Charity shops and their prices

But are supermarkets there to serve the local community they exist in ? Do they charge less in a town of high unemployment then in an affluent area? Charity shops are there to make money for their charity not to aid their community surely ? I really do not understand why they are expected to extend charity to all before the charity they work for

That's true ab, they are there to make money for the charity. But in less wealthy areas, I think they should also serve the local community they exist in. And they usually do.

I am not upset Jalima. Yes they could match the pound shops and sell everything for a pound but they have such competition and they need money , so can they really be criticised for trying to get as much as they can? Those on the shop floor are not responsible for the salaries paid to those at the top . I don't expect agreement , just stating my opinion of these shops , we all have choices , I choose to buy from these shops before looking in other shops, if I were to see a top for a pound more in a charity shop than new in a store I will buy from the charity shop .

Sorry, didn't mean to upset you, anniebach, I just wanted to point out that your post about not helping people with illnesses or disabilities isn't what I was saying.

A pound coin, is it so important? Well, I think it is to someone whose weekly pocket money is perhaps only £2. All I was trying to say was that they would probably sell more books at a cheaper price therefore make more profit.
People who are watching the pennies carefully may think twice about buying a second-hand top for £5 when they can go to Primark or similar and buy a new one for less.

DGS bought some toys in a charity shop supporting a small local charity when he was staying over here; now he's gone home they have gone back to another charity shop near me, so have been recycled.
I don't think we are forgetting it; am in the process of sorting out loads more stuff again to take but must stop myself looking at the china when I go there

Charities shops are there to make money for charities , this seems forgotten .

I went into a Oxfam shop in Bicester , to see if I could get a stand for putting cups on £2.50p , as I have a load of books I want to get rid of Oxfam offer Nectar points for anything you give.
Mick

Scope yesterday had signs saying 'Everything 3 for 2' and 'Cheapest Item Free'. I chose 3 children's books and a hardback of Victoria Hislop's short stories, all in pristine condition, and was charged £1. The earlier poster's DGD can still get the fun of choosing books with her £1 pocket money there!
Other people were asking the staff whether the clothes were really 3 for 2 and finding some real bargains.

Local charity shop had loads of strange diktats from HO. Only I item in window which used to have lovely displays by a retired professional window-dresser. One dress on a model, no shoes, bag or even large vase allowed Sotheby's window always looked unfinished. Door had to be open at all times to be welcoming, whatever the weather or season. Shivering manager huddled under overhead heater. Changes of personnel at HO and diktats no longer applied !
Unless there was an actual mistake in pricing or unnoticed flaw in the merchandise no offers were considered. It was politely pointed out that the money went to a hospice for terminally ill local people. Tbh haggling was regarded as odd and rude. Most customers don't haggle in Tesco or the Post Office either, I wonder why!

Charity shops are in the business of making money for charities and have got very slick at doing so. I wonder why there has been no movement to set up community thrift shops.

It was not an accusation it was a question. But you are saying here what you would not say to a child and what is the difference? The child cannot hear you? I don't believe anyone here would say it to a child's face but doesn't change the fact it seems acceptable to say it where the child doesn't hear surely ? A pound coin , is it so important ?

No, that is not what I am saying at all (don't know why I am bothering to respond to such an accusation really)

What I am saying is that if charity shops are charging £2 for a children's book which has been donated to a shop probably staffed by volunteers then they are charging too much. They will gain more by charging less and selling more. It's called marketing.
And I would ask that question of the Chief Executives and other highly paid staff on top expenses if they feel comfortable taking that much out of the money raised by well-meaning people for a cure for your mother's breast cancer, your kidney failure, your sisters anorexia, your brothers broken spine, your grannies dementia?

I certainly would not ask that question of a child of 8.

would you all be comfortable telling a child - I wouldn't spend two pounds on a book when it is only worth one pound even though it may help towards a cure for your mother's breast cancer, your kidney failure, your sisters anorexia, your brothers broken spine, your grannies dementia ? I wouldn't and for me this is what you are saying but not directly to those who need that two pounds

Children should be charged less than grownups. (Especially as their used books are likely to be a bit grubby!)

Yes. It does seem a lot for a child's paperback. I agree.

Exactly, Jalima.

And children do get plenty of encouragement these days to help those less fortunate than themselves; they are aware of Children in Need, Red Nose Day, the Poppy Appeal, sponsored walks etc etc and eagerly participate and collect money for charities.

Well, I agree with anniebach in principle, but think that £2 for a children's paperback is too much, and doesn't encourage younger people to spend their money there.

It's like spending your whole week's money after bills on one item. £2 is a lot for an 8 year old (or perhaps not, perhaps I am out of touch, although I think DGD only gets about that, she is 7).

I totally agree with Anniebach.

too many

I agree - £2 is far too much to pay for a used paperback and at least Sillylily and her GD are supporting their local library, far to many of which are being lost.

and I have never seen a Moorcroft vase in a charity shop, only in the local antique shop. It was still quite a bargain at £40 but I didn't have that much money to spare.
I still think about it, though.

OH!! Just googled it - estimate in 2010 £300-400

and if £2 is a whole week's pocket money ... the child also has to learn how to get the best value from it.

I think £2 for a used paperback is too much, particularly as some supermarkets sell them so cheaply.

I think it would be better to sell 20 books in a day for £1 each (or even 50p) than have them languishing on the shelves for weeks because customers thought twice about paying £2 for a used book.

Sillylily, is it not good for a child to know their money is going to help people and saving a pound is of less importance

I totally agree Petra. Charities with CEO's making 6 figure salaries make me want to puke. My husband & I ran an animal rescue for over 25 years,and we never asked for a penny - my husband worked to pay the feed and vet bills. There are loads of small charities who spend the money from donations directly on their cause and give their time free. And there are larger ones too, like Soi Dog Foundation, IFAW or Medicines Sans Frontiers who really do a great job - but the Red Cross, or RSPCA and SSPCA and the like will not get a penny from me. They are greedy. And the old ethos of charity shops benefiting the poorer in our society as well as their cause seems long gone: our local Red Cross shop asks more for a tired looking 2nd hand blouse than Tesco or Asda would sell it for new. Plus, I have an acquaintance who volunteers at the Red Cross shop, and the things they simply throw out which have been donated, is positively sinful.