Charity shop

[Qwerty]

This may be for Glamma to answer and tell me if this is normal procedure but join in with comments, I have been down this morning to Dr Barnados charity shop with 2 indoor jardinieres , so have had them many years and paid a fair amount for them ,now they have outgrown my style of home. One was a column with a column design plant pot the other which was much taller had a twisted style stem and the pot had a twisted design all ceramic and white in colour.
When I took them in and asked if they would like them she jumped at the chance that was fine, in the meantime my OH went to the post office so I said i would wander round the shop, whilst there one of the ladies that works there came back from lunch and asked about them so l listened to the conversation she commented that she liked the plant pot on the taller more elaborate jardinière, took it away and brought out the most awful plant pot that didn't fit the jardinière and really cheapened it, she didn't know I was the one who brought it in obviously and it now stands in the window vey naff, I know I gave them in charitable circumstances and it's nothing to do with me now but it's proper upset me as these were treasured possessions I only hope she paid for the plant pot !!

[aggie]

sadly I think this is what happens , I would have been annoyed too

[Nana]

What a cheek. No wonder you're miffed.

[Oma]

Qwerty my SIL,s mother worked in a charity shop and she often would say staff gleaned off what they liked from donated stuff , always giving a donation for what they took but she never did . She said she felt it wasn't right but as long as they are giving a good donation and not just taking advantage . I can see how you would feel a bit annoyed though as you have had them a long time . I have lots of towels to take to the Animal shelter and Curtains to charity shop , I was going to put them on the stuff for free page for our area but I have been looking at it for past few weeks and noticed it's been the same people taking everything that's offered , I suspect they sell it on

[Enfys]

I used to know someone who volunteered in a charity shop and she would go through all the jewellery and take any that had a hallmark on it. She would only put a couple of pounds in the till then would sell it on. She used to make pounds doing this. So wrong, but the manager was not on the ball and didn't look closely at what she was taking

[Glammanana]

How awful Qwerty,I would not have been able to contain myself and comment that yes it was delightful and given me many years pleasure,making the said volunteer aware that you had donated them and where on the ball so to speak,in my shop all donated goods have to be on the shop floor for a minimum of 2 weeks before the staff are allowed to buy and then only a 25% discount is given,the till receipt is then entered into staff sales book and signed by volunteer and myself,its the only fair way to do things,my regulars do keep an eye on their contributions I may add even if it is only to see how much their treasures have raised for the Charity.I do hope the volunteer paid for the plant pot,I would let my feeling be known no doubt about that little episode ladies.

[Nanto2girls]

My eldest son knows someone who volunteers in a charity shop, and he helps himself to the pick of the crop, then sells it on.
I think it is so wrong, when people have been good enough to donate it.
glamma, it sounds like you have a good system in your shop, a lot could learn from you.

[Daisy]

Qwerty - you did well to stop yourself from saying anything. I don't know if I would have managed that! What a cheek, but from other comments it sounds as though it's common practice. Glam's system is fair and ought to be the norm for all charity shops.

[ZIZI]

I think I wrote on here (or the other one) that I took some very nice crockery to a charity shop. A big set which was not cheap even now. I had parked at the back of the shops as I was collecting some tiles I had ordered form another shop in the same row. I went back to get the tiles half an hour later and saw one of the shop workers loading the whole lot in the back of her car. There was a full twelve place dinner and tea service, cutlery, slow cooker and various other things. When I went into the shop and asked how much they were going to sell it for (sleuth that I am) as I would like to make a note of my charity donations I was told they wouldn't know for some time because the people who value things only come in once a week. Well they missed that one didn't they? I do not donate to that shop anymore.

[Qwerty]

I know I should have said something my heart was in my mouth but it was busy and as usual don't like any confrontation , Glam has her shop in order and it's a shame that people and shops like hers suffer but I would think twice before donating again , all because of someone's greed 😡

[Daisy]

Qwerty, I wasn't implying that you should have said something, I've just got a big mouth and wouldn't be able to stop myself! I don't stop to think, especially when I'm annoyed.

[Gemini]

Glamma, I think the system in your shop is really good, and just as it should be.
Qwerty, I can understand why you were annoyed

[Glammanana]

Qwerty would you not think of ringing the Central Office of the said Charity and talk to the Area Manager (she/he may have more going for them than the one I've got lol) it sounds like the shop staff needs retraining and the manager keeping a firm grip as to the procedure in store.Actions like this certainly give the wrong impression to the hard working ladies who work by the book don't they ladies ? I have found it hard to retrain my volunteers not with helping themselves but with pricing items when I first started some ladies had been there so long and where working in the old way of pricing most items/clothing at 50/99p and when I was looking through the rails I was finding Per Una/Boden/Debenhams etc priced at these silly prices so now I do all the pricing and hey-ho we are making a profit,the only items under £1 are Primark items in A1 condition and glass bric-a brac,my ladies now understand the Brand names as before the man who was the manager just left them to their own devices and they had done it for so long they knew no different which was a shame.We now have a totally new way of running the shop and its a pleasure to be there (most days) xx

[Shemadee]

The system Glamma uses sounds very fair. A shame it isn't common policy for all charity shops. The staff in the one I volunteered in were left to price things however they chose which was often based on how much they liked an item. The staff in our local hospice shops are very offhand to the point of rudeness which is a shame. A smile and a polite thank you cost nothing. Instead you get told "put them over there" in a gruff manner. Last time the lady snatched the bag from OH and said "I hope there aren't any videos or CDs in here?" We now take items in to town to the women's refuge shop or the place where they help the homeless.

[Daisy]

Shem - our local hospice charity shop gets more donations than they can handle and I suspect a lot of it is sold on. They've got recycling type bins lined up outside at the back of the premises! It's a well-run shop and goods are of good quality and fairly priced, but some of the smaller charities would give their eye teeth for better quality donations. It's a difficult business to be in, I think. I should add this hospice is absolutely wonderful at what they do - kind, caring, efficient and totally supportive of patients and relatives alike.

Glamm - well done to you for getting your shop's pricing sorted out.