This is review concerning my visit to Wood Green's Charity Shop in St Ives
This is review concerning my visit to the WoodGreen charity shop in St Ives today.
I had sorted out a range of items. Everything I considered saleable was freshly washed and ironed. It included a range of clothes for all seasons, various new items like still-packaged ladies' socks, two children's coats (one faux leather) with tags on, an unused set o f mugs and three unused dogs' coats. I also sorted a small bag of clothing that would probably only be of any value as rags.
The assistant said no to the lot. Straight away - no discussion. Apparently, Wood Green does not want any pet items, only wants summer (not spring or autumn) coats, will not engage in any discussion except straightforward refusal. I got a lecture about the rags market, even though it was I who introduced the subject of the downturn in the rags market.
I worked for WoodGreen for ten years or so and for a while I ran a Charity Shop. I know first hand how soul-destroying it is to receive a donation of stuff that really belongs in the trash. That is why I sorted out a range of quality goods to donate. That is why I asked about the marketability of non-saleable rags.
My experience was humiliating and patronising. I may as well have gone into the shop with bags of used nappies and grease-daubed workwear.
I took my donations to the YMCA shop across the road and was greeted by a lovely volunteer who was happy to look through my donations and engage with me and accept everything but the rags (They are now in the textile recycling hopper at Bluntisham tip).
I think it highly unlikely that I will ever donate any items to a WoodGreen Charity Shop again. They would probably reject the Crown Jewels.
WoodGreen can do better: I worked for them; I got my dog from them; I supported them. A bit of tact and a few minutes looking through a bag (on a day that wasn't busy) would not have hurt.
B Frances








