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Original poster

Standard of Charity shop clothing

81 replies

FANTINE2 · 28/12/2023 20:29

I like to shop in charity shops, and over the years I’ve found some great stuff.
In the past week, however, I have had to return 3 items due to them having holes in them.
First a Whistles top . I discovered at least two holes as I was putting it in the bag. The assistant refunded me immediately.
Secondly a Hobbs jumper, wool with some cashmere. Really happy with it until I got it home and discovered two holes.
Finally today a Sweatty Betty sweatshirt with quite a high price tag. Again, got it home to find a hole!
Altogether I spent approximately £25 on these items. I know I will be refunded, but this seems to be happening more snd more in charity shops. It’s like as if they see an ok label and slap a high price on without checking to see the quality of the garment.
Do they really think that people are going to pay £10 for a jumper with holes in it? It’s really frustrating. I understand that they are trying to make money for the charity, but I think they are beginning to take people for mugs.

Has anyone else had a similar experience?

OP posts:
Zone2NorthLondon · 28/12/2023 22:44

Often the staff are volunteers, and are busy with multiple tasks
You aren’t compelled to pay the prices if you feel they’re inflated it’s a judgment if you think it’s a fair price or not.£25 does seem high for three high street items

tillyandmilly · 28/12/2023 22:49

Yes found the same - had to take lots back all with holes in them mostly knitwear!

crimsonlake · 28/12/2023 22:51

It may sound obvious but don't you check over the garment yourself before buying it in the shop?

Gardeningtime · 28/12/2023 22:54

I think it’s a bit much to complain the busy volunteers don’t check properly when you bought them and you didn’t. It is a charity, not primark, and often these shops are staffed by volunteers.

Original poster
FANTINE2 · 29/12/2023 00:23

Yes, I understand what people are saying about how hard the volunteers are working, but there is often a manager present who actually gets paid, so I would expect the items to be checked.
Also,bit of a weak excuse I know , but sometimes it is difficult to actually check items thoroughly as the light in the shop is do bad.

OP posts:
Original poster
FANTINE2 · 29/12/2023 00:28

Zone2NorthLondon · 28/12/2023 22:44

Often the staff are volunteers, and are busy with multiple tasks
You aren’t compelled to pay the prices if you feel they’re inflated it’s a judgment if you think it’s a fair price or not.£25 does seem high for three high street items

Exactly! £25 for 3!high street items I would have been happy to buy and keep if they hadn’t been faulty.
It is easy to say money for the charity etc, but how about the money wasted for the customer?
How many people don’t return stuff??

OP posts:
ElfieMcElfFace · 29/12/2023 01:08

I don't return substandard stuff to charity shops, but it does annoy me when it happens - mostly from a quality v price point of view. £10 for a second hand jumper, I'd expect to need to shave off a bit of pilling but not sew up holes. If I pick up something for £3 and have to get a needle and thread out I don't mind so much.

Floisme · 29/12/2023 08:07

I think your main complaint should be with donors who fob off substandard clothes on charity shops because they can't be bothered sorting them out or disposing of them.

YYURYYUCICYYUR4ME · 29/12/2023 08:53

I have (and am about to give) some very good quality clothing to a charity shop, yet rarely do I see any of this out and wonder where it goes, other than being picked up quickly to go onto Vinted perhaps! Thinking maybe to sell the items myself and donate back to the charity, which might get them more funds. I have also bought knitwear, good brand, from Vinted, where there was a tiny hole and darned it, making it invisible and now a lovely item to wear. Wondering if the lack of skills contributes to the issue, as I have a friend who donates items to the charity shop when they lose a button!

MrsSparkington · 29/12/2023 08:55

If charity shops wants to charge high prices in line with proper shops then they damn well should be checking items properly

CoatOfArms · 29/12/2023 08:58

I have lost count of the number of times I have sorted clothes, priced them as perfect and it's only when they get steamed you notice the hole or stain or tear. The lighting in our back shop isn't great. Mistakes get made, especially when you're under pressure to get through as many bags as possible.

nottaotter · 29/12/2023 08:59

Ive given up on on charity shops mostly, I shop on vinted and buy brand new. Although I do still look for household stuff sometimes.

