Fashion

[KathyPet]

I agree with the poster who said that the things you donate to most thrift shops do not get on the shelves immediately. You went back a day later and expected them to be out??? I donate regularly to a hospice thrift shop and Everytime I bring something in to the drop off location the room is filled to the brim with items that have been donated that the volunteers who sort and label have not gotten to yet. 24 hour turn around from drop off to,display is asking for the virtually impossible.

[Cookie06]

I have just read all of the posts from you guys. I just thought it would be an interesting subject to see others points of view and maybe get information I did not know about or realize. It didn't get too nasty! lol I realize that no matter who buys these items the charities get the money from the sale and that is a good thing. I didn't really think about that, I just was thinking of the poor kids that "need" surprises at Christmas or whatever holiday or birthday. So all in all, no matter what happens to the items donated, somehow it will profit the charity. I did check around for charities that cater directly to children and they all stated they wanted "new" toys. I just did not have time to really do any research about some of the charities some of you suggested. I will continue to donate and know it will help someone, somewhere along the line.

PS Thank you to those of you that stood up for me. Merry Christmas

[HonnyBrown]

I was under the impression that Goodwill, as some have stated, sells items to anyone with money, and uses the money to help the misfortunate.

OP, your dolls did help the needy; and they also made a mother and son happy.

What's wrong with that?

[HonnyBrown]

On 12/22/2014 Trix said:

The only way to ensure that your donation of used merchandise will be used as you think it should be is to take care of that yourself. Not just poor people shop at resale stores. In this economy plenty of people who in the past did not shop resale do so, plus as previously mentioned there are the folks who make a career out of scavenging. There are plenty of professional scavengers (we used to call them junk collectors) out there, and places like Goodwill are key sources for their inventory. Today's scavengers have come along way from the television image of Fred Sanford.

Very true!

My parents are retired and very well off. My Mom has turned her hobby of shopping into a lucrative business.

She will buy new, high-end items from various thrift stores, estate sales and flea markets, and sell them at consignment shops.

She got a new (with tags) Chanel purse for $6. She held on to that one.

[Cookie06]

On 12/22/2014 In-x-s said:

I am not sure I understand the real issue other than that the items weren't put on the shelves immediately. This late in the season they may save them until next year. You knew they would be put out for sale not given to specific children or you wouldn't have gone in to look to see how they were priced. Anyone is able to go in and buy from their stores; not just the underprivileged. While I'm sure it's a blessing for someone to buy items who can't afford mall prices, the charity makes money from the sales be it from the rich or the poor who make the purchase.

If you read my post more carefully, this is absolutely not the issue.

[inallsincerity]

On 12/22/2014 Cookie06 said:

I have just read all of the posts from you guys. I just thought it would be an interesting subject to see others points of view and maybe get information I did not know about or realize. It didn't get too nasty! lol I realize that no matter who buys these items the charities get the money from the sale and that is a good thing. I didn't really think about that, I just was thinking of the poor kids that "need" surprises at Christmas or whatever holiday or birthday. So all in all, no matter what happens to the items donated, somehow it will profit the charity. I did check around for charities that cater directly to children and they all stated they wanted "new" toys. I just did not have time to really do any research about some of the charities some of you suggested. I will continue to donate and know it will help someone, somewhere along the line.

PS Thank you to those of you that stood up for me. Merry Christmas

Also, each year, "scotttie" posts about the shoe boxes that go to underprivileged children around the world. If you type "shoe box" in the community search on the left, you will find info and experiences about that charity.

[Miranda1550]

I live in Massachusetts, and the Salvation Army does not put the goods donated in the store where they are donated. They go to a different Salvation Army. Reason they do not want people who buy the clothes, to see the people who donated them. Maybe this applies to Goodwill as well.

[occasionalrain]

I'm wondering if St. Vinnie's put the dolls back to distribute them to children in the local Parrish themselves. If it were me, I'd contact whomever is in charge and ask. It could be that your dolls went exactly where you wanted them to go.

[Starpolisher]

On 12/22/2014 GoodStuff said:

On 12/22/2014 curlywhitedog said:

Cookie06:

My first impression was to say that once the goods left your hands you no longer exercised any control over how they were used but then I found myself thinking "hey, wait just a minute, it's not about supporting Good Will with donations that generate money, it's about providing people with an opportunity to buy things for themselves they might not necessarily be able to afford on the open market" so bah humbug to those who take advantage of the generosity of others to line their own pockets.

Maria

I strongly disagree. Although the needy certainly benefit from the low prices at thrift stores -- and that is part of the stores' mission -- nothing keeps others from shopping in these stores, and regardless of who buys, the charity benefits and is able to go forward with programs that provide job training, emergency funds in crisis situations, whatever their ministries are. These stores are open to all, and savvy, well-heeled shoppers (like me!) love to snag bargains there. There's plenty for everyone. I also donate freely and have a good relationship with the staff at my local St. Vincent de Paul and Goodwill, who are delighted to have all kinds of shoppers in their stores and rejoice with us higher-end shoppers when we come to the cash register with a choice find. It really is a win-win. It's lots of fun, too!

I"m Catholic. All my life I was taught The Society of St Vincent de Paul was a Catholic voluntary organization dedicated to the sanctification of its members through serving the poor and disadvantaged. Catholic volunteers who dedicate their time and resources to help those in need in their community. I realize others can join and also that anyone can buy from here(only one's own conscience can guide them here). However, to me it's like getting a free turkey when you CAN afford to buy one! I guess I just never thought about it before. I see it as taking away from the needy. Now if you're taking your own time and selling items for a profit and then donating the cash back so they can continue with their purpose...then you've done a good thing!

[LeaLeander]

On 12/22/2014 In-x-s said:

I am not sure I understand the real issue other than that the items weren't put on the shelves immediately. This late in the season they may save them until next year. You knew they would be put out for sale not given to specific children or you wouldn't have gone in to look to see how they were priced. Anyone is able to go in and buy from their stores; not just the underprivileged. While I'm sure it's a blessing for someone to buy items who can't afford mall prices, the charity makes money from the sales be it from the rich or the poor who make the purchase.

Exactly.

Many people shop at thrift stores seeking unusual or vintage items, or because they believe in "pre-cycling" -- buying used goods when possible so as not to encourage the production of more consumer items.

It's a bit unrealistic to expect your donations will go only to the sort of shopper you envision. These stores are in the business of making money from the merchandise, not in the business of doling it out to poor people.

As to the eBayers or other resellers -- so what? They got a bargain and now, by dint of their own effort in cleaning, listing, packaging and shipping the item, might make a small profit. Perhaps they are "needy" themselves and finding items they can resell is a boon to their livelihood. Why begrudge?