Topic ID 2862
Slightly disappointed for a second time yesterday about the (normally very helpful) attitude in a couple of the charity shops. I had a clear out in the office and had some useful officey type bits which I thought the charity shops might like to sell. However, I was greeted with a distinct look of distain when some of the pieces were offered. I know we all have off days, and that sorting through old stuff must be pretty miserable sometimes, but a little more explanation and understanding wouldn't go amiss. Even a [:)]maybe.. What are the rules and regulations regarding acceptance anyway? A very serviceable modem was rejected because 'it was electrical..?' Anyone know for future reference?
Reply ID 41382
I know what you mean I took a vase into one and asked if they could sell them, was greeted by a lovely lady who said oh yes please they sell well, so i said I would sort out some more for the, when i went back on a different day was greeted by "we can take electrical" (they were in bwon boxes) and I explained what they were to be greeted by wasn't me HOW MANY have you got. I now know to go to one shop on a Wednesday afternoon when my ex boss works there and avoid it on a Friday! Had it been old dirty clothes I could have understood but I had even taken the trouble to enquire BEFORE going down with them!
Reply ID 41384
I believe now that charity shops have to have all electricazl items tested before they can offer them for sale. I think the only shop that does that now is Isobel Hospice. The monthly auctions at Castle Hall fell foul of this regulation as well. I bid £12 for an amplifier, receiver, tape deck, reel to reel stereo tape deck and huge twin speakers - still all working extremely well after 10 years. On the other hand both me and Mrs Sloop have noticed that the level of service in all the shops rises and falls depending on the time, day and member of staff. One large donation of books, records etc was welcomed (welcomed?) without even a cursory 'thank you.'
Reply ID 41385
The problem with electrical equipment is that it has to be tested and proved to be safe and fit for sale. This has to be done by a qualified electrician. There is some guidance for donating to Oxfam here: http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/how_to_donate/cantsell.htm http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/how_to_donate/cantsell.htm http://www.oxfam.org.uk/shop/how_to_donate/cantsell.htm
Reply ID 41387
quote:The Isobel Hospice no longer accept electrical items either. I dropped some items off a couple of weeks ago and their first question was to check if there were any electrical items.
Originally posted by sloopjohnb
I believe now that charity shops have to have all electricazl items tested before they can offer them for sale. I think the only shop that does that now is Isobel Hospice. The monthly auctions at Castle Hall fell foul of this regulation as well. I bid £12 for an amplifier, receiver, tape deck, reel to reel stereo tape deck and huge twin speakers - still all working extremely well after 10 years. On the other hand both me and Mrs Sloop have noticed that the level of service in all the shops rises and falls depending on the time, day and member of staff. One large donation of books, records etc was welcomed (welcomed?) without even a cursory 'thank you.'
Reply ID 41389
My most disappointing experience was when I had a car load of good second hand clothes as a result of a collection for a charity I am involved with. Our charity needed shoes and there were some in the Oxfam shop. I offered to swap my entire car load of clothes for the few pairs of shoes I needed only to be told by the volunteer that she was not able to make those sorts of decisions.
Reply ID 41396
I can understand the electrical items, they can't risk breaking legislation but when they are other items that are prefectly salebale it can be a bit offputting.
Reply ID 41402
We have to remember that Charity shops do have to pay out of precious funds for 'total tat' to be dispose of. However saying that - Oxfam we absolutely delighted with our massive Video collection when we moved. My Son took new stuff (complete with labels) to Isobel Hospice (one of my favourite charities) but because it was half an hour before closing was told 'you are lucky I am accepting this) Just glad I was not there. British Heart Foundation are really grateful as I found out due to unfortunate circumstaces recently. Please, however don't use the clothes and book re-cycling bins to get rid of totally unusable stuff, it costs the Charities money.
Reply ID 41403
For electrical goods try http://www.freecycle.org/groups/unitedkingdom/#Hertfordshire Hertford Freecycle.[img]http://www.freecycle.org/groups/unitedkingdom/#Hertfordshire
Reply ID 41425
quote:I totally agree, I am sure they get given lots of tat and unsaleable items that they then have to dispose of, having said that to get the greeting I did when taking in items they said they did want having asked before hand I though was a bit off, I now avoid going the day that particular lady is on duty!
Originally posted by Tigger
We have to remember that Charity shops do have to pay out of precious funds for 'total tat' to be dispose of. However saying that - Oxfam we absolutely delighted with our massive Video collection when we moved. My Son took new stuff (complete with labels) to Isobel Hospice (one of my favourite charities) but because it was half an hour before closing was told 'you are lucky I am accepting this) Just glad I was not there. British Heart Foundation are really grateful as I found out due to unfortunate circumstaces recently. Please, however don't use the clothes and book re-cycling bins to get rid of totally unusable stuff, it costs the Charities money.