I think it's annoying but to be honest I think most people expect there to be some small flaws? At a couple of quid not a big deal but if you are paying 20 for a top with holes then thats different.

Ive set up a charity donation from my bank account and would rather give that way.

saraclara · 29/12/2023 09:02

FANTINE2 · 29/12/2023 00:23

Yes, I understand what people are saying about how hard the volunteers are working, but there is often a manager present who actually gets paid, so I would expect the items to be checked.
Also,bit of a weak excuse I know , but sometimes it is difficult to actually check items thoroughly as the light in the shop is do bad.

It's the same light that they have to check the clothes under.

I'd expect the purchaser to have more time to check the condition than the busy volunteer. And it's insane to think that the manager has time to check every item thoroughly. The manager's job is to manage the team and the running of the shop, not to check every item..

WickDittington · 29/12/2023 09:09

crimsonlake · 28/12/2023 22:51

It may sound obvious but don't you check over the garment yourself before buying it in the shop?

This! You sound a bit spoiled- if you’re buying second hand, caveat emptor.

dudsville · 29/12/2023 09:13

This is beside the point, but what a great thing it would be if charity shops had menders on site.

pettyreason · 29/12/2023 09:13

Floisme · 29/12/2023 08:07

I think your main complaint should be with donors who fob off substandard clothes on charity shops because they can't be bothered sorting them out or disposing of them.

This for days.

I'm lazy and tend to rely on Thrift+ these days, both for donating and buying. They offer returns but everything I've received has been as advertised or better so can't opine on how smooth the process is.

CyberCritical · 29/12/2023 09:27

I'd be more pissed off at the cheeky bastards who just want to get stuff out of their house so donate faulty items to charity then feel good about themselves for being charitable.

Bearpawk · 29/12/2023 10:35

Due to the rise of vinted etc. I think charity shops are largely shite now.
Anything of any value will have gone on vinted or have been peeled off by staff to sell as vintage or pre-loved for a higher margin. Leaving only the dregs for the actual charity shops.

covetingthepreciousthings · 29/12/2023 10:36

dudsville · 29/12/2023 09:13

This is beside the point, but what a great thing it would be if charity shops had menders on site.

Some of them do! Probably a very very small proportion, but still, some do which is a start.

Zone2NorthLondon · 29/12/2023 10:37

dudsville · 29/12/2023 09:13

This is beside the point, but what a great thing it would be if charity shops had menders on site.

Menders on site? Like an army of fixers from haberdashery. How very twee and unrealistic

SideBob · 29/12/2023 10:38

Zone2NorthLondon · 28/12/2023 22:44

Often the staff are volunteers, and are busy with multiple tasks
You aren’t compelled to pay the prices if you feel they’re inflated it’s a judgment if you think it’s a fair price or not.£25 does seem high for three high street items

Read the OP again. The price is not the problem.

The problem is she's paying that price for damaged clothes.

Honestly, how can you twist that to make it her fault?

DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy · 29/12/2023 10:40

I was just reading an article about the 'dump and run' issue that is a huge problem for charity shops now. People are just dumping multiple bin bags worth of stuff at night, of which it's estimated 30-50% is unsellable. The shops with the red lines outside have less of an issue apparently as people simply can't do it.

Whataretheodds · 29/12/2023 10:45

Use your phone torch?

I used to volunteer in a charity shop and there is never enough time to get through everything. People donate absolute rubbish. Now I suspect it's even worse because1) generally production standards have gone down so they stuff is poorer quality in the first place. 2) people will sell anything they thing they can get a couple of quid for on vinted or similar, so charity shops get the dregs.

Whataretheodds · 29/12/2023 10:46

DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy · 29/12/2023 10:40

I was just reading an article about the 'dump and run' issue that is a huge problem for charity shops now. People are just dumping multiple bin bags worth of stuff at night, of which it's estimated 30-50% is unsellable. The shops with the red lines outside have less of an issue apparently as people simply can't do it.

Yep this is a problem, and the charity has to pay to send stuff for rags or dispose of it.

ShanghaiDiva · 29/12/2023 10:54

I’m a volunteer and mistakes do get made, although not often ime. We will always refund or sell a damaged item (missing button, small stain) for a nominal sum/donation.
it works be ideal if people did not donate damaged items: we have to pay for the rubbish collection and take valuable time to sort through the bags.