What sort of stuff will a charity shop take thesedays?

[Colin63]

I managed a charity shop for many years, so here's the best advice I can give. For electrical stuff phone up and ask as some shops do have the resources to check them, but if they can't they'll have to pay for the disposal. Clothing I'd give in whatever condition as the fabric can be recycled (Oxfam have their own recycling plant for unsellable clothes called Wastesaver in Huddersfield which makes a lot of money). Specialist clothing such as cycling kit should be bagged separately with a note suggesting that they could get good prices, often the sorters don't have the knowledge to make that judgement if they're unfamiliar with sports kit. i remember once donating a pair of Sidi shoes to my own shop and the volunteers priced them at £3.99, I repriced them at £30 and we got a sale immediately. Bric a brac items should always be in excellent condition otherwise they are useless and time wasting for the shop. Most of the weekly rubbish we threw out was unsellable bric a brac. Again with specialised items it's appreciated if you can label it so that the shop workers know that they may have something of value. Books too need to be in good nick or they'll end up in the bin.

When you take your stuff in it's worth telling the staff of anything of interest. They'll appreciate the help (but don't get out each individual item to show them at the cash desk, that'll drive them nuts )

[Anura]

I enjoy charity shops. I find it more exciting finding something there than going to a normal shop, although I do sometimes. I'm retired now so it all helps but I still used to go to them when I was earning good pennies.

I know someone who cycles who is always looking around our local charity shop. I think cycling clothing so long as it is in good condition, would sell.

There are certain charities that do have trained staff who check electrical goods.

I personally wouldn't use the term 'dump in a charity shop', as has been said above, they have to sell stuff of reasonable condition and have to pay to dispose of unusable items.

[Redvee]

I use them for books, having a browse at the selection they have available for 50p usually and read tyhem a couple of times over a year or 2 then Amazon marketplace them

[eileithyia]

hmmm so you attempt to get a profit back on the books bought at a charity shop rather than return them so the shop can re-sell them?

[downfader]

hmmm so you attempt to get a profit back on the books bought at a charity shop rather than return them so the shop can re-sell them?

I know someone who does that with clothes and CDs. She puts them on ebay after she's bored with them. She also bought a load of clothes in M&S in a sale, decided she didnt like them about 2 weeks later and stuck that on ebay. Made about 3 times the money.

[E.C.Ryder]

I work in a charity shop, good electrical stuff we send back to our warehouse to be checked before re selling. Clothing that`s is unfit to wear is sold on as rags, so too are books that are damage in anyway. Bric brac that is damage is straight into our rubbish bin along with videos!
I have found over the past two years of working here, Carradice saddlebag, a brand new Brooks saddle, two brand new Ron Hill tops and I`ve lost count of the number of cycle lamps. Also get a lot of Hemlets but we can`t sell these so they go in the rubbish bin.

[galavanter]

I was talking to an avid Charity shop fan who for years enjoyed all the bargains to be had but has now found that it is almost as cheapto buy new at major chainstores ,so perhaps the idea of a charity shop may falter. I hope not as I have had so many good books from them Not to mention 46 dvds of Stargate, Ok I know Im delving into the realms of fantasy again Jaffa cree