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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be bloody annoyed by the 'helpers' at the NCT sale.

154 replies

littleoldme · 18/10/2008 20:18

There must have been about 20 odd helpers there. It opened at 10 I queued from about 9.30 as I'd been advised to get in early and get the good stuff. Then I find out that the people helping get first pick before it opens and all the decent clothes - what I went for - had gone before it even started. I did find one nice thing and the woman at the pay desk said " Oooo that's nice, I wonder how I missed it " . No more NCT for me.Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

OP posts:

CarGirl · 18/10/2008 20:40

Actually the only point of the NNS is to raise funds to train the antenatal teachers, BF counsellors etc. You are expected to raise all the money to pay for the training of the trainees that you take on IYSWIM

funnypeculiar · 18/10/2008 20:41

littleoldme, what would your alternative suggestion be - how would you incentivise people to turn up for hours & help out to make the sales happen?

And certainly don't wait to be asked to help ... on our posters it always says volunteers wanted ... but even if it doesn't say that, you WILL be welcomed ... even if you can only help out for a few hours.

I DO agree that the helper at your sale shouldn't have had her stuff at the till/talk about having missed stuff (although maybe it was just meant to be a compliment at your excellent choice ??)

boogiewoogie · 18/10/2008 20:42

Also, IME when I've helped out at sales, I was that busy that I didn't have a chance to go out and shop. So before the sale would be the only time that we could make purchases.

misshardbroom · 18/10/2008 20:42

at ours (and I speak as one who was on the committee and helped run numerous sales before flouncing off in a big huff about the all round cliquiness and sanctimony of our particular branch.......)

....anyway, was saying, at ours the helpers also get first crack at the goods. But even within the helpers, the savvy mums offer to work on 'putting the stuff out on the tables', which is code for 'hide the really decent stuff from each other, making sure than only you know that the £1.50 spotless Brio is hidden under 2076865 crappy peg puzzles'.

Mean, selfish and conniving, most definitely - but if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Original poster

littleoldme · 18/10/2008 20:44

Funny - isn't the point of volunteering that you give your time freely. Surley if you get paid, albeit in getting first pick of stuff, then you aren't really giving up your Sat am for free are you ????

OP posts:

littlelamb · 18/10/2008 20:44

I have heled out at two now and after the last one we were asked to give our feedback to the organiser. One of the points I actually made was that volunteers should maybe be limited to the number of items they are allowed to buy before the sale opens. I understand there has to be some incentive to do it, but all of the good stuff had gone before the doors even opened, and considering people have to pay a quid to get in, lots of people were saying they were disappointed there was nothing good left. It's all very well to say anyone can volunteer, but for me that involved a babysitter for ds and lugging dd along with me (though she enjoyed it immensely and has been promised her own helpers t shirt next time )

ScottishMummy · 18/10/2008 20:45

as a student i worked in retail.we had 1st dibs on all sale stuff (with staff discount)

nice wee perk actually.no qualms about it.we grafted hard working late to get sale stuff labelled, on rails etc.so yes nice to get 1st dibs

littlelamb · 18/10/2008 20:45

Ooo misshardbroom I think you must have been at our sale (we had a ruckus over some brio)

funnypeculiar · 18/10/2008 20:48

Humm, fair point. BUT how many people would give up 7 hours to help out the NCT for sheer love of the NCT, & a desire to make other parents lives better?

Trust me, bribery IS needed.

And, tbh, from the NCT pov, if the key thing is fundraising, it doesn't matter whose money they get, helpers or 'normal people'

ScottishMummy · 18/10/2008 20:50

fair enough.unpaid time=1st dibs

boogiewoogie · 18/10/2008 20:51

It should all be good stuff anyway! I get more annoyed about the lack stuff that really shouldn't be at a Nearly New Sale.

Original poster

littleoldme · 18/10/2008 20:52

Make other parent's live better. Purlease. Do forgive me if I'm little sceptical. Your motives maybe honourable an altrusistic but that certainly doesn't go for everyone

OP posts:

CarGirl · 18/10/2008 20:53

I still help out now my dc are getting older and I buy very little so I give my time with far less getting something out of it. Although I do sell stuff so I feel helping out is the least I can do.

LackaDAISYcal · 18/10/2008 20:54

some nct branches are now doing table top sales where you pay for and man your own stall. would this not be a better solution?

although I'm a member of the NCT, I'd never sell my stuff at a sale, as charity or not, I really grudge the third commision that they take.

I would prefer the table top sale type scenarios where you pay a set amount for your spot and no volunteers picking over the good stuff.

funnypeculiar · 18/10/2008 20:54

That was my point, little old me!! There is NO WAY we would get 30/40 helpers at our sale who just wanted to make other people's lives better. And without those helpers our sale wouldn't happen (it's a big sale)
If you are expecting helpers to help without 'first dibs' you are expecting them to do it just for other people
Which I utterly agree, is unrealistic.

Bloodystumperlicious · 18/10/2008 20:55

'Also technically they shouldn't have a members queue that gets in before non-members but there you go.' is that really true?

I help out, I'm not a member. I was never asked, I just found out from the website and emailed the organiser. It's a great idea in my opinion, fair reward for helping out, I am just as needy as the people queuing up. At our sales helpers aren't allowed to shop till the end of the night before or just before the doors open.

cupchar · 18/10/2008 20:56

Good idea Lackdaisy - I avoid the nct sales as I prefer to swap clothes with fellow mums or go to a charity shop

CarGirl · 18/10/2008 21:02

I think it is the law that being a member of a charity should not give you any benefit over non-members what so ever, otherwise by default it isn't a charity???

Original poster

littleoldme · 18/10/2008 21:05

I think I'm going to the Merlin I sky Plussed earlier. Oh and check my watched items on e bay...

OP posts:

onepieceoflollipop · 18/10/2008 21:05

CarGirl afaik this is exactly why anyone can volunteer to help, members or not. In fact virtually everything the NCT does/offers is open to everyone because it is a charity.

Original poster

littleoldme · 18/10/2008 21:08

Unless of course you want to bottle feed or have an elective section.

OP posts:

CarGirl · 18/10/2008 21:09

I think it's sad because the people/branches I've helped out aren't cliquey and certainly not alpha females with loads of money or bf hard core etc etc They're a huge cross section of society but perhaps that's because I live in a wealthy area. All the alpha mums are out spending their money etc etc etc!

onepieceoflollipop · 18/10/2008 21:11

littleoldme it sounds as if you have had a crap experience with your local branch. From reading CarGirl's posts it sounds as if she and I have had more positive experiences.

I am not surprised you feel tbh.

biscuitsmustbedunkedintea · 18/10/2008 21:14

Just want to throw my tuppence in;

Replace the words "NCT" in the OP, with "Jumble sale". Would the replies to this post be any different? Surely if you run a jumble sale for Scouts/Church/PTA, helpers tend to nab all the good stuff 1st?

Original poster

littleoldme · 18/10/2008 21:15

TBH I was annoyed at the sale but it hasn't ruined my life. I found my NCT antenatal classes unhelpful - but I won't go there now and i've met some lovely people at my postnatal group. So all in all it's been a mix.

Ho hum

OP posts:

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