Charity shop volunteers have revealed that a common habit among donors is driving up prices and harming stores. The warning comes after a Reddit thread saw current and former staff share their frustrations about the quality of donated goods.
One volunteer explained that their shop follows a general rule: 'if you wouldn't buy it, get rid'. This applies to quality and condition, not personal taste. They noted that poor-quality donations incur costs for disposal, which can lead to higher prices for better items.
Another contributor urged donors to ensure items are clean, undamaged, and fit for use. 'If you wouldn't give it to someone else to wear, don't donate it,' they said. Stained, ripped, or broken items should be disposed of responsibly rather than offloaded onto charity shops.
