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Original poster

What is the etiquette/procedure around dropping stuff to charity shops?

34 replies

MsFogi · 15/05/2023 16:03

I've got loads of boxes of (very decent, saleable) stuff to donate but I have no idea how this works - do I just go into a random charity shop and drop a box by the till or do I need to wait to get it checked/talk to someone or something else? Can someone tell me how it works?
And I have loads of boxes (been meaning to drop off for ages but haven't got round to it) would I be better off dropping to a couple of shops or dropping to lots of different shops?
All insight gratefully received!

OP posts:
Pootles34 · 15/05/2023 16:05

Honestly, it depends on the shop. Some near us are full, some won't take kids' stuff, some will welcome you with open arms. I'd pop into one nearest you, with just a bag, as a recce - have a chat with one of the ladies, see what they say? Or just ring them?

RitaCrudgington · 15/05/2023 16:11

Pick your preferred charity. Take in one box, attract the attention of someone at the till and say "I've got a box of donations" - they'll either take it or point you to the mysterious door to the back room.

If they seemed pleased rather than overwhelmed with yet another box to sort and find space then say "I've got quite a lot more, would you like that as well?" . If they seem less than keen then take your next box somewhere else. If they're keen just bring it all to them.

Also have a look in all the windows. See which ones have signs up saying "we really need donations of XYZ" and which might be saying "sorry we can't take any donations for the time being".

RavenclawDiadem · 16/05/2023 09:01

Agree with this. I am a volunteer in a charity shop and have multiple conversations like this with people every shift. Couple of points -

check their policy on things like electricals which plug into the mains, if you have any of those to donate. By law, they have to be PAT tested before selling, even in a charity shop and not all can do that. We can't, so can't accept electricals.

Gift Aid - be prepared for someone to ask you to sign up, or ask if you are already. We do this because we get 25% on top of selling price from the government in tax relief - so if we sell your stuff for £50, we actually get £62.50. It costs you nothing to sign up, most charities just need your name, address, postcode and for you to confirm you're a UK taxpayer. If you're not, you can give the name of someone who lives in the same house who is. It doesn't mean you'll be bombarded with email or phone calls. You do usually get an annual/quarterly email telling you the amount your donations have raised. And you're perfectly within your rights to say no thank you!

PuttingDownRoots · 16/05/2023 09:06

Scope out the procedure first. At our local one you need to go to the back door with donations, not the shop.

When we moved abroad, DH went with a list of stuff we had to the shop with the best parking, they told him what they could take and someone helped him unload the car. They gave him a cup of tea as well.

Edwardandtubbs · 16/05/2023 09:09

Do you have a favourite charity? I find the independent ones (usually hospice or animal ones) are more grateful for donations. It can depend on the staff on the day - I've been refused by one volunteer on one day and then it was all taken in the next day by a different volunteer (who said he should have taken it). I usually go in, say I have a lot of bags/boxes, summarise what most of it is and then they can decide.

Generally - they will always want babies and kids clothes and shoes and good quality men's clothes and shoes.

We have a Homeless charity near us that doesn't advertise that they need donations but they bit DH's hand off when he went in with coats, shoes and jumpers earlier this year (we were parked up next to it, and on our way to the charity shop but went in there on spec.) That could be another option.

Unbridezilla · 16/05/2023 09:14

It does depend, annoyingly

Around here, they begrudgingly accept certain items on certain days, eg womens clothes on a Tuesday and paperbacks on a Friday, homewares on a Monday. If you can't get there then, tough. It started with one shop and the infection has spread around the town, despite signs in the window saying they "urgently need x/y/z".

Whereas, my mum's village happily accepts everything whenever, so I usually send my charity stuff back with her when she is visiting

RavenclawDiadem · 16/05/2023 09:15

Generally - they will always want babies and kids clothes and shoes and good quality men's clothes and shoes.

I'd have to disagree with that based on what sells the best in the store where I work. Kids clothes BNWT yes, sell well. And things like winter jackets. But toddler clothes and baby gros, not so much. We can't shift men's trousers/work style shirts at all, and definitely not ties and suits.

What sells really well (in our shop at least) - good quality womenswear with "classic" appeal, handbags, bric-a-brac especially anything 70s/80s vintage, pictures, jewellery, books.

