Annoyed at people ranting about charity shops

[Dowhadiddydiddydum]

This is one those threads that’s a release of frustration. So apologies for it being so boring.

AIBU for getting pissed off at seeing people moaning constantly about charity shops and their pricing? It’s driving me insane.

Most people’s objections seem to be based on….

• Charity shops should be cheap…because they’re a charity ain’t they
• I could buy that stuff cheaper elsewhere.
• people give them things for free then they make loads of money from it.

Now am I loosing my god damn mind or do people not understand the point of charity shops is to FUCKING RAISE MONEY. So of course they want to raise as much money as possible. Of course people donate stuff for free….because they donate it so the charity can make money from it!! If you think you can get it cheaper elsewhere then bloody do it….if the shop is that over priced it’ll close down won’t it.

Been tipped over the edge by a shitty TikTok video someone made slating a local
hospice charity shop for selling their items for “too much”. The video has so many shitty comments under it….all apparently oblivious to the fact the shop exists to raise as much money as possible to support those with life limiting illnesses not so Barbara and Jeff can get a cheap table.

Most people don't know how things work, only how it affects them.

Can’t say I’ve been aware of any kind of epidemic of complaining about charities!

Too true!!

I’ve just seen it a lot this week, once in a discussion in the office, then on FB and now on TT. Probably not that big a deal. Just all seem to have the basic misunderstanding. Charity shops are not providing charity (well some are but most aren’t), most are raising money for charity. Those that are a charitable resource themselves usually do provide v cheap items to those in need.

With regard to the pricing, it makes no sense when a charity shop prices a used/second hand item at, or above the price it sells for when new. There is also an argument for saying that, if a charity shop prices items too high, they won’t sell, and so the stock in the shop doesn’t change, which makes them less attractive to customers - if it’s always the same stuff, people will stop going in.

But if they price things cheaply, and get fast turnover of their stock, people will keep on coming in, to see what is new - so the argument is that lowering the price and increasing the turnover, actually makes more money for the charity shop.

I also think that charity shops have two aims - making money for the charity, of course, but also providing people who don’t have much money the opportunity to buy things they need, but otherwise couldn’t afford.

They make money by selling second hand clothes. It’s no use selling a £4 top from Primark for £3.99, which I see only too often.

Or an ancient, bobbly dress with a Boden label for £15 - again, only too common.

A lot of the chazzers near me price unrealistically. Of course, someone will come on to say that “some people must think the prices are ok” - which is fine by me, but I won’t pay some of the prices.

You can still get the occasional nice thing at a reasonable price though, and I do a lot of charity shopping.

I love charity shops, but they are sometimes ridiculous in their pricing. One time I had to run into Primark to buy an emergency basic T shirt (spilled food). Cost me £2. Charity shops often sell exactly the same kind for £3 - 4.

Sorry but point 1 is valid.

There are some shops in London that sell designer and good quality stuff so the price makes sense. Charging £7 for a shitty h&m top is cheeky.

Of course, people can choose not to buy it. But charity shops aren't expect from criticism.

I love charity shops however the problem is fast fashion - people sell their good stuff on vinted and then give the cheap stuff to charity shops. What happens is then the charity shop sells the primark top for about the same amount you could have bought it in primark. I don't think it's wrong to complain about that.

Charity shops exist to make money but the people that shop there do want to get clothes cheaper than elsewhere there. It makes commercial sense to price things properly to shift it. A lot don't get this right. I don't think it's wrong to complain about that.

Plenty of charity shops price things above the new price when it has signs of wear. That is bonkers, and poor business sense.

FUCKING RAISE MONEY. So of course they want to raise as much money as possible.

Well they won’t be raising much by pricing bobbly or faded primark tops for £8!
Honestly, it’s dire in our area. We have always supported out local charity shops and, from being small, dc would get excited at the prospect of a rummage through the offerings at our favourite charity shops, but all of the ones near me are now so awful I rarely enter these days, but I’m always disappointed when I do.
The colour blocking has also ruined it for me, but I accept that’s a whole other issue.

But charity shops run like any other shop. If they price too high or don’t have stock that sells then they’ll close down. Charities don’t keep shops open that aren’t making money. If a charity shop is open and making money then obviously, despite people feeling their prices are too high, they are making money…..and given the point is to raise as much money as possible for their charities states aims then of course they’re going to make as much as possible.

people seem to think charities are stupid. They’re not. The big charities especially put a lot of thought into how their run their shop to maximise how much money they make. Like any other shop.

We paid £10 for 2 wetsuits on the summer. Now that was an absolute bargain.

Books for 50p. Bargain

Jigsaws with bits missing, extremely worn clothes etc... not bargains.

I think if you see the world through the lens of Facebook and Tick Tock you’re going to get a whole bunch of uninformed opinions that don’t make sense.

But they must be making money or they’d close no? Just because you think their things are too expensive doesn’t mean they aren’t selling.

I agree it’s odd when things are priced higher than the original.

Fair point.
I need to come off TT….it often makes me irrationally angry about random things.

Unused CDs for 50p? No complaints from me. I recently bought a handful.

To be fair I’m not saying they should be exempt from criticism. I’m just saying people don’t seem to understand that their purpose is to make as much money as possible. Given so many charity shops are charging more, I’m guessing it isn’t a coincidence, it’s an actual strategy that works for them.

@Dowhadiddydiddydum - my point is that, paradoxically, the shops would make more money if they were pricing things more cheaply, and, at the same time, they would be more affordable for people who need them.

I think people do get that they need to make as much money as possible but they don't want to be rippped off while doing so. Everything has already been said in the first few answers. Isn't it only oxfam that charge more?

There is a massive gap in our society for the kind of recycling shop that exists in Belgium and the Netherlands, huge enterprises where nearly everything that comes through the door is recycled , mended or cleaned and is PUT OUT ON THE SHELF, and sold at affordable prices.
Not only are these great for the environment, they also support vulnerable people with meaningful work opportunities, and people with lower incomes with affordable stuff.
So much that is donated to UK charity shops goes in the bin out the back.

Charity shops are there solely to raise money for their charity so of course they will try and price things as high as they can. They rely on donations for their merchandise so it's not always possible to have a constantly changing turnover of stock
Their business model won't be the same as most retail.
If something doesn't sell however and it seems overpriced they will reduce it.
Sometimes people will get bargains and that's good but that really isn't their aim.

I was in a charity shop when a homeless man came in and quietly spoke to the behind the counter, who brought out a cardboard box, the guy looked in, picked out a pair of gloves, thanked him and left. No fuss, quietly kind. I wish I could remember which shop.

I presume there have been cost rises relating to staff wages (the manager is on a salary) and the cost of heating and lighting. Prices have noticeably gone up though.

Out of interest What makes you think they’d make more money if they priced things more cheaply?

Do you not think the likes of BHF, Barnardo’s, cancer research etc have marketing strategies, do you not think they record and monitor sales and what works and what doesn’t for increasing profits?

People seem to think charity shops run like they did 30 years ago. With little old ladies making up random prices and selling mulberry handbags for £2. Maybe Tony charities are like that but the large charities aren’t. They are run very much like any other retail business.