Comments on: What's the deal with these thrift store primadonnas?

By: In Tears, | Magik Quilter

In Tears, | Magik Quilter — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 14:18:38 +0000

[...] wanted me to forgive them as I tried to do after the way they turned their backs on me in the store after the previous incident. So I guess you can you see why I was a little bit [...]

By: Sheer Abundance, | Magik Quilter

Sheer Abundance, | Magik Quilter — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:14:57 +0000

[...] the charity shop at the end of my road recently after about eight months of not going in there since “the incident ” earlier this year. It was difficult going in as the staff were quite upset and hostile whenever I [...]

By: Friday Finds Storage | Magik Quilter

Friday Finds Storage | Magik Quilter — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 12:51:18 +0000

[You would have to have read the blog post to understand what happened earlier this year.] Suffice to say that I did not go back into that shop until last week…that is over six months [...]

By: Sparkly Thursday | Magik Quilter

Sparkly Thursday | Magik Quilter — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:48:04 +0000

[...] away some of the smaller and slightly damaged items….remember back in February when I had the run in with them about throwing away donations? Here is a closer look at that glorious [...]

By: Bruce

Bruce — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:04:13 +0000

Good for you for speaking up tis a rare thing nowadays it seems.
By the way, enjoyed your Flickrstream, I’m a fan of quilts myself.

Thanks Bruce! I have also saved myself heaps of money in the process by not going into that shop again. I am concerned about what is being thrown away but I can’t exactly go and rifle through their rubbish bins can I? Better not give myself new ways to make life more difficult!

Thanks for the compliment…I like non female admiration of my quilts! My son has a really good eye for colour and my husband never lets a harmless old rickety quilter get in between himself and a fat quarter for me!

By: Gayle

Gayle — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:44:01 +0000

I do think it is a good idea to recycle and it is amazing to see just what people can do with these kind of items.

I am with you there and think we should especially try to reclaim damaged goods that have so much handiwork in them. I had never seen carving cloths before and this sack of throw away goods had two in them…complete with embroidered carving knife and fork!

By: Magik Quilter

Magik Quilter — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:47:20 +0000

Thanks Kate and Sunnie for your support. I had explained to them that crafters would buy bags of scraps but had to be so careful as the paid staff were so moody. I have not been back and found a place where customers and donations appear to be valued and they had the cutest little bags of scraps and laces etc…if you are ever over this way Kate I will take you there and apprentice you in the dark arts!!! It is actually great fun and as to not shopping as there are so many poor people, that has changed in that you are helping the truly poor by buying these things as the money goes into hostels etc. I think that as long as you also donate frequently it is fine morally to shop in these places, and maybe set yourself a limit each month so that you are allowing others to find bargains too. Personally if I find something has not sold in a week I will buy it with a clear conscience.
Maybe when we go to the SCQuilters some time Kate.

By: Sunnie-oldcrowfarm

Sunnie-oldcrowfarm — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 16:59:20 +0000

I am surprised to hear that charity shops are “giving away” donated items!!!! You certainly were right to speak up! : ) Isn’t the idea to make money for the charity?

Why couldn’t they put several linens, crochet items, etc in one bag for a nice price and tell their customers to let quilters or fabric artists know that they have those items there at their shop.

Just like wool items that might not be “salable”…out of style, etc. could be priced and offered to those working with wool applique, rug hooking, etc. and who would appreciate the items and use them in beautiful creations!!

To embarrass someone giving a donation to a charity is really unkind. You would think that the charity would accept the donations with thanks, and then put a nice low price on them.

If they kept a list of people who wanted certain things, they could give those people a call and tell them that certain items have come in. (But they still should charge at least a modest price for the items)

I’m really glad you spoke up!!!
Hugs to you, Sunnie : )

By: Kate

Kate — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 08:08:18 +0000

Good on you for following through. So often I have heard complaints from charities about “rubbish” that is donated, but I feel people donate what they can, not necessarily to the personal preferences of the store manager. Unforgivable to humiliate someone in front of others, particularly when you are working in a “community service” industry.