Reply ID 41428
quote:This is interesting to know. I took them a CD player a couple of months ago (after confirming that they did accept electrical items) which was gratefully received. Thanks for the update though Ewoowar - I will use Hertford freecycle in future for electrical goods.
Originally posted by Ewoowar The Isobel Hospice no longer accept electrical items either. I dropped some items off a couple of weeks ago and their first question was to check if there were any electrical items.
Reply ID 41434
quote:Actually, given that several people have posted stating that acceptance of items is dependent upon who is in the shop when you arrive perhaps it's worth phoning first.
Originally posted by SallyBquote:This is interesting to know. I took them a CD player a couple of months ago (after confirming that they did accept electrical items) which was gratefully received. Thanks for the update though Ewoowar - I will use Hertford freecycle in future for electrical goods.
Originally posted by Ewoowar The Isobel Hospice no longer accept electrical items either. I dropped some items off a couple of weeks ago and their first question was to check if there were any electrical items.
Reply ID 41443
quote:That's great! Proves this Forum's worth in just one small posting. Thank-you.
Originally posted by Dell Boy
For electrical goods try http://www.freecycle.org/groups/unitedkingdom/#Hertfordshire Hertford Freecycle.[img]http://www.freecycle.org/groups/unitedkingdom/#Hertfordshire
Reply ID 41456
[img]http://smilies.sofrayt.com/%5E/g/hitchhik.gif[/img] It's amazing what you find on Freecycle, I think most members on the forum are aware of it, but I still like to [img]http://smilies.sofrayt.com/%5E/g/hitchhik.gif[/img] through the charity shops for a bargain.
Reply ID 41460
Though I can give, or sell you a used electrical item privately and not be liable if it injures you, a Charity outlet is subject to the same rules and liabilities as any other retailer. What's different about their staff is that they are volunteers. Though well meaning, it's difficult to train, or indeed dismiss someone should they show themselves to not have the best of people skills in the way a company might do if they were an employee.
Reply ID 41464
An early-retired friend of mine is trying to volunteer his services at the Ware Oxfam. You have to fill in a ginormous application form -- it's a wonder anyone volunteers.
Reply ID 41498
quote:I didn't think the form was that bad when I saw one - and, as a volunteer, you are being trusted with the days takings?
Originally posted by Ray_by_the_Beane
An early-retired friend of mine is trying to volunteer his services at the Ware Oxfam. You have to fill in a ginormous application form -- it's a wonder anyone volunteers.
Reply ID 41504
having irregular turn-outs means we usually have a car-load of good quality stuff to give away. After one memorable weekend last year where 3 charity shops (in particular the oxfam in Ware with nowhere to park while unloading) would only take two boxes maximum we gave up and drove to the massive Isabel Hospice in Harlow and got rid of the lot.
Reply ID 41512
I suppose there is a danger that we see charity shops as a convenient method of getting rid of waste. Perhaps we, including myself, should try to see the situation from their perspective.
Reply ID 41514
quote:I have to agree, certainly not too long. Basic details and a couple of reliable references.
Originally posted by Deverauxquote:I didn't think the form was that bad when I saw one - and, as a volunteer, you are being trusted with the days takings?
Originally posted by Ray_by_the_Beane
An early-retired friend of mine is trying to volunteer his services at the Ware Oxfam. You have to fill in a ginormous application form -- it's a wonder anyone volunteers.
Reply ID 41540
Charity shops raison d'etre is to raise money for the charitable purposes for which the charity exists. In order to do that they need to have good saleable stock. Many of the major charities now organise their shops in a very professional manner with paid managers and a high standard of presentation and publicity. It is therefore only reasonable for them to be choosy over what they receive and try to sell. I am not saying anyone here has done this, but it is not unusual for donation to include choice items such as soiled clothing, books that are musty and warped by damp, broken toys. As Ewoowar says they are not an alternative to the dump and it does create expense and waste volunteer time to have to dispose of other people's waste. If you take stuff to a commercial dealer you would expect them to pick it over and reject stuff with little or no value, why should charities behave differently?
Reply ID 41543
In the past I have run a collection for 'good standard' second hand children's clothes for a charity. We got all sorts. Soiled clothes, adult underwear, worn out and ripped items. A lot of the clothes were donated with best intentions. However it was clear that some saw us as an opportunity to avoid a dump run or a trip to the clothes recycling bank.
