A woman who regularly spends between £150 and £300 every month in charity shops has spoken out about a checkout habit that left her feeling guilty, igniting a debate about whether such requests are appropriate. Amy, who posts on TikTok as @allsortsamy, said she visits charity shops in Bury, Greater Manchester, every single week, buying items for herself and to resell.
Round-Up Request Sparks Guilt
Amy recounted an incident where she picked up two dresses—one priced at £14.99 and another at £8.99—and headed to the till. The staff member asked: “That’s £23.98. Can I add the extra two pence and round it up to £24?” Amy said no, but immediately felt guilty. “I know they’ve probably got a directive to ask that question every single time,” she said, adding that she would prefer items to be priced at round figures like £15 and £9 rather than being asked for extra at the till.
Social Media Reactions
The video sparked mixed reactions. One commenter criticized Amy: “I always round it up myself and tell them to keep the small change. Regardless of anything else, including how much you spend, it's for charity, and let's face it, as you resell stuff YOU make a profit out of goods donated for free, you're missing the point entirely.” Others defended her, with one writing: “Nope. Can you imagine donating money to charity and saying here's x amount and they ask you for more?” Another added: “No, it's entirely your choice. I don't like it when I am paying at the self-service till, and it asks me if I want to make a donation. I already donate to charities of my choice, and some people are really struggling, so they plan their spending very carefully.”
Charity Shop Economics
According to the Charity Retail Association, money spent in charity shops first covers operating costs such as rent, utilities, and paid management salaries. Any remaining net profit is then passed directly to the charity’s core cause, whether that’s funding medical research, social care, or international aid. Amy argued that the round-up request overlooks the significant sums she already contributes. “I know it was only two pence, but there's just something about it when they ask for more money. And like I say, I'm somebody who gives hundreds of pounds a month to charity shops,” she concluded.
