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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

304 replies

gramercy · 15/01/2010 12:18

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.

OP posts:
shockers · 17/01/2010 12:56

I used to manage a charity shop where we had 56 elderly women volunteers. There was only ever one who tried it on regarding the purchase of donated stock.
We had a rule that if there was anything that had taken your fancy, you were to put it on the manager's rail for her (me) to price and record it in a staff book. I wouldn't know who had put what on the rail without checking the book so there was no chance of favouritism. This system worked well for us.
If I wanted anything, I would wait until it had been priced and put out and would always pay a bit more because I was being paid.
The ladies were absolutely selfless, giving time at home as well. One lady used to collect all the linen, wash, starch and iron it at home and we would have linen 'specials' which we advertised in the window and were really successful.
Charity shops simply wouldn't survive without volunteers and in my (albeit limited experience) they were the last ones who would consider ripping the charity off.
I do accept that I had a wonderful team of volunteers though

IsItMeOr · 17/01/2010 14:33

Paolosgirl - I know it's nice to get a thank you, but shouldn't the giving to charity be enough in itself?

I think it's a shame that you're feeling so negatively about charity shops, when they seem to fulfil a number of valuable roles.

JaneS · 17/01/2010 15:30

Some charity shops actually make a point of looking out for things if you ask them. At my local one, you can say, 'I'm looking for a prom dress/size whatever shirt/anything by Whistles' and they will give you a ring when it comes in. It's one of the things they pride themselves on and I think it's a good idea. What's the problem?

LadyBiscuit · 17/01/2010 15:41

If they're paying the same price as everyone else, then I don't see the problem. And the lady you mentioned in your last post buried under mounds of clothes clearly has a mental illness. How weird to be jealous of that

Paolosgirl · 17/01/2010 15:44

Surely it's basic manners to say "thank you" when people hand stuff in - the same stuff upon which your shops depend for their livelihood? If the person behind the counter can't even be bothered to say "thanks" but can bring themselves to tell you when to put the bags, or complain about how they are going to find room for the stuff, then it doesn't give a good impression of charity shops, does it?

I'm a HUGE fan of charity shops, always have been, but they've got to do a whole lot more to attract business and donations nowadays, esp. with the financial climate the way it is and more people facing the choice between donating their stuff to charity or sticking it on ebay. I don't now donate to the charity shop which complained about where they were going to put the stuff that I handed in (all good quality clothes) and now take it to another shop with pleasant assistants who say "thank you" and show that they value my custom and donations.

piscesmoon · 17/01/2010 15:45

If they pay the going price I don't see anything wrong with it. They are giving their time freely so I don't see why they shouldn't be ahead of someone who waltzes in off the street and doesn't give up their free time.

IsItMeOr · 17/01/2010 17:50

I think that's fair enough Paolosgirl, I'd probably do the same in your shows. I think this thread has touched a nerve for a few of us!

piscesmoon · 17/01/2010 17:53

There was one a while ago saying that helpers at NCT second hand sales shouldn't get first pick. They give up hours of free time to help and then they are expected to stand there while those who do nothing get first choice! Charity shops would lose a lot of helpers if they can't apy like any other customer-especially when it is all good will.

piscesmoon · 17/01/2010 17:54

sorry pay

Paolosgirl · 17/01/2010 18:40

It is a tricky one - on one hand it does seem right that people who give up their time should get first dibs. On the other hand, as I posted earlier, if all the good stuff gets taken by the assistants for themselves, family and friends (and hopefully it's not then sold on for a profit) then it does mean that there is less good stuff on the shopfloor, and the shop ends up being seen as little more than a junk shop.

I don't know - there must be a compromise somewhere. I'm trying to think of an anaology. Supposing the volunteers at a lunch club picked out the best bits of meat and nicest veg for themselves to eat later - it wouldn't really seem right, would it?

LadyBiscuit · 17/01/2010 18:46

Paolosgirl - without the opportunity to have first dibs on the stuff that comes in, many charity shops may struggle to get volunteers more than they already do, meaning they'd have to shut altogether. So that's rather cutting off your nose to spite your face.

Paolosgirl · 17/01/2010 18:54

Yes, but taking the good stuff and leaving the not so great stuff can put people off going in in the first place or buying anything when they're in there - which again may mean the shops have to close.

As I said, I'm sure there must be a compromise.

piscesmoon · 17/01/2010 18:57

There is plenty left! You can still find good things in charity shops. If I helped, which I don't, I doubt whether I would have more than one item a week -if that. I certainly wouldn't have helped at an NCT sale if I had to let all those who didn't help have first choice!

Paolosgirl · 17/01/2010 19:00

Well maybe that's the compromise - one item a week each? Seems reasonable to me...

