if you take items to charity shops,an appeal

I've always sorted anything I take to a charity shop - everything is washed and ironed and folded neatly. Most of it is almost new, things I bought and never wore or only wore once. I used to separate rags things I didn't think could be sold but after the first couple of drop offs was told no thanks, we can't cope with them (lack of staff, lack of space, whatever the reason). There aren't many charity shops left near us anymore. Two in one town, two in another. I used to buy furniture as well and upcycle it, especially tables and mirrors, chests of drawers for the bedrooms. One of the hospice shops I used to visit often now sells upcycled furniture and ornaments - all very nice but very little that I want. And quite expensive.

All the hand-knitted things I donate to charity are brand new, well finished and packed neatly. When they sell a single bed size blanket for £2 it's a bit disheartening. I would rather give them away than see them sold for so little.

I agree, nipsmum. I knit, but not for charity, as it is not cost-effective. I value my time, and people won't pay enough for hand-knitted items to cover the materials, never mind the work. I think there is an image problem, and people see 'home made' rather than hand made. I'd rather donate direct and knit for myself, or the few people I know who appreciate nice yarn and garments that fit them rather than a standard size template.

Re the 'first world' thing - that phrase comes into so many discussions, but the reality is that we are a first world country, and anyone wanting to make a profit (which is the role of a charity shop after all) has to work with that, rather than against it. Charity shops are all about people 'clearing the decks'. The alternative would be to buy things specially to donate, which would be ridiculous, or just to sort a direct debit and throw your old 'stuff' away. This would mean that others didn't have a chance to get a used item instead of an new one, and all the social benefits for staff and customers would be lost.

nipsmum

All the hand-knitted things I donate to charity are brand new, well finished and packed neatly. When they sell a single bed size blanket for £2 it's a bit disheartening. I would rather give them away than see them sold for so little.

Yes, I learnt my lesson when I made a blanket from squares for Oxfam, having read that they sell them at festivals. Now I know I’m not the most expert of knitters, but they hadn’t heard of the scheme at our local shop and said it would be ideal to put with the warm clothing they left out the back for homeless people.

I appreciate that someone may have benefitted from it, but it wasn’t in the way I expected!

I am quite old and spend quite a bit of time sitting down. Because I was taught when I was young not to waste time I can't sit and do nothing, so I knit. As long as what I knit ( I have been knitting since i was 8 and am now quite an experienced knitter) goes to someone who can use it , I am happy. Most of it now goes to Eastern Europe and poor countries through the world. I have found a company who will pick it up from my home and they have the facilities to get it to where it's needed. That's all I want. I don't want money, which is all most charities want. They would rather you donated money than your unwanted stuff to sell, it's too much trouble for them.

I don't think that charity knitters expect to be paid for what they knit, but it's not unreasonable to expect your work to contribute towards the item being sold at a reasonable price - your work is meant to add value, not take it away.

I knit a lot, and wouldn't mind doing it for charity, but not if the end result is that I have wasted my time and skill because the item sells for less than the cost of the yarn.

If charities only want donations, they may as well close their shops. That would mean that those who do want donations will get them all.

Our local Charity Shop is very popular, it may have something to do with the "No dogs allowed in shop - sorry" sign on the door, excluding guide dogs etc.,

Do people usually take their dogs into shops?

I have seven Charity shops in town, six of whom allow owners to bring their dogs into. the shop whilst they browse around.

There are shops for all sorts of things. . You get to know what your local ones specialise in, and can aim your donating and shopping to the right shops
I personally prefer slightly less upmarket ones as often good stuff in them still. I don't need tiny expensive clothes. The nearby market town has one in the carpark and it both gets loads of stuff and sells loads of stuff. A nearby one is a bit more upmarket and rarely has stuff I want, for some reason it doesn't get the really good stuff it's sister shop elsewhere does
Are freecycle/freegle/local free groups, loads of different things on offer, if you put a photo on you get no timewasters, if it's a vase. However small pop it on there if you want to give it away

Billybob4491

Our local Charity Shop is very popular, it may have something to do with the "No dogs allowed in shop - sorry" sign on the door, excluding guide dogs etc.,

Why would that make it popular, particularly for those with assistance dogs?

Because Maw some dogs drool and leave dog hair everywhere, including possibly on clothing hanging up, especially long skirts, dresses, trousers and coats.

Exactly right Jaxjacky, also not unknown for a dog to cock his leg up if he so wishes usually aiming at clothing - and guess who has to clean it up - not the owner - no, its the volunteer!

We are so lucky to have a community charity shop in the town close to where we are ( nigh on 10 miles but that is close by here) each local group or school gets the chance to rent the shop for a week, this means that you can always get rid of items you no longer need and the "stock" changes constantly.

Jaxjacky

Because Maw some dogs drool and leave dog hair everywhere, including possibly on clothing hanging up, especially long skirts, dresses, trousers and coats.

Apologies Jaxjacky - my bad. I misunderstood and thought guide dogs were excluded from the shops.
(TBH I’ve never seen a dog in a charity shop so I was surprised it was an issue.)

Maw we learn something new every day.