Reply ID 41546
quote:Yes, I agree with everything said here - but I believe that it was the 'customer service' way in which stuff was rejected that concerned me. But, as I said before, we all have off days, and I must admit to being Basil Fawltyish on occaisions myself. Probably most days, come to think of it..[:)]
Originally posted by Andrew
Charity shops raison d'etre is to raise money for the charitable purposes for which the charity exists. In order to do that they need to have good saleable stock. Many of the major charities now organise their shops in a very professional manner with paid managers and a high standard of presentation and publicity. It is therefore only reasonable for them to be choosy over what they receive and try to sell. I am not saying anyone here has done this, but it is not unusual for donation to include choice items such as soiled clothing, books that are musty and warped by damp, broken toys. As Ewoowar says they are not an alternative to the dump and it does create expense and waste volunteer time to have to dispose of other people's waste. If you take stuff to a commercial dealer you would expect them to pick it over and reject stuff with little or no value, why should charities behave differently?
Reply ID 42327
It can be difficult to keep a smile on your face and welcome donations when you've already had to deal with: Bags of odd socks (unwashed) Undies (unwashed) Clothes with food and other stains down the front Broken downright dangerous toys (plastic trikes go fragile if exposed to sunlight for a year or two) 40 year old matinee jackets (complete with holes where the stitches were dropped) Toxic shoes covered in mud and other substances (I try not to investigate too much) And some carrier bags that smell so bad I don't open them This isn't an exageration just an average day. In a normal week I can receive 60+ black bags (or their equivalent) Of that 24 will go straight to the rag man. (At £2 a sack not forgetting that I have the pleasure of checking all these clothes first) Of the remainder I will fill a trade waste container of about 1000 cubic litres(think thats the size)
Reply ID 42340
quote:We've just donated a black bag of vintage 1960's dresses. Being aware of the trend for vintage clothing - I hope that they will prove useful and not end up in the rag bag! Mind you - they're no longer my responsibility so why am I even worrying![:D]
Originally posted by Anorak
It can be difficult to keep a smile on your face and welcome donations when you've already had to deal with: Bags of odd socks (unwashed) Undies (unwashed) Clothes with food and other stains down the front Broken downright dangerous toys (plastic trikes go fragile if exposed to sunlight for a year or two) 40 year old matinee jackets (complete with holes where the stitches were dropped) Toxic shoes covered in mud and other substances (I try not to investigate too much) And some carrier bags that smell so bad I don't open them This isn't an exageration just an average day. In a normal week I can receive 60+ black bags (or their equivalent) Of that 24 will go straight to the rag man. (At £2 a sack not forgetting that I have the pleasure of checking all these clothes first) Of the remainder I will fill a trade waste container of about 1000 cubic litres(think thats the size)
Reply ID 42369
Which shop did you take them too - might be interested to take a look!
Reply ID 42384
I have a plan.[}:)] All the really bad, revolting stuff, put out for the fake card through the door collectors. Otherwise, I work on this principle:- If I don't want it and I can't persuade anyone to buy it on eBay, the charity won't find a buyer either and therefore should not be burdened with it's disposal. It's a donation, so it has to have a cash value.
Reply ID 42388
quote:Harlow. I think it's Isabel Hospice. The one in the huge warehouse round the corner from Staples.
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
Which shop did you take them too - might be interested to take a look!
Reply ID 42389
quote:Many thanks - will take a trip to Harlow [:)]
Originally posted by Mr Pquote:Harlow. I think it's Isabel Hospice. The one in the huge warehouse round the corner from Staples.
Originally posted by Kitty Kat
Which shop did you take them too - might be interested to take a look!
Reply ID 42396
Talking of the door to door collectors, we've just received one of their flyers in Bengeo. At least they are upfront about not being a charity and admit they will sell the clothing to those in the "third world" "God will reward you for your good hearts" No doubt Help and Trust LTD will be rewarded in a more monetary way!
Reply ID 49488
You'd think they would be grateful of donations wouldn't you - especially in this age of Car Boot sales and Ebay. Obviously not. I went out of my way to take 2 black sacks full of decent clean clothes, books etc plus a couple of other small bits of furniture to Isobel Hospice today - perfectly nice and undamaged. Was told in no uncertain terms that they were not interested in taking any of it - they didn't even bother to look at what there was. I'm sorry to say it - but it does not make you feel very charitable when you try to help out and get treated like that.
Reply ID 49490
gratitude for you. may be more appreciated if you fly tipped them on side of road?
Reply ID 49495
quote:Last weekend they had a sign on their back door stating that they had no space to accept any further donations. I suggest perhaps they didn't communicate this very well when you called.
Originally posted by aubend
You'd think they would be grateful of donations wouldn't you - especially in this age of Car Boot sales and Ebay. Obviously not. I went out of my way to take 2 black sacks full of decent clean clothes, books etc plus a couple of other small bits of furniture to Isobel Hospice today - perfectly nice and undamaged. Was told in no uncertain terms that they were not interested in taking any of it - they didn't even bother to look at what there was. I'm sorry to say it - but it does not make you feel very charitable when you try to help out and get treated like that.
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