RavenclawDiadem · 16/05/2023 09:16

We're all struggling so much for volunteers to sort/price post-pandemic @Unbridezilla. Just not enough bodies to deal with everything.

badgermushrooms · 16/05/2023 09:19

DH works in a charity shop. If you've got loads, phone up beforehand - a lot of shops have limited space out the back so have to time big things carefully. They are very grateful for big donations but they have to be able to reach the toilet/kettle/fire exits!

If you're a UK taxpayer please consider signing up for Gift Aid. It costs you nothing except a minute to fill in the form, and allows the charity to claim an extra 20% off HMRC for everything of yours they sell. If it goes over a significant amount they will write/email to let you know how much you've made them at the end of the tax year, which is very nice to receive months after the fact when you've forgotten all about it.

Remember most of the people there will be volunteers and some of them will be new to customer facing work, or work in general, or neurodiverse in some way, so if the customer service is a little off please don't take it personally. I'm sure you won't anyway but I have seen posts on here from people who will nEVeR sUpPoRT CharITYs again because a shop volunteer once wouldn't make eye contact with them so thought I'd put it out there.

Devilledchicken · 16/05/2023 09:20

Another option is a womens refuge if there is a one in your area. If you have any womens clothing or household items, and any toiletries/gift sets

Give them a call and ask.

MissCherryCakeyBun · 16/05/2023 09:43

Phone and ask in advance. Simple easy and effective

LadyLapsang · 16/05/2023 18:14

I would expect them to ask you about gift aid. My charity shop sends letters updating me on how much they have made from the donations. I usually flag anything new or from an expensive brand and give them an idea of price, e.g. new silk dress from Toast, new leather belt from Mulberry. I want the charity to get a good price.

ceecee32 · 16/05/2023 18:44

Don't know what area you are in but leukemia research will collect from you if you have more than 5 bags

https://lmruk.org/donate-clothes/

Donate Clothes - Leukaemia & Myeloma Research UK

https://lmruk.org/donate-clothes

Sammysquiz · 18/05/2023 06:48

Anglo Doorstep Collections also collect (can book via their website), and have no minimum amount.

sandgrown · 18/05/2023 06:53

I our area the local hospice has a drive through warehouse which makes dropping of things very easy . The Heart Foundation will collect furniture.

DustyLee123 · 18/05/2023 06:56

Ours frequently has a sign outside saying ‘no donations today’, so now I put clothes and shoes into the donation bin at the supermarket instead. And I tend to Free Cycle other stuff.

Lovestodrinkmilk · 18/05/2023 07:27

Phone or email first (just to save yourself effort). When I have boxes and boxes I ask if they will come and collect; many do.

RapidlyApproachingEndOfMyTether · 18/05/2023 07:27

If it is only clothing, I prefer to donate in the salvation army clothing donation bins - much easier than in a shop. Pull the car up, any time of day/night and just pop it all in. Much more convenient. You can see where your nearest one is.

https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/clothing-bank

Clothing banks

Clear out your wardrobe, protect the environment, and help us change lives all over the UK.

https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk/clothing-bank

chipsandpeas · 18/05/2023 07:31

i usually do the donation bags at the local recycling centre, salvation army is there as well as some local charitys

Campervangirl · 18/05/2023 08:08

I regularly drop stuff off at the cats protection league shop, I usually ring first then arrange to drop off at the back door, luckily they have access to a carpark.

strawberryFforever · 18/05/2023 13:48

I think you wait until a bank holiday weekend then drop it on the pavement on Saturday afternoon shortly after they close

KIDDING!!!!

RavenclawDiadem · 18/05/2023 15:00

strawberryFforever · 18/05/2023 13:48

I think you wait until a bank holiday weekend then drop it on the pavement on Saturday afternoon shortly after they close

KIDDING!!!!

Either that or stack it up in boxes at the back fire door, so it can't be opened from the inside.

FeltCarrot · 18/05/2023 15:04

How does the Gift Aid work on donations? Do they immediately take your bag of stuff and write GA on it? How do they know which donations are from a taxpayer or not??

haggisaggis · 18/05/2023 15:05

Also, if you have clothes in poor condition - not good enough to sell - they may take them anyway as they can get cash for rags. Our local Cats Protection shop does this (and are always polite and say thanks, and we also get a letter each year thanking us for donations and letting us know what they made through Gift Aid).

Fandabedodgy · 18/05/2023 15:10

If your aim in donating is to help out the charity then the best way to do that is donate clean clothing directly to the shop.

Be aware that clothes donated via your doorstep in collection bags or via local recycling centres cost charities money as these have to be purchased from the companies running these services. If you are donating to get rid of stuff then this may not be an issue for you.