Charity Shop Ignorance

A question about : Charity Shop Ignorance

One of my local charity shops states that it opens at 9.30. I got there at 9.30 and waited for 10 minutes in the snow while the people inside took off their coats, walked up and down the stairs and tried to pretend they hadn't seen me. Eventually the man on the till let me in and I handed over my carrier bag of donations (which he thanked me for, I must say). I have been giving them a lot of stuff recently and all good quality. Not any more; I'll be walking to the other shop in future.

Best answers:

• To be fair, a lot of charity shops have car booters/cash in the attic fans banging on their doors at opening time, frantic for moneymaking opportunities. These people (the pointy elbow brigade) aren't bad per se, but I wouldn't hurry to let them in, particularly if it was possible that the clock was a bit slow too (often seen in shops near me).
  But sometimes I think a little more appreciation wouldn't go amiss - ignoring customers whilst they have chats about what they have already put aside for themselves can be rather irritating, and when the prices are put up to imply that it is a 'proper shop', I do expect something resembling proper customer service. A fancy colour co-ordinated window display is very nice, but when the goods inside are priced higher than their original selling price and you know the nice stuff in the window is already reserved for the staff, it isn't going to encourage anyone to support their charity.
  So if there is something in both local shops, I will always go to the less commercialised and friendlier shop for it, even if it turns out to be more expensive (which is a rare thing because they understand that they are selling other people's cast offs, not a high fashion boutique lifestyle).
• I haven't bothered with Charity shops in a long time. There are hundreds in my parents town, it's over-run by them. I've only been in one with good service and helpful (put up my own charity posters).
  Now I give any good clothes I'm getting rid of to a shop that gives me a percentage of them if they sell, and charity ones go in the clothes bins.
  I may try them again when I need a new wardrobe overhaul in the summer, now I've moved though
  P
• My MIL works in a charity shop one day a week. I think most charity shop works dont get paid so I dont begrudge any of them putting aside any bargains.
  My daughter helps out and as part of college work experience in another shop one day a week, she is allowed a freebie every time, but she rarely takes it, they even pay for her travel expenses she is claimed but she has a bus pass so doesn't claim anyway
  Oh and apparently its norm that if clothes dont sell within a short space of time it goes to the rag man and they get pittance for the rags
• This happened in most of the charity shops in Newcastle town centre, only at closing time. They closed earlier than normal shops anyway (about 4.30 if I remember rightly) but you'd get there at 20 past and they'd often be closed anyway.
• I gave some baby clothes to a charity shop in Bolton a few months ago. I wont do it again. The clothes were excellent quality and i was upset to be giving them up but the woman behind the counter didnt even say thank you! I felt like walking back inot the shop to get them back. I didnt but its definately put me off giving any of my old clothes to charity- i will sell them on ebay instead!
• Im an assistant manager ar PDSA in Wrexham, and Im horrified at some things afew of you have experienced. All our volunteers are AMAZING and we are all so grateful for any stock we get.
  It is true, if things are not sold or not 'good enough to sell' we send it to the rag man, and he gives us money for them. These clothes are then sent abroad or to other charity shops etc!
• I'm amazed at some of the prices charged for books.
  I usually like to browse the charity shops for books, but I have been put off by the latest price rises. one Barnados shop charges Ј2.99 & Ј3.99 for books that I can get off Amazon for 1p + Ј2.75 postage. They have always arrived in good condition.
  The books in the charity shop are very often in a tatty condition, with pages ripped, missing or written on.
  It's no good the charities complaining they have reduced income, when the customers are feeling ripped off!
• The books in all my local charity shops have gone up from about 50p to Ј1 a couple of years ago, to nothing under Ј2, even things that came free with a magazine, are old and tatty etc. I have stopped buying books from them and use the local library more or buy cheap books online.
  I havn't stopped donating old clothes etc despite not being thanked because its quiker than ebay and I don't want to spend all my time at the post office.
• I object most to things from Primark being charged at over the original price - how many plain T shirts do you get from there costing Ј7.95, or handbags at Ј20? Even before they have been worn/used/sweated in/scuffed.
• I agree with everything you have all said.
  At my shop, our books are 99p or 50p depending on the condition.
  Clothes range from Ј1 - Ј3 depending on condition. We've had some nice coats in recently, which we sold for Ј6 (originally Ј30 from debenhams, some still with tags)
  Our handbags range from Ј1-Ј2.50.
  I think we are a pretty well priced. I also price items to what I would pay for this item etc
• I love our little suburban Age Concern shop. We've had bargain furniture and bargain baby stuff, we go in every couple of days looking for new items. Their books are still 5 for Ј2 (even hardbacks) so last week I picked up the latest Dan Brown and the new Dean Koontz (only just out), both hardback. And the staff are really nice and friendly.
• Hi .I dont donate to the British heart foundation anymore as they charge high prices. Id rather give to a charity who would only charge a small amount. Lots of people rely on these shops for their clothing so I dont think its fair to have high prices.
  Im all for the charity to make a profit but not at the expense of the least well off .
• british heart foundation last week, 4.50 for a dictionary, 3.00 for the book next to it. I could get both books from amazon cheaper. bernardos is going the same way. I love a good mooch around the secy shops but lately they are more expensive than real shops.
• I live in Leeds and we have a local charity who have many shops around Leeds. I wont give to them out of principle now, the only times i have given to them they didn't even bother to say thank you and left me standing there with heavy bags whilst they gossiped.
  This has happened to quite a few other people too who also feel the same way I do.
  Its a shame that these people who volunteer do more harm than than good to an otherwise worthwhile charity.
• I agree that a lot of the prices are totally opverpriced. One shop I go in is averaging at Ј5 for a top/tshirt. Some of the makes are your average ones too.
  I don't see how they can think that's a bargain for shoppers when you can go to somewhere like Primark and get a brand new unworn top for about Ј3!
  primark/new look jewellery is about Ј3/4 and coats are Ј10, I looked at a cookbook the other day (old one) and it was Ј3.50. It's sad that they overprice because in the long run, cheaper pricing would mean better turnaroun, less to the ragman, and more returning customers.
  It is a shame cos sometimes I see things which are nice and I look at the price and am surprised and weeks later it's still there!
  Plus I have been in a fair few times now where the manager is being rude to people and it's so awkward you don't know where to look!!