A charity shop worker has explained why your donations may sometimes be declined, and it is not because staff are rude or ungrateful for your efforts. Stacey, who works in a charity shop and shares thrifting content on TikTok as @queenofpreloved, addressed common misconceptions after seeing a sign outside a shop reading 'no more donations'.
Why Donations Are Turned Away
Stacey explained that the assumption is often that the shop is not moving stock due to high prices, but she said it is 'not that black and white'. She revealed that her shop is fortunate to have many dedicated volunteers who help process donations efficiently. However, without a strong volunteer base, it becomes unmanageable to sort, label, steam, and display items while also running the shop floor and handling transactions.
'So the reason sometimes that they can't take your donation is they simply don't have the volunteers, and maybe they don't have the room,' she clarified.
Pricing and Stock Challenges
Stacey acknowledged that some charity shops set high prices, which can lead to stagnant stock, but she emphasised this 'is not always down to the staff'. Some shops have target sheets for brands and must price accordingly, which is out of staff control. In contrast, her shop prices according to what they think is fair for their demographic.
She noted that they know what 'people are willing to pay' locally and their 'turnover is great'. However, staff and volunteers must sift through a lot of items, with many needing to be discarded due to stains, dirt, or rips. Dirty bedding is frequently donated and takes up space, sometimes forcing them to turn away quality donations.
Fast Fashion Impact
Stacey also highlighted the impact of fast fashion, saying cheap items from retailers like Shein often end up in 50p bins or unsold. 'The fast fashion has a lot to answer for,' she said.
In the comments, a fellow charity shop manager thanked Stacey for the video, noting that most people have no idea of the sheer volume of work involved. They explained that about 60 per cent of donations are unsellable and take time to sort. Another volunteer added that with limited staff, they struggle to keep up, and half of donations end up as rags or in the bin.
