Charity Shops Very Picky

[bainbrig]

Or at least round here they are (fairly affluent NW London suburb).

Won’t take this, don’t want that... Books? Only if they’re in as-new condition(!)

When I think of the poverty in the world, this actually makes me weep.

Or is it different where you live?

BB

[MWG14]

They can only take good that they know will sell on. Some people seem to think that they are dumping grounds for all sorts of tack.

[marval]

The ones round here are not that picky. I use to work in one, as long as the things were in a reasonable condition we would take them.

[woofgang]

its not the charity shops who want to be picky, its the customers who are picky. There is no point their accepting items they can't sell as it costs them money for disposal.

[bhg481]

The reason that charity shops don't want "rubbish" is that if they can't sell it they have to PAY the council to take it away as it as classed as business rubbish.

[teacake44]

I think sometimes people just use them as a dumping ground, then they have the problem of getting rid of the rubbish, so I don't think its a case of being picky.

[teacake44]

WHOOPS all of the same opinion, so that must be the reason :)

[bainbrig]

Well, having lived quite long, I’ve watched as me and Mrs B used to buy most of our stuff from charity shops, 50+ years ago, to now, where young people wouldn’t be seen dead in one, so I see that point.

But no, the sort of gear we’re trying to send is good 2nd-hand stuff, which WE would have loved in 1969! We recycle our rubbish, and it breaks our hearts to fill our rubbish bins with such treasures. This country’s affluence has blinded people to what is of value - now, it’s only “Is it expensive?, Is it designer?”

[pixie374]

I find the same, although I appreciate they will only take what they think they will sell. The local ones here will not even take brand new books, as so many people have kindles etc, although I would have thought there was at least still a market for books. I expect there are also a lot of people also getting rid of them. It also depends on what space they have.
It does seem a shame though, in some ways. But I guess they have the same overheads as any other shop.

[andy-hughes]

I think the problem is that charity shops have limited space, like every outlet, and need to maximise that space to turn over as much stock as possible for the best prices.

This does lead to a selection process which may seem 'picky' but is rooted in simple economics - if it doesn't sell quickly for a good price, it takes up valuable room that could be occupied by goods that will sell quickly for a good price.

[Mamyalynne]

There are so many variables, some outlined above and the staff in te shop are told from higher up what they can accept or not.

Freegle is sometimes a better option, people buy books to recycle for craft projects for instance.

Plenty thrifty young people in my neck of the woods, upcycling and crafting have had a new lease of life.

[jno]

there are book shelves at our station, where people can pick up a book to read on the train or leave an old one or both. Sometime the books vanish so quickly I suspect booksellers are hauling them off for resale.

[Buenchico]

As Andy says, limited space is often a major consideration for charity shops. A charity shop a few minutes walk from my house has no storage space at all. If they can't find a space for a donated item immediately, they can't accept it.

[bainbrig]

Well, I see I should be more complacent.

[DTCwordfan]

Oxfam down here take books.....not the others. What amazes me is furniture - perfectly good stuff turfed out as it doesn't have the fire safety labelling.....

[jno]

might as well, BB, nothing we can do about it.

[Mamyalynne]

Not complacent as such Bill, more understanding of the constraints upon them.

If you have items that a charity could possibly make use of - menswear foe example, then contact the Salvation Army or a Homeless Hostel and donate directly.

[Mamyalynne]

DTC, now we are into legalities - a risk charities can't afford to take.

[pixie374]

They also can't take safety gates or child car seats, as they don't know how safe they are. That is understandable as well.

[woofgang]

Fire safety labelling is the law, not charity shops being picky. I did a fire safety course many years ago now where they talked about the fire in Woolworths. The people in there who inhaled smoke from the polyurathane stuffing in the soft furnishings were killed by it. Apparently it doesn't happen at once, there were literally dead men walking :( https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-manchester-20598600

[nailit]

I worked in a charity shop years ago and was (initially) disgusted at the amount of donated stock that went to the tip...books, clothes, toys etc...
It wasn't the charities fault, simply no room to hoard stuff that no-one came in to buy anyway. But all of that 'stuff' could have been passed on if we had things like Freecycle back in the day.