Donating clothes

My dear best friend and fellow GNer had a bag full of donations taken from her step before the charity van arrived to pick it up, so that's another scam to be aware of.

I did once sort out a lot of things for an Age Concern charity collection when DMIL died. They didn't turn up and it rained heavily. I dried it all off and they agreed to collect it the next day and the same thing happened. Since then, we take our donations to the shops ourselves.

I never use the bags that come through the door, regardless of which charity they are from. I take to my chosen local & national charity shops, some of which specialize in Retro/Vintage stuff. (I also give them properly bagged copper coinage.)

I also take bags/boxes to the local charity shops, either the Heart Foundation or a local hospice. I never use the bags that come through the door as others have said they aren't trustworthy

On the whole I am able to donate clothes and stuff myself but a few years ago I specifically wanted to donate to the Cat Protection League of which I am a member. I had around 10 black bags, many were books but there were some clothes. Somebody came to see me after work and together we piled the bags into her car and they would be able to sell them at their next fair.

I too prefer to take items direct to the charity shop - I choose British Heart Foundation.

How much the charity get ...typo

Apart from scope who i think still collect from the doorstep on a prearranged day if you look at the small print on the bags there will usually be the name of a private company who promise to donate something to the charity. I dont use these as its unclear hos. Uch the charity bet, and usually take things direct ti the charity shop and often end up buying something there too.

Local Salvation Army used to take clothes to pass on to the needy.

DH takes ours to the local charity shop. I too am not sure about the bags that are posted through the door. To be honest I've never thought of ringing up for a collection - good idea!

I always phone the British Heart Foundation, who will come and collect the bags. They are always so grateful for all the donations and of course they are genuine.

www.bhf.org.uk/shop/donating-goods/free-collection-of-clothes-books-and-more

I'm never sure about these bags we get through the letterbox cosafina. Sometimes we get several in one week! I think the donations you make are simply weighed in for cash. Someone other than the charity is usually making money from it. I prefer to take good quality clothes to actual charity shops.