Zoomy · 17/01/2010 19:05

I volunteer in a charity shop.

We aren't allowed to buy anything that hasn't been on the shop floor for at least 24 hrs.... this is checked when we purchase the items by the date code on the label.

If it hasn't been on the shop floor for 24 hrs we aren't allowed to buy it, it has to go back on the shelf/rail.

We don't pay full price though we get a 20% discount.

To me this seems fair the regular customer gets first 'dibs' if no-one buys it we are then able to buy it at a discount.

Paolosgirl · 17/01/2010 19:13

That seems like a very fair system Zoomy...

piscesmoon · 17/01/2010 19:39

I thought every shop would have had a system-I doubt whether they can take masses of stock. I had a friend who worked in one and she certainly had rules. If there were no rules there would be nothing to stop them taking all the good stuff and selling it on ebay for personal profit! I don't think that anyone would deny them the perk of an odd first choice.

Zoomy · 17/01/2010 19:55

It seems to work Ok Paolosgirl ...although I have been known to be at the shop at 9am on my day off crossing my fingers hoping the stock I put out the day before is still there for me to buy!

I think most places have rules piscesmoon. It also seems the bigger the organisation the more stringent the rules, due to them being more 'business' orientated perhaps. Tbh it seems to me that workers having first 'dibs' is usually the exception rather than the norm'.

Paolosgirl · 17/01/2010 20:30

I don't blame you Zoomy!

It's good to know that a rule re first dibs is the norm

EastEndLass · 26/01/2010 15:29

I worked for a large charity chain for many years, and all shop teams were able to have 'first dibs' but only after the manager had already priced the items up, and always at full price (I know some chains give discounts)

To be honest, most of the volunteers were over 60, and tended to pick stuff out that probably wouldn't have sold anyway, LOL

Belles777 · 20/03/2010 21:06

I don't volunteer in any charity shops but I do shop there over half my wardrobe is charity finds.

I don't live in a trendy area but I've bought some great brands from my local shop & no it's not staffed by a bunch of old grannies. All ages work there from teenagers to the over sixties, there are even three male volunteers.

Today I picked up a fab Jasper Conran top - that was in Debenhams at xmas, a Monsoon dressing gown with sequen details and a really cute primark tulip skirt (with tag on) and a habit letter holder.

This was mid afternoon, shop was busy and there was 4 staff working so If they had picked over all the good stuff I must be doing well LOL !

Belles777 · 20/03/2010 21:30

Gramercy I'm sorry for being unkind but get over yourself, you sound a little but jealous.

I only started looking in charity shops 2 years ago.

I used to work in the City myself and donated lots of what were expensive things to the charity shop including many lunchtime impulse buys complete with tags on. I once thought that the back room ladies were taking "my good stuff" for themselves as my husband donated my dry cleaning . .a suit and my favourite french connection wrap dress (was 2005) to this shop, I rushed in the next day and it was nowhere to be seen - spoke to the lady beside the till she said she hadn't seen it . . But 3 weeks later my dress appeared as part of window display (it can take them a while to sort through stuff) I explained the situation to the manager and she mentioned that it was probably just yet to be sorted when I popped in earlier, But happy endings I got to buy it back for 6 euro - I was delighted to say the least !

Now because I'm NOW a regular shopper there I realise the stock turnover is fairly swift and the good stuff does not hang around for long and perhaps that's what happened to your HUSBANDS SHIRTS or perhaps they weren't sorted yet.

My advice is, go in have a look around and get yourself a bargain and don't begruge the Boden coat perk - Lifes Too Short and you make come out with an Armani junior instead !

justallovertheplace · 20/03/2010 21:34

Why resurrect a 2 month old thread to tell someone to get over themselves??

bibiane · 16/11/2010 12:13

I have recently started volunteering at a local charity shop.

The only items I have bought from them I have been charged the full price.

However I was a bit suprised to be invited to their Xmas dinner and then expected to pay the £20+ per head myself.

Surely this was the one opportunity in the year to reward volunteers for the work that they do. I volunteer because Iam unemployed at the moment and I have some spare time to help out in a charity which I regard as worth while. Without people giving their time for free these charities could not exist.

Is this scrooge-like mentality common in the voluntary sector?

Frazzledmumwithsmudgedmascara · 16/11/2010 12:33

I think it's a fair and reasonable perk for the shop volunteers to have. I have found loads of charity shop bargains so they clearly can't be taking all the good stuff in the shops in my area.

I do agree with those of you that have said that some charity shops are unappreciative of donations. I have stopped donating to charity shops now as there's always a huffiness and "What am I expected to do with yet more donations" attitude when I've taken things in. I was browsing in a shop the other day and the staff were out in the back room moaning that they'd got too much stock.