Charity Shop Donations... why do i bother?!

Topics

mummymaz

Oh i am

A few years ago when i finished Uni i took loads of furniture, clothes and books to the local Oxfam - i was made up with myself i was doing a 'good turn' - when i got there the lady just sighed at me, looked disgusted and said "i wish you had of called before bringing all of THIS" ( the Oxfam was HUGE btw, on 3 levels) and continued to snatch the bags etc off me .. i left feeling like i'd really upset her but angry aswell at the way she spoke to me

So i boycotted Oxfam and moved my alligence to Bernardo's - i've been giving them my stuff for about 3 years now and have even got to know the ladies in there a little bit.. so i am moving this week, a great oppertunity to get rid of my old stuff (which is still really decent stuff) so i pack it all up, take it around there and they look to be closing down! I knocked on to ask if they were moving and the woman in there just started a rant at me " you are suppposed bring that BEFORE 5pm, we are making way for our WINTER stock today so take it to the other one, you arent supposed to LEAVE your bags here even though EVERYONE does" and shut the door on me!

FUMING!!!!!!!!!!! So I've now pledged alligence to Help the Aged... wonder how long it'll be before the loose the plot aswell ..

Point being, donations keep these shops open and making money for the Charity why why why are they so nasty to people who are only helping out??

Replies sorted oldest to newest

Christmas ChickenMember

thats disgraceful MM!

they should be happy with any donations no matter the size or time u bring it

9/9/0910:58 AM

DemantoidMember

Don't let it stop you being generous, MM

Most charity shop volunteers really do appreciate people's kindness - but there's always the odd awkward old buzzard who thinks the place is her social club, rather than somewhere to raise funds.

9/9/0910:58 AM

Garage JoeMember

It's to do with organisation syndrome where one loses sight of purpose.
You should certainly complain to Oxfam, I'm sure that they will have a whole bunch of admin people to take your call, in fact I know that they do. Not for nothing are they the most expensive shop of all.
In my experience the best run shops with the most polite staff are the Heart foundation although this may be regional.

9/9/0910:59 AM

DemantoidMember

I used to volunteer in Oxfam when I had more spare time. All the ladies there (most of them in their 60s and 70s) were lovely, but you should have seen some of the gits we had to serve.

People actually steal from charity shops - shocker!

9/9/0911:01 AM

BojanglesMember

The last Help the Aged shop I saw 2 weeks ago had a sign outside asking for clothes.

9/9/0911:01 AM

Christmas ChickenMember

i agree with the other posters , some people have forgotten what charity is about

9/9/0911:02 AM

mummymazMember

Well Bernardo's were always really nice before saying thanks and making chit chat but that woman really wound me up .. there wasn't a Cat's Protection Shop in the area otherwise they would get everything.. still though, really upset me that.

I know they are busy and they must get fed up sorting through people's old tat but i always give nice things, i throw anything that's not wearable in the recycling bins.

9/9/0911:04 AM

KaffsMember 10 years

I try to give to Age Concern or Help the Aged when I can. They're not a 'glamorous' charity so struggle a bit for donations. People would rather to contribute to cute kids or fluffy animals - old wrinklies don't have the same pulling power.

9/9/0911:06 AM

mummymazMember

quote:
Originally posted by ~~KaffyBaffy~~:
I try to give to Age Concern or Help the Aged when I can. They're not a 'glamorous' charity so struggle a bit for donations. People would rather to contribute to cute kids or fluffy animals - old wrinklies don't have the same pulling power.

well they have me now Kaffy - lovely ladies in there today

9/9/0911:08 AM

Christmas ChickenMember

quote:
Originally posted by Mummy Maz:
quote:
Originally posted by ~~KaffyBaffy~~:
I try to give to Age Concern or Help the Aged when I can. They're not a 'glamorous' charity so struggle a bit for donations. People would rather to contribute to cute kids or fluffy animals - old wrinklies don't have the same pulling power.

well they have me now Kaffy - lovely ladies in there today

9/9/0911:12 AM

KayteeMember 10 years

I used to donate all my stuff to Scope...until they closed their residential homes while still paying large salaries for PR/Administration.
I now take all my good stuff to the Hospice shop and put the rubbish in the recycling bin

9/9/0911:22 AM

Former Member

I've taken stuff to charity shops on a regular basis over about 20 years, and I have only ever had anyone thank me for my donations once! Every time I take bags into shops, I'm made to feel like I'm being a real nuisance. The last time, I took my things to a little local charity which provides support for families of cancer sufferers, and they were SO nice, and actually seemed pleased that I had brought my unwanted things to them. Needless to say, the stuff that's currently in my car boot will be going there next time I'm passing.

9/9/0911:43 AM

CroctacusMember

After my dad died and we cleared the house we gave loads of stuff to the Eleanor Foundation who had helped my mum...we rang the charity shop to let them know we were bringing in big stuff and they directed us where to take it cos it had to be round the back in a storage area. They were very nice and grateful for all donations.

9/9/0911:53 AM

ClumsycatMember

thats shocking

I give mine to the dogs one.. cant remember the name

9/9/0911:54 AM

serignhugrfMember

I am glad I get charity bags through my door at least twice a week so I can put my things out at my door step and they get picked up because the one time I took bags to a charity shop I was met with the same attitude as you were Maz.

