to think that charity shop workers should not take all the best stuff for themselves?

[gramercy]

I admired dd's friend's coat. Her mother duly informed me it was a Boden coat which her mother had got from the charity shop in which she volunteers. "I gave mum a list of the brands to look out for - so she can pick them out when stuff comes in. I've got loads of good things."

I know this goes on, but I really don't think it's on. Even if the volunteer pays a nominal price, it means the shop is deprived of stock, and if the shop only stocks horrible old tat then people won't bother to go in. You can't imagine a boutique, say, allowing its staff to buy all the prime stuff first so there's nothing left to attract customers.

isitme, our shops have a smattering of miniboden stuff. have bought several items for dd's there.

I used to volunteer in a charity shop ( I was in my mid 20s, so not quite a 'grabbinggranny'), and some of the stuff people bought in was unbelievable, unwashed towels, smelly socks and toys covered in bits of unidentifiable goo.

Sometimes I'd buy something before it went out on the shop floor, but I certainly didn't cream off all the good stuff, and would only ever buy it when the lady who decided the prices had put a label on.

I think that a lot of the quality has gone down in charity shops, because of the proliferation of cheaper clothes from Primark, George, Tescos etc.

I doubt the practice is widespread as many of the people who give up their time and energy to volunteer do so because they feel strongly about the cause the charity shop supports and they are well aware that good stuff also draws customers in and brings them back, plus they are delighted to see good takings in the till as they are more aware than most of the value of their profits and what they can do for the beneficiaries of the particular charity.

Great article in the guardian once about the strangest theings volunteers had had to sort through- ashes in an urn was a memorable one

My mum used to collect for one and just stole stuff

I have heard that this happens alot.

We once had a rubbish bag that was accidently put in with the donations (this was in Canada and everyone put their donation in a binliner) - we had rubbish lots, but on this occasion fish was in the bag. It was put into the GIANT pile that was in the ware house (we would rotate where we would pick from). It was there for months by the time we got to it and it was the most disgusting thing I have ever smelled. It contaminated loads around it.

The saddest things were when (I think) people had died, and the contents of their wardrobes would just be given to us.

The lady in the Cancer Research shop near here told me recently that they had just received a vibrator (not new) and half a dozen very rude VHSs.

I've posted in response to OP's like this before, as a charity shop volunteer.

Gramercy We are a middling size (10+) chain of charity shops. Volunteers and staff get a 20% discount on prices. However, we are not allowed to buy something until it has been priced up (by someone other than ourselves) and put out for sale. This is very standard in charity shops - if some are doing it differently then they shouldn't be, as this leaves them open for staff really taking the mickey.

The charity we volunteer for works with street children abroad. We have had the amazing opportunity of fundraising to go to visit the projects. This has been so inspirational for all of us, and we want to raise the most we can to get children out of poverty. That's why I volunteer - not to get the best stuff. But I do buy sometimes.

I help at my local NCT sale and really appreciate being able to browse before the sale opens to the general public. I still pay full price of course - but getting 'first dibs' is the payback for having given up my whole day to help out. Same thing for charity shop workers surely?

Couldn't care less that volunteers get first dibs if they are paying for the stuff.

Our local Fara Kids is posh, this baby is going to be entirely kitted out in Ralph Lauren and Boden and Gap stuff for about a 1/4 of the price it cost me to dress my DS1 from Target.

Is fantastic.

In a similar way not every donation to the school, scouts, or church fetes actually make it onto the stalls. I've seen teachers sort through donated toys and books."

Notagranny, we do this at our school, but the resources go into school book corners, wet play, curriculum resources and the like. If we want stuff for our own families, we join the horde.

Getting first dibs on second hand clothes seems like a fair reward for volunteering to do a job that not many people would do for nothing.

I've got the opposite at a charity shop near me.
There's a member of staff who keeps bringing her own DD's monsoon dresses etc (usually just the right size for my DD too )

gramercy, that story's going to stick in my mind.

Morloth - which Fara kids is that - we only have the occasional Gap and Next things in my local one, and I am hoping to find a cheaper way to satisfy my mini Boden habit...

If volunteers are paying the right price then what's the problem ? Why should people who are giving their services free of charge be second in line behing the grasping shoppers out for a bargain.

Fulham Rd.

Picked up a brand new (well looked brand new) Ralph Lauren snowsuit for 8 pounds! Keeping an eye out in case a bugaboo turns up - they had one just before I got pregnant for 50 quid.

All their stuff is clean and lovely smelling as well.

I stalk the charity shop - can't help it. Have always loved second hand clothes shops, was great as a teenage goth type!

Thanks Morloth - I gave some Ralph Lauren (which I bought from ebay) to our local one on Garratt Lane, as DS's head was too big to get through the hole. I think I deserve at least a chance at some mini boden in exchange. May have to go off to Fulham Rd tomorrow!

I used to volunteer in a charity shop (back when I had time!) and we always paid full price for anything that we wanted. It would have been priced by the manager or his trusted head volunteer as well, so no sneaky back scratching going on. The shop was there to make money for the charity, there was no way that they would give it away for free!

We were a lovely mix of studenty types and middle class, middle aged women, a couple of whom thought that they should take me under their wing. I had a blast. We were given training in the work that the charity did too, which was a real eye-opener.

Just don't buy any boy's clothes in the 0-3 month range please IsItMeOr, wouldn't want to regret letting my little secret out .

Don't worry, we're on the 9-12ers now!

I don't like it. I'm actually beginning to NOT hand things in to charity shops now because of this and because on the last few occasions I've handed stuff in I've not had a word of thanks, just a "put it over there" and a "I don't know where I'm going to put it all".

I know not every shop is like that btw, but I think that the more good stuff that goes out onto the shop floor the more customers will use the shops. If all the good stuff goes to the workers and their families and friends before it hits the floors then it's the less sought after stuff that goes out for sale, less customers are attracted to the shops, they spread the word that the charity shop is rubbish and the customer base decreases.

Perhaps those that don't like it should get off their a*ses and volunteer themselves

hanaflower - my 15 year old wedding dress made it into the window of the local charity shop, I was very excited! Saddly no one bought it but my kids were very impressed to see it.

I can't 'get off my arse' and volunteer in a charity because I work p/t and the rest of the time have no childcare for my 2 year old.

However, I have got off my arse in other ways, and volunteer in the community as a Community Councillor (for the last 10 years now), and help out at the various after school things my children go to. DH has also just finished his stint as volunteer treasurer with the after school club that the kids went to.

Before making sweeping accusations about people not getting off their arses and volunteering in a charity shop, it might be an idea to think about why they can't, and perhaps appreciate that they may not be able to volunteer during the day but may volunteer in other ways?