop I really wouldn’t risk it. Too high a chance they won’t realise how popular they are and would bin them. Sell as a bundle or individually and treat yourself!

Legoisthebest · 20/02/2022 15:27

Unless it's a specialist charity bookshop like an Oxfam one then I wouldn't. Your average charity shop would probably not sell them as a bundle they would just dump them loose in a box to get bashed or randomly just shove them anywhere on the shelves so they aren't together.
No offence to charity shop workers but that often happens.
eBay or specialist seller group is definitely the way to go.
Or offer them for free locally.

Original poster
AlmostSpringclean · 20/02/2022 15:27

Yes would be a shame if they binned them. Will have a think.

OP posts:
liliainterfrutices · 20/02/2022 15:29

I’d keep them. I pondered selling mine a few years ago, as I haven’t read them for ages. Have had really stressful 2022 so far and have turned to them again. There is no better comfort reading!