9/9/0911:58 AM

Former Member

I reckon charidee shops are like churches: full of middle class people who want to be seen to be doing good for social reasons.

9/9/0912:06 PM

DemantoidMember

quote:
Originally posted by Daniel J*:
I reckon charidee shops are like churches: full of middle class people who want to be seen to be doing good for social reasons.

All the ones round my way are staffed by retired working class ladies, and the odd younger person with time on their hands.

9/9/0912:08 PM

Former Member

The only problem with leaving things out in the bags that come through your door is that they often don't get picked up by the charities. Where I live, it's quite common for people to drive round the streets looking for charity bags that have been left out, which they nick. Whilst the stuff people leave out isn't wanted any more, I'm sure most people would prefer it to be sold to raise money by a charity that lining someone's pocket at a boot fair

9/9/0912:09 PM

SazBombMember

You should phone and complain about the mental auld boot Maz... and tell them they're not getting anymore of your stuff too

9/9/0912:16 PM

Former Member

quote:
Originally posted by Demantoid:
quote:
Originally posted by Daniel J*:
I reckon charidee shops are like churches: full of middle class people who want to be seen to be doing good for social reasons.

All the ones round my way are staffed by retired working class ladies, and the odd younger person with time on their hands.

Blimey, you've got them all! No wonder all the ones around here have none in.

9/9/0912:20 PM

GetthekettleonMember

I used to volunteer in a charity shop on a Saturday,just to do my bit.The manager was a tyrant, i used to have to stand up for 7 hours, one cup of tea if i was lucky and NO break,no fag,no sitting down during the shift.I lasted 3 weeks.These rules also applied to the elderly volunteers who also worked there,some of them were over 70!

It was a total p take

9/9/0912:45 PM

KaffsMember 10 years

quote:
Originally posted by Getthekettleon:
I used to volunteer in a charity shop on a Saturday,just to do my bit.The manager was a tyrant, i used to have to stand up for 7 hours, one cup of tea if i was lucky and NO break,no fag,no sitting down during the shift.I lasted 3 weeks.These rules also applied to the elderly volunteers who also worked there,some of them were over 70! It was a total p take

As a volunteer?? I'd have told her to take a hike and put the kettle on!

9/9/0912:54 PM

Soozy WooMember

I know it's annoying and they may appear to be ungrateful but .......they are simply volunteers doing an unpaid job. I shouldn't let it put you off donating in the future .......sometimes life just gets in the way ...........they're not really ungrateful - just a bit stressed out.

9/9/0912:54 PM

MoominMember

I take all our donations to the depot of the Hospice which nursed my Mum. They have numerous shops in the area, and the depot sorts the stuff according to which shop it's suitable for. Some of the shops are in deprived areas and so will be happy with the least good stuff.
It's great too as there is plenty of parking - all the charity shops are in a pedestrianised area so I would have to lug stuff for miles.

9/9/0912:58 PM

figtreeMember

quote:
Originally posted by Tartanveggie:
I am glad I get charity bags through my door at least twice a week so I can put my things out at my door step and they get picked up because the one time I took bags to a charity shop I was met with the same attitude as you were Maz.

Mine is still there! 8 days!

9/9/092:11 PM

figtreeMember

quote:
Originally posted by Soozy woo:
I know it's annoying and they may appear to be ungrateful but .......they are simply volunteers doing an unpaid job. I shouldn't let it put you off donating in the future .......sometimes life just gets in the way ...........they're not really ungrateful - just a bit stressed out.

My thoughts too really..... LIFE... really can get in the way of peoples kindness.. it's the way it is really!

9/9/092:14 PM

Former Member

i have bought all the vintage tea pots in all of Southampton from charity shops

9/9/092:27 PM

NickyMember

I've had the same experience a couple of times -was made to feel like i was "putting" on them to take my stuff so now i use the freecycle group and just give it to the first person who turns up for it.

9/9/092:31 PM

Gabriel PennywiseMember

Volunteers can be a bit nutty.

9/9/096:58 PM

Yellow RoseMember

When I was in my 20's I had some spare time so offered it to Oxfam. I never saw or experienced anything the OP has experienced in the branch I was in but it must be a right let down if anyone experiences that.

I notice you love cats/animals - as do I

-if you feel disillusioned with other charity shops maybe you have a PDSA/RSPCA or similar animal charity shop you'd get a better response from.

In the end it's not really about who takes in what's donated but who receives the help at the other end

9/9/097:10 PM

Garage JoeMember

quote:
Originally posted by Daniel J*:
I reckon charidee shops are like churches: full of middle class people who want to be seen to be doing good for social reasons.

Mrs Joe likes to think of it as recycling.

9/10/093:20 AM

Little Miss SpursMember

9/10/095:30 AM

Ad-Free	Search Site	Start Dialogs
Upload Photos	Upload Videos	Upload Audio
Upload Documents	Use Signature	Block Members
View Member Directory	Mark All Topics As Read	Edit Posts Anytime
Post To Walls

Skip to main content

Topics

Add Reply

Membership Required

Remove From Your Block List

Manage Follow Preferences

Block

Premium Membership Required

VIP

Please wait...