10 things you'll only understand if you work in a charity shop
I have worked in a charity shop for almost two years now. Initially, I thought it was going to be a very dull job. How wrong was I!!! From the people you meet to the things that get donated, let me tell you all about working in a charity shop...
1) You will meet such an interesting variety of people.
From the diverse range of volunteers, including people who are elderly with free time to those who are just 14/15/16 and working for their D of E award, to the huge range of customers you see every day- everyone has their own story and you hear some crazy things. It's a very unique experience compared to other retail jobs I have had!
2) The things people donate will never fail to surprise you.
From Louis Vuitton bags (new with tags!) to used sanitary items and even sex toys, no day in a charity shop is the same...one man's trash is another man's treasure after all!
3) People will want refunds...even though the money they spend/spent goes to charity. You know, helping people.
"Hi, can I refund this 50p toy car?" "...Why?" "Oh, my son's bored of it now!" But of course, if it has the tags and the receipt, you have to comply...because the customer is always right, even if their morals are wrong.
4) People will barter prices with you...even though the money is for charity.
"What do you mean I can't have this £1.00 vase for 25p?" Well, where else in the world would you get a vase for 25p? Please tell me.
5) Your shop will be treated like a tip.
"I'm just going to donate this used colouring book, some bits of tree from my back garden and a few receipts. Aren't I such a good human being, helping others!" Yes...we will all benefit from your bits of tree. Thank you.
6) Customers will forget how a charity shop works.
"Do you have more of this book in stock?" Why yes, we have a whole range of that book, because somebody donated 150 of them at the same time, instead of the usual, you know, one copy. Let me go and look in the stock room...
Oh. Wait.
7) Whilst some donations may be absolutely awful, you will find some real gems.
Literally, real gems. As well as BNWT clothes from Topshop, River Island, designer handbags, brilliant antiques and sometimes, even the odd tenner somebody left in their jacket pocket.
8) No two days are the same.
New stock comes every single day, and you can never predict what it's going to be. There are also new customers every day, new donors, new volunteers. It is an ever changing industry.
9) You will come to loath retail prices and refuse to shop anywhere but charity shops.
"HOW much for that dress?! It would be £3.00 in the charity shop!"...your friend's will come to hate you, but at least you'll have more cash to spend.
10) You become a pro at pricing anything and everything.
Be it antiques, clothes, baby toys or limited edition items, you become an absolute pro at pricing it in less than 5 seconds. What a skill.
Do you work in a charity shop? What have you learnt from your job? Let me know in the comments below!
Love from,
Florence Grace
1) You will meet such an interesting variety of people.
From the diverse range of volunteers, including people who are elderly with free time to those who are just 14/15/16 and working for their D of E award, to the huge range of customers you see every day- everyone has their own story and you hear some crazy things. It's a very unique experience compared to other retail jobs I have had!
2) The things people donate will never fail to surprise you.
From Louis Vuitton bags (new with tags!) to used sanitary items and even sex toys, no day in a charity shop is the same...one man's trash is another man's treasure after all!
3) People will want refunds...even though the money they spend/spent goes to charity. You know, helping people.
"Hi, can I refund this 50p toy car?" "...Why?" "Oh, my son's bored of it now!" But of course, if it has the tags and the receipt, you have to comply...because the customer is always right, even if their morals are wrong.
4) People will barter prices with you...even though the money is for charity.
"What do you mean I can't have this £1.00 vase for 25p?" Well, where else in the world would you get a vase for 25p? Please tell me.
5) Your shop will be treated like a tip.
"I'm just going to donate this used colouring book, some bits of tree from my back garden and a few receipts. Aren't I such a good human being, helping others!" Yes...we will all benefit from your bits of tree. Thank you.
6) Customers will forget how a charity shop works.
"Do you have more of this book in stock?" Why yes, we have a whole range of that book, because somebody donated 150 of them at the same time, instead of the usual, you know, one copy. Let me go and look in the stock room...
Oh. Wait.
7) Whilst some donations may be absolutely awful, you will find some real gems.
Literally, real gems. As well as BNWT clothes from Topshop, River Island, designer handbags, brilliant antiques and sometimes, even the odd tenner somebody left in their jacket pocket.
8) No two days are the same.
New stock comes every single day, and you can never predict what it's going to be. There are also new customers every day, new donors, new volunteers. It is an ever changing industry.
9) You will come to loath retail prices and refuse to shop anywhere but charity shops.
"HOW much for that dress?! It would be £3.00 in the charity shop!"...your friend's will come to hate you, but at least you'll have more cash to spend.
10) You become a pro at pricing anything and everything.
Be it antiques, clothes, baby toys or limited edition items, you become an absolute pro at pricing it in less than 5 seconds. What a skill.
Do you work in a charity shop? What have you learnt from your job? Let me know in the comments below!
Love from,
Florence Grace
Loved this post Flo! It had everything in it! It is so funny the way some people act when they are buying in a charity shop! My word,the prices are cheap enough without any haggling lol! And the "toys" donated lol! Sounds like a very interesting place to work! Really enjoyed it xx
ReplyDeleteHaha thank you, Hollie! Yes, you would not believe some of the things I have seen donated!! I'm so glad you enjoyed this post! :) xx
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteI love this! I worked in the ZSL gift shop and the money all went to ZSL charity, it's surprising what people are like!!
ReplyDeleteKirsty Leanne xx
www.justalittlebitginger.com
Thank you haha!! It really never fails to amaze me! xx
Delete