Charities

9 posts / 0 new

Topic locked

Thu, 2007-04-26 14:42

Charities

I'm becoming more and more disillusioned with charities. Apart from the aggressive tactics of the chuggers (and I know there is a case for them but I disagree) I just get the feeling 'charity' has become huge business. I have no objections to a charity operating on business principles... they have to but I find the 'spirit' of charity is difficult to see.

This latest rant is inspired by a a trip to my local charity shop book shopping. When I was growing up most of my books came from charity shops and you paid between 0.1 and 20% of the cover price. Today, the books are grossly overpriced: 20 - 40% of the price of an equivalent new book. There were a number of books I would have bought today but not at the prices they were asking. Bargain? For used seconds - definitely not. I understand this at a second hand book seller's shop where the staff and rent has to be paid but charities have volunteer staff and the rent and rates are heavily discounted.

I suppose one could argue, getting the best price for their charity is their duty but I can't imagine them shifting much stock. Poor people like me won't pay their prices and the rich people of Hampstead would probably buy new I reckon.

Having moaned so much I have to admit - there is a Salvation Army shop near me in Camberwell that has reasonably priced books but it takes hours to sift through all the crap!

rant over!

Thu, 2007-04-26 15:15

bobblehat2023

"Poor people like me won't pay their prices and the rich people of Hampstead would probably buy new I reckon." It was interesting a few years ago when we (ABC and hangers-on) moved offices from Kentish Town down the road to Camden. We noticed prices of books in Oxfam Camden we're miles more than in Oxfam Kentish Town. It was roughly along the lines of 79p - 99p for average paperbacks in Kentish Town and £2.75 - £3.50 for average paperbacks in Camden. This is curiousity regarding market forces more than anything, I reckon. Might come back with comments on the general nature of charity - because you do raise some interesting points - but I don't want to this post to get too long.

Thu, 2007-04-26 15:20

poetjude

It is definitely depends on the area. South and East London prices are generally cheaper than North and West. But when you donate to Oxfam, it goes to a sorting depot and all the designer labels and good books are sent to Notting Hill and Chelsea branches. So even though local creatives may donate good reads where I am, you won't see their books on the shelves. I will neither donate nor buy from Oxfam because of this policy . Better off with Hospice shops, and Salvation Army who sell items in the shops where they're donated. jude "Cacoethes scribendi" http://www.judesworld.net

Thu, 2007-04-26 17:08

bobblehat2023

On the general point about charities becoming big business, though, I suppose the problem is that the amount of stuff that charities are expected to do - or that people think need doing - exceeds the amount of stuff that can funded by traditional bucket shaking and sponsored swims. The 'spirit' of charity thing probably depends what you mean by charity. This: http://www.communitycare.co.uk/Articles/2007/04/12/104121/nick-seddons-n... is interesting. I disagree with most of this guy's answers to the current situation but I think he's asking some important questions.

Thu, 2007-04-26 18:16

Enzo v2.0

I work for a big charity, so I'm going to throw my opinion in here. The charity sector, particularly the advice sector, is becoming a very competitive market. Corporates are increasing their involvement (Tesco Law, anyone?) and funding is being squeezed from all sides due to an increase in the size of the voluntary sector. Statutory funding is affected by a host of factors (PSA targets, zero-based review, etc) and trusts / foundations are spreading their money ever more thinly across more organisations. And the issues with getting money from the public are well known. Within charities, the amount of high-calibre business-minded types are still the minority. Remember, charities don't pay the salaries that the private sector pays. I for one could double my salary elsewhere - but don't be fooled, it's not all altruistic: I stay for the good hours, holidays, atmosphere, interesting work and relaxed dress policy. But management is the key. I mean, look at this: http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2062896,00.html Anyway, the NCVO almanac is interesting: http://www.ncvo-vol.org.uk/research/index.asp?id=2380 Enzo.. Buy my book! http://www.amazon.co.uk/o/ASIN/1846855187/

Thu, 2007-04-26 20:32

Yan2

hmmm..well I got a book from charity shop for £1.99 t'other day...£5.99 was the lowest seconds price on amazon... When the power of love overcomes the love of power, we'll find peace. - Jimi Hendrix

~It's a maze for rats to try, it's a race for rats to die.~

Thu, 2007-04-26 20:50

Enzo v2.0

Oh yeah, meant to mention I got a wonderful old hardback copy of the BFG for £2.95 from a charity shop recently and was well chuffed. Enzo.. Buy my book! http://www.amazon.co.uk/o/ASIN/1846855187/

Thu, 2007-04-26 21:19

maddan

I recently purchased 'The New Illustrated Universal Reference Book' for the grand sum of one pound in a charity shop - I now have no further need of my many other more expensive reference books.

Fri, 2007-04-27 18:17

pepsoid

Libraries are the cheapest placest to get books... :) Generally speaking, tho', I am in agreeance with Jude... I am of the feeling that charity shops do (or should) serve a dual purpose - raising money for the charity in question (obviously) and providing cheap 2nd hand goods for the less well off personages of the local area... and books, being the wonderful things that they are, should be made as available as pos to all members of society - including those, of "no fixed abode," who, I imagine, are unable to get a library card. pe ps oid ... What is "The Art of Tea"? ... (www.pepsoid.wordpress.com)

The All New Pepsoid the Second!

Topic locked