I want to answer with YANBU and YABU simply because I have experienced and witnessed both aspects.
My most recent stint with a local charity caused me untoward stress and frustration, as there were a few 'dealers' who 'worked' as volunteers, but refused to do anything helpful other than rummage through all new donations, and siphon off the valuable items. There were a few of them(work in packs), and they'd take items for one another and hide them away until their 'colleague ' came in (think in terms of Jane has all the scrap gold-we let her take it all and it's in trust as she kindly gives us a lump sum now and then, Bert has all the vintage silver- Bert goes to auction houses but gives us the odd £20, Lesley has all the designer bags- she doesn't need to work as she makes so much money from reselling..).
The manager was useless and protective over these volunteers (towing the line), and would say "oh, just put a pound in for each item" within earshot of those that were grafting. Annoyingly, I'd always insist on paying the eBay equivalent rate and did everything by the book, but there was rarely anything of excitement to buy as the vultures would descend, and I only needed the odd item. Some even had keys to the premises and would go out of hours, others would just turn up and run ages whilst the rest of us were working and doing the actual slog.
The manager is a strange character and prone to gossip and vindictiveness, and refuses to follow process and protocols, such as correct induction and checks/training. She was/is a bully to those who were gentle and vulnerable and difficult to work with too, so I will never truly understand the dynamics there but it is rotten and continues to this day. I made the mistake of over sharing that I had autistic traits and ADHD (I kick myself now), despite being Hugh functioning and a professional in my own right, and that was it. Assumptions were made and attitudes were shifted. It's as though vulnerabilities were seen as weaknesses, and I was treated like crap by this manager and her cronies. That said, there were some amazing souls there, who have a similar story to mine, so I try not to take it too personally.
I raised a grievance and took my concern to higher levels but was essentially blackballed for being a whistleblower. The last I heard (from a senior team member who is very connected) was that one of the senior staff has a nice new Range Rover on expenses and lives in a property on the estate, enjoying the fruits of the labours of the genuine staff and donations. She has taken it to the charity commission, as she has some legal clout and will not suffer fools, or crooks. I'm praying that something will come from this initial process of investigation.
Then again, I gaslight myself sometimes as It has been so ingrained to not believe what I see and hear there, and for it to be minimised and invalidated that I just don't know what is real and what isn't! The thieving and fraud is certainly very real, though, and most in the business seems to know of this charity and it's reputation.
It makes me weep and feel useless, but I've gone as far as I can speaking out - I have a disabled husband and son, and my husband has lost his job due to ill health yet employers are making it impossible for him to access early pension (court case may be brewing ) and life is in tatters in many ways for me, so I had to give up on this battle as I had a nervous breakdown in the summer dealing with personal traumas that are rooted in childhood.
Everyone who has worked there with the right attitude hasn't lasted. Those that are gentle keep quiet, doing the right thing and playing along for a quiet life, yet will rant when away from the shop.
Everyone locally in the charity shop realm knows what goes on there and moans, YET the trustees and management seemingly blackball any complaints. It goes right to the top and it will all come out eventually, but for now, I did all I could to raise concerns via the right avenue and was met with "where's your evidence?". When it is a big club and they close ranks, how on earth does the truth come out? Truth tellers are often scapegoated, sadly.
That said, to balance the books, this is only one charity which I know of that is shockingly bad (although very well known and loved locally but the customers/donators).
I have worked at a wonderful charity shop where everything was fair and just, processes were followed, and respect was given to the generous donations of the public, and items would be researched and placed out at a fair price, or popped onto eBay. Only after a designated amount of time would the item then be withdrawn and offered to staff at 50% discount. Staff were treated with respect and kindness, regardless of their disabilities or how they presented. Everyone was given a chance to feel included and important. This was the polar opposite of the other organisation.
There will always be rotten and mistrustful people who will take advantage of such places, especially when it is run on trust and not to any professional standards (not that this always helps, as I learned in the NHS). So sad, as the decent and authentic souls who want to do the right thing are often pushed out or defeated when they realise the reality of what goes on. Still, they battle on and speak out and thank goodness for the tenacious ones that will dare to fight to the bitter end for justice.
Wishing you all peace 🕊️.