Wth is with charity shops no longer having changing rooms?!?

[Arghggggggh]

For the 4th time within the last month I have spent time browsing through a charity shops clothes rails, picked out a bunch of stuff to try on (dresses - can't try over clothes on shop floor) only to be told they have no changing room so I have wasted my time because I'm not trying without blinking buying.

Wth?!? Minor annoyance and yet so annoying. And I won't be bothering with any of them again. I've been to others who do have changing rooms and have bought stuff from them. Sigh.

Oh yes - so AIBu to think this is silly?

People nick stuff! Our local charity shop does let you return clothing though if it's the wrong size, so you can try things on at home instead. I agree it's a hassle but I think they must have been losing a lot of stock and it's not like buying new when it's easier to see if someone's wearing something off the rails.

I agree, it's very annoying and inconvenient to have to buy the clothes, try them on at home and return them for a refund if they don't fit, but it's probably helped them cut down massively on theft, which is very sad.

I don't think I've ever known a charity shop with changing rooms.

Tesco and ASDA don't have them either.

Just donate them back to the charity if they don't fit?

Ha - I was also going to say I no longer buy from F&F since they closed their change rooms.

I do understand stock loss - but this on particularly had it clothes rails so stuffed full I could barely look through them. I wonder how much business they are missing out on from not having changing facilities.

Oh well. It would have to be something very special to make be bother buying, trying at home and returning.

Weeeeelll, I shop there because I'm strapped but nice idea if one can

Probably losing less through reduced sales, than the theft that came from having the changing room.

Plus the public are utterly disgusting, no doubt they leave all sorts in changing rooms.

So just keep the receipt and return it

Maximise sales space and reduce the risk of shoplifting.

I've never taken anything back to a charity shop for a refund, but they're always insistent that I take the receipt so that I can take it back. Even the ones that have changing rooms.

But Tesco and Asda would refund if the clothes don't fit - I don't think this would happen in all charity shops. Not everyone can afford to lose the money they've spent.

@GandTtwice

Each charity shop will have a refund policy. Buyers can ask before purchase if they can get a refund if it dies fit and then make their decisions based on the answer.

This started during Covid and a lot of the shops never reopened them. You can get a refund but it's a big hassle having to buy it and try it on at home. It's definitely stopped me buying as much stuff!

Plenty of changing rooms here!

People steal and people use the changing rooms as toilets. If you're bothered then take it back for a refund

I personally don't bother, I just sling it in the charity bag and lose the few quid if it doesn't fit.

A friend volunteered in one and said people often had a poo on the floor in them.

YANBU. I had this exact problem yesterday in a charity shop (can't remember which). I found 3 pairs of likely looking jeans and went to ask if I could try them on. No. No changing room any more. How can anyone buy jeans without finding out if they fit? I didn't buy anything.

British Heart Foundation in my town have also got rid of their changing cubicle. They say you can bring things back if they don't fit, but this is pretty time-consuming. I used to buy loads from there, but now probably won't.

Not all charity shops are doing this thank god, but the ones that are will lose a lot of sales.

YANBU. I used to try loads of things and buy lots as well, but I buy far less now as I can't try things on. They are definitely losing sales because of it. We have five in our town and two don't have changing rooms (BHF and Sue Ryder) so I buy from the others, or sometimes I buy in the one without them yet it on in one of the others and take it back if I don't like it.

Helpful, thanks .....

Our local ones have gotten rid of their changing rooms too. They say you can take things back but i just sell on vinted if it doesn't fit/suit me

People are really dirty in changing rooms. My friend works in primark and discarded tampons and nappies aren't unusual. Then there's the odd wee and dirty pants.
Don't blame shops for having had enough.

Who's looking for 'help'? You?

I had a fun time yesterday, buying items from Sainsbury's clothing store, going to other clothing shops with fitting rooms and trying them on, returning with said items for a refund and doing it one more time. A lot of hassle and it was only because I really liked the items (which were for an event) that I persevered and had made the time to do it."

So sad that once again we are adversely affected by others' thieving or disgusting habits

Previous posters all goce legitimate reasons why there's no longer changing rooms, but that doesn't make it any less annoying! I agree with you op, so frustrating.

But what they lose in sales will likely be less than that they lost through theft and time/cleaning etc.