To ask for discounts at charity shops

[GroaningGyrtle]

We have loads of really nice charity shops round where I live, and I shop there regularly.

However, there are a couple of shops that (IMO) massively overprice garments.

I picked up an unbranded top yesterday with a couple of loose threads at the bottom - took it to the till, and it was £9.50.

I paid it this time, but sometimes I have asked for discounts on the grounds of damage or things just not being sensibly priced.

Genuinely curious: is it better to ask for a discount sometimes, or to not buy the garment at all? Thanks in advance for opinions!

YABU: If you don't want to pay the price on the tag, leave it
YANBU: No harm in asking for a discount

I think some things are so overpriced. Surely asking for a discount is better than not buying.
I understand they are raising vital funds but if nobody is buying what the charity has been given they're not making anything.

I think its not very classy to haggle in charity shops. Unless you are in need of said charity, of course.

They will be getting less money because of there overpricing. Some seem to be very greedy and think because its for a good cause they can rip people off.

The more people that don't challenge the primark / supermarket tops being priced higher than brand new then they won't change.

Im now picking Vinted over charity shops and so are more people which results in less money for charities.

Where I shop, the charity shops all have clear notices which state that their prices are non negociable and that the volunteers on the till have no power to give discounts:

In which case, I wouldn’t ask.

I mean if there's a sign saying not to then don't, but as long as polite and accept their answer without making a fuss then why not. I used to volunteer in one and we were allowed to use our discretion (as long as it wasn't someone we knew), if something had been lingering around for a while and if it was a reasonable ask then was usually fine and would offer a bit. At the end of the day these items are donated for free, and lots ends up in landfill when stock is rotated so far better to get something for it.

I personally wouldn’t but I don’t see any harm in asking. I have pointed out high quality and designer things that I think they should increase the price of

@ThisHangryPinkBalonz
Exactly! Some are definitely pricing incorrectly - I find BHF the worst for this - have stopped even looking in there and won't donate items there anymore.

Presume a lot of people have as they are trying to tempt people in now with "Sale" signs in the window. Those signs weren't a thing pre- pandemic I'm sure.

Interesting comments. I have only ever asked for a discount on damaged items because I assume the damage wasn't noticed when it was priced and I am quite handy with a needle and thread but that takes time and extra cost.
I went to one shop on Saturday and a very badly shrunken very felted cashmere jumper was priced at £30 and there was a sign on the door saying 'no more donations - we are full' This is a lose lose for the charity for anyone who really cares about maximising income.
I have seen really blatant horrible haggling and that's very different. I am talking about saving items from landfill and supporting a good cause.

This is such a tasteless thing to do, I don't even know where to start.

What a shame that you decided to anyway x

It's baffling you'd post on an internet forum, ask if you're being unreasonable, and then take huge issue with people disagreeing with you.

I have no issue with people disagreeing; I take issue with people like you being rude and classist x

Bit amoral to rob the pockets of people in need.

Gosh yes, that’s exactly what’s happening here! Also, I think you mean “immoral” x

No, you've been extremely rude to most people on this thread disagreeing with you. If you can't take disagreement on the chin, then there is no point in posting. You also seem to have a huge chip on your shoulder about classism – me thinking one shouldn't haggle with a charity shop has zero to do with my opinion on social classes.

'amoral' is the correct term there.

Maybe check the dictionary.

To be fair amoral is right. Although how do they know you're not "robbing" cats protection or something? Bit presumptuous.

I’ve not been rude (let alone extremely) to anyone on here. I also don’t “haggle” in charity shops — perhaps a little less pearl-clutching and a little more close reading?

Yes, you have – sarcastic and highly defensive, for absolutely no reason. Surely you realised you would get some people not agreeing with you. Grow a thicker skin and look outside of your box. Attempting to negotiate the cost of something is haggling – but I suppose from the above we already know that definitions aren't your strong suit.

Asking politely if there’s any wiggle room on a price isn’t haggling, nor is disagreeing being “extremely rude.” Have a lovely evening x

But you know she’s right. How did you come up with the 100% profit idea when rent/utilities etc need to be paid for?

It's not though is it, honestly there's so much wastage in charity shops that anything we could sell even if for less than what is usually a finger in the air price was good. There's no harm in asking as long as polite and don't give the cashier grief if they say sorry no can't do that.

Neither does over charging for items though. Charity shops should be for people with little money to buy things as well as raising money for charity.