Bad Exmouth charity shop experience

By intheknow2009 | Thursday, September 30, 2010, 12:02

I recently went to a charity shop in town and dropped off a nice quality coat in good condition.

After handing over the garment to a woman behind the counter and heading outside I overheard her say to a colleague something along the lines of “Has she gone yet? I’m going to try this on”.

Very annoyed, I went back and told them that it was to be sold on the shop floor for charity and NOT FOR THEM! They looked a little sheepish and didn’t say too much.

Does this sort of thing go on a lot? Has anyone had similar experiences?

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Comments

judging by the prices in Charity Shops it would proberly be cheaper to go on line and by new

By John Gilbert (Utility Warehouse Discount Club) at 18:51 on 07/10/10
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I visit Exmouth once a year at least, usually to attend the Exmouth Grammar School reunion event. My wife declines to come with me partly because the charity shops are so expensive! She is aware of the practice reported by intheknow2009 that also goes on in Whitley Bay. Prices are set by the staff in the shops so it is not surprising if something of good quality is marked down to a lower price that would be offered to customers.

In general, prices for goods in Exmouth/Exeter are significantly higher than in the NE of England and I would like to hear from anyone in the Exmouth area as to why this is. An example is a small 'cornish' pasty bought from a chain of shops specialising in them cost £1.30. It was of poor quality and probably contained 'steak' recovered off the bone and had liitle flavour. Compare this with that obtainable from a local baker in Whitley Bay which used fresh meat from a local and popular butcher and are made fresh each morning for £1.08 each. My elderly aunt who passed away last year was a cook born in Cornwall and had a joke - "What's the best thing in a cornish pasty?" Answer - "Your teeth!" This dos not apply to the Exmouth/Exeter version that I bought.

By Robin_Smith at 11:18 on 07/10/10
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Oh, I don't mean that they should just have first choice and then only put the rest of the stuff on sale, as charity shops need quality items in their windows to attract passers-by. I think I'm just trying to say that if she/he actually paid full price for it, then does it actually do any harm. I agree that the motivation isn't right though. I'd love to know which shop this was actually in now, as I do donate a lot of clothes to local charity shops and you're right, I would prefer to think that customers are getting to see the clothes. Perhaps there should be a rule that all items should be on sale for 24 hours before a shop worker can buy them? Ultimately, as long as the money is raised, that's the most important thing.

By CoastalMummy at 18:01 on 05/10/10
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I'm afraid I disagree. I for one would expect a bit more integrity from a charity shop worker and am sad to think this sort of thing goes on.

By villagematter at 17:06 on 05/10/10
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I just do not see what the problem is with this - I mean, thecriddler is right - if they paid the required price, then what's the problem? I suppose the issue is, did the same person decide what the price would be and set it at a lower price than they would have put it on the shop floor for?

By CoastalMummy at 16:50 on 05/10/10
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