Mary Queen of Charity Shops

[abstractzebra]

I remember watching this years ago and enjoyed it but when I got made redundant a while ago, I really wanted a complete change of career and now manage a large charity shop.
I wanted to see how relevant it was to me now.
It was really hard to find and I had to watch on YouTube and it was really poor quality.
Absolutely loved it!
Funny, emotional and still so relevant today.
I recognise the updated style of the shop in my own shop and realise now that Mary's ideas have probably sunk in and have inspired many organisations.
It's a shame it's not readily available on iplayer as it would really help charity shops or maybe a new updated programme?
The only thing that hasn't changed is the dismal donations! We still get the dirty pants and used loo brushes along with some absolute gems.
Worth another watch! 😍

It was on Netflix for a long time , might even still be onNetflix

Thanks! I didn't actually look on there but I've seen it now.

I was a manager if a charity shop when it came out and I remember all the old dears bitching about it on our tea breaks 😂 I loved it

I think she was responsible for the ridiculously inflated prices in charity shops.

She's great though,love watching her.

Inflated prices or putting a realistic value on premium items?
I thought that was one of the highlights. Making people understand value. If a certain designer bag is £500 but a charity shop sells it for £150, then it's a bargain. If someone thinks they can get it cheaper elsewhere, they are welcome to go there and purchase it.

I remember this. I didn't like it when this nice volunteer cried. I think Mary didn't like his display or something.

They trouble is they started inflated the prices of everything not just designer handbags. I used to do a lot shopping in charity shops as did friends and we all say the same, way too expensive when there are alternatives.

@motheroreily I think that was probably her biggest mistake in the whole thing.
She wanted to employ a paid manager and suggested that he may be suitable.
He got very stressed about it but I thought you could tell he wasn't really up to it.
He stayed though as a volunteer and I think more than any of the others, he enjoyed being pushed a little and experiencing things like London fashion week.
He had his limits though.
I've found the whole volunteer experience really enlightening.
I now appreciate everyone has different levels of confidence and experience but also, no one really has any obligation to be there so if they drop out at the last minute, you can't tell them off or dock their pay!!!!
I think it's far more difficult than dealing with paid employees where, if their attendance is poor or they don't achieve what you want them to do, you can take action.
With volunteers, it is what it is and you really appreciate what they do, whether it be a little or a lot.

I was only talking about this show yesterday as my son was clearing out his wardrobe and asking what to do with old worn out clothes. Something that stuck with me was the way she said that by giving people bin bags for their donations it felt like they were asking for rubbish, so she tried giving out gift tags, hoping for one really nice quality donation instead. Made a lot of sense at the time, but sounds like it hasn’t make a lot of difference if you’re still getting grubby donations!

I did watch this. She absolutely ruined charity shops IMHO. If I wanted designer I would save up for new and not buy somebody else's cast offs. Same with books. I'm not paying £2.99 for a second hand paperback when I can buy a new one for 4 or 5. And the way she treated the volunteers was a disgrace.

Have you been to her shops? They are in posh areas so you’d think you would find some bargains. Nope they are so expensive and just sell tat. Mind you I don’t think people that wear designer gear give it to charity shops. I haven’t seen anything decent since the 1980’s when we all used to customise our outfits.

@abstractzebra. I agree. It really upset me at the time. Then Mary got upset because the area manager told her what she'd done but she needed to be told. That volunteer was obviously lacking in confidence and self esteem and you can't treat volunteers like that. I don't think she appreciated how different volunteers are to paid workers.
I'm glad he stayed on as a volunteer and hope he was continued to be valued.

From what I've seen of her before, she clearly is a tough business woman but you could feel her emotion and on the whole she did a good job.
I don't think that a lot of people really understand that charity shops are not and have never been there to provide items cheaper than cheap. They are there to raise as much money as possible for people in need.
I know that if I donated a new item of clothing and I then saw it being sold at a ridiculously low price, I'd be cross as it's not raising it's full potential.
When people come in and moan about our prices (unjustified), I always say 'if you've seen it elsewhere for cheaper, then obviously it wouldn't make sense for you to buy it here'
They usually buy it in my shop!

I'm not paying £2.99 for a second hand paperback when I can buy a new one for 4 or 5

There is a vanishingly small number of paperbacks worth reading at £4 new. I'm perfectly happy to save a couple of quid by getting the paperback in a second hand shop, the chances are that what is in the charity shop isn't that easy to find new anyway.

I love these charity shop threads. I'm a volunteer, and being involved has given me an insight into our nationwide organisation, and how hard people work to make money for the charity.

Used loo brushes, knackered old pots and pans, broken toys, chipped crockery, etc. How could anyone think those can be resold? Old clothes in any state, yes thank you, although I'd draw the line at dirty pants!

We sell paperbacks for £1, unless it's something special.
I look at the cover price of some of the books we sell and always think what a great bargain they are.
Non-fiction is never really much more than £1.50 - £2. I noticed the other day that Jamie Oliver's books are being sold again in book shops with updated covers at £18 each.
Can't see how anyone can complain about getting the old version for £1.50!
I just don't get the donation thing and can't believe that people really don't know that their items are unsellable! I had one of those boiled egg cookers donated a while ago and it had clearly been on fire!!!! Honestly, why would anyone think that would be ok?
Rubbish collection is a major cost for charity shops.
We get people who, even when the full up sign is out, dump bags in the shop by hiding them behind racks and in the changing room.
Guaranteed these bags will be full of rubbish!

I remember the series well! It made me really re-evaluate what I donate to the shops. Not that I donated soiled knickers etc but just to really consider is this something that someone is willing to buy or is it more fit to be appropriately recycled.

Ever since I've donated a lot of excellent quality branded items, clothes, hand bags etc rather than trying to sell them on-line. Saved me so much time and it gave me pleasure to know these items will be appreciated by the charity shops.

@abstractzebra I've often wondered if the shop volunteers have a first dips on items before they go fo sale? I really don't mean to be offensive, please do not take it that way.

@MrsPelligrinoPetrichor

They trouble is they started inflated the prices of everything not just designer handbags. I used to do a lot shopping in charity shops as did friends and we all say the same, way too expensive when there are alternatives.

Fully agree, you can buy brand new stuff in supermarkets cheaper than what charity shops price clothes up for.

@RedHotChiliChips
Obviously staff see items first but none of ours are really looking for premium items as we see them quite frequently and it doesn't make sense to buy things you don't need.
It's more likely that they would be buying a book for their grandchild or a kitchen item.
I sometimes buy trainers or bags which are in the rag bag because they are filthy dirty and then I clean them up at home.
I think if it doesn't work, at least I've had a go but I've had a 100% success rate so far!