Asking for a refund from a CHARITY shop?!

[Guyfree]

I was out shopping yesterday and, whilst in one of the local charity shops, overheard a woman at the till demanding for a refund for a top she had bought. She said she had bought it, tried it on in the shop, but once she got home she decided she didn’t like it. Admittedly, I don’t know how much the top was, but I can’t imagine it was a lot as it’s not an upmarket charity shop or area particularly.

The staff kept saying that they didn’t give refunds, only credit notes, but the woman insisted she wanted a refund.

I just found the whole exchange really bizarre. When I buy something from a charity shop, I make sure it’s a considered purchase, and would never ask for a refund! On times I have regretted purchases I just take the hit in the knowledge I’ve at least donated some money to charity.

YABU - asking for a refund from a charity shop is fine.

YANBU - asking for a refund from a charity shop is tight and strange!

If the shop offers refunds, you don't need to suck it up.

The right answer is to ask for store policy before buying a pricey item.

@Misthios - agree with you, most peculiar!

@drusth I have never said I am perfect at checking and I never return anything, that’s a complete mischaracterisation. What I said was, I always check for faults, breaks etc. before I buy something at a charity shop because I do not think it’s correct to return items there. Everyone knows there is a possibility that something from a charity store is faulty, they cannot physically check every item thoroughly, hence often the prices are cheap. If I do discover something is wrong with the item or I simply don’t want it anymore, I write the money off as I see it as a charitable donation.

What if she realised she shouldn't have bought it after all, because she couldn't actually afford it?

If someone is desperately seeking a refund over a few pounds in any shop, they need that money.

It doesn't matter that it's a "charity" shop.

So that makes out OK to shout at a volunteer shop assistant, and demand she go against policy?
Sometimes I think there is no hope for the world.

I would have washed it and returned it to be resold. I definitely would not ask for a refund. Some people are just arseholes.

Of all the things that could make you think “there is no hope for the world”, someone changing their mind about a charity shop top is right up there on your list?

Some people really love to dial up the drama.

The woman shouting at a volunteer was 'dialling up the drama'

There is no excuse for that

Demanding a refund from a charity shop is just low

This

What makes charity shopping fun is that you get to try stuff cheaply and you feel good about washing it and returning it

No harm no foul

Charity shops are really variable. I live in a 'deprived' area and there are two or three in our town which are incredibly cheap. I used to donate to the local Sue Ryder but then saw they sell everything for three pounds or less, which is great for a lot of stuff but less so for decent things such as designer clothing etc.

I now give them my bog standard stuff, but take my nice things to the next town which has a huge army base and lots of wives looking for ballgowns and occasion wear etc. Their prices are much higher but they have lovely stuff, worth more to a charity than a pound or two.

I also went to another local town and saw a stained teeshirt hung in pride of place for people to see - and priced at £8. I forget the brand - it was a brand but nothing fancy. Who the heck is going to pay that for something with a stain on the front which the staff said they didn't know if it would come out?? But because it said Fatface or whatever it was, they got carried away......

Charity shops are great and I admire all the volunteers, but they really vary in both quality and price.

But for the cheaper ones at least - asking for a refund just seems so cheap!

(And all the people who shoplift from them - unspeakable slime).

Also saw one selling a pair of cheap daps for £5, when the shoezone shop next door had the same ones brand new for £4.99.....😂

My local charity shop offers refunds. I bought some boots that I couldn’t try on because they didn’t have a shoe horn. They didn’t fit, so they gave me a refund. I also bought another item to help me for a few days. I returned this so they could sell it again, without requiring a refund.
Considering that they are gifted these items and can sell them again if returned, I don’t see a problem!

The OP never said she shouted. You and others have at best assumed and at worst invented this.

Oh, how lovely!

You do realise that for some people it’s not “fun” and a nice excuse to try different clothes cheaply, but how they actually have to live?

I buy a garment, the charity gets paid for the garment, I don't like it, they get it back and get to sell it again

I fail to see how that's bad

No one said it was. It’s the dismissing anyone who asks for a refund as an “arsehole” that I find tacky and tone deaf.

I’m the same as you HOWEVER understand that some people on the breadline cannot afford to take such a loss. To some a refund might be essential to cover the cost of some milk and bread.

I was in a cheap charity shop when a woman tried to get a refund, shop was willing if she had proof of purchase but she didn't, but she wouldn't budge, saying she gave a lot of the shop and wasn't trying to pull a fast one etc. The assistant seemed to have learning difficulties/mental health issue so was getting flustered by the woman, finally the manager came down and again explained that they were happy to give refund with proof of purchase....the item was about £3-£3.5. Again the woman kept saying she donated loads to the shop so was trustworthy. Eventually another customer said exactly what I was thinking, he said it in a calm quiet voice: 'it costs so little, you like to donate to this shop, why not consider this another donation?'
She left with the item, possibly to check again for her receipt, but sadly she did come across as a cheapskate.

You could always mind your business? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Honestly, as a volunteer it does not ever go through my mind to "pity" a customer who asks for a refund, or assume they are doing so because they can't afford to lose the money. It's just a very standard, normal thing and not even worth mentioning.

Lucky you, that you can afford to make donations to charity. Seems you use charity shops because you want to, not because you need / have too. So much pompous BS on mumsnet. Mumsnet should be renamed middleclass net / no clue net. 🙄

I might ask if I was on the bones of my arse and really needed the money. But not because I'd changed my mind as I'd already tried it in the shop!

Otherwise I'd just donate it back to the shop and choose something else.

I worked in a charity shop and we issued refunds all the time

Nah, of course not.
Charity is everything.
Think really hard before you buy anything and if not fitting, just lob it in the bin.
🙄😂

I worked in a charity shop and we issued refunds all the time

Ditto. Often to regular customers who bought stuff weekly. They always come back and buy more. No issue.