A charity shop worker has shared the one thing that keeps customers coming back through the doors time and time again – and it’s down to more than just the items they have on sale
A charity shop worker has shared the main reason customers keep coming back to her store, and it’s not just for the items it sells. The employee, who works at a Goodwill store, explained how she has experience both on the shop floor and in the production area, where donated items are accepted, processed and priced.
Taking to Reddit, she said: “My coworkers are a terrific group of people. We come from many different backgrounds, and while there are occasional conflicts, in general everyone is extremely supportive of each other and quick to lend a hand.” But while her store runs like a well-oiled machine, she says she can’t help but notice the number of complaints she sees online about charity shops.
She said: “There are a lot of complaints about prices in this subreddit. In my opinion the prices in my region, and at my store in particular, are extremely fair.
“My coworkers put a lot of effort into keeping prices as consistent as possible. It’s their job, they take it seriously, and they do it well.
“Almost all of the items priced by my coworkers use predetermined price points. Some obviously valuable items are priced higher or sold online, usually with the approval of a manager.”
She claims shoppers can walk into her store with just a few notes and still put together an entire outfit to suit their budget.
Not only that, but she says customers will also come across “lots of great toys, books, tested electronics, housewares and decorations for really good deals.”
However, she believes it’s the store’s honesty that keeps customers returning time and time again.
She added: “We have regular customers, including many resellers. They love our store. The odd time a customer disputes a price, our managers always handle it fairly and prices are corrected if necessary.”
Praising her colleagues, she continued: “It is far more likely for one of my coworkers to notice a mistakenly overpriced item and get it corrected, because that is how diligent they are.
“Goodwill’s mission is about employment, not low prices. My store employs people who receive benefits and have access to training. We help people. We also have great prices.
“My coworkers are amazing. They take their jobs seriously and work very hard to sell items that people will want, for reasonable and consistent prices. I’m proud to be a part of this team.”
Commenting on her post, one user said: “Best job I ever had. Not for everyone, but I’ve seen the work we do and the people we help through our work. Wish more people cared to find out more. But Goodwill has been around for like 100 years. Every organisation that old has pissed some people off along the way.”
Another user added: “I’d like to share a little positivity. I’ve only recently started hitting the Goodwills out of need to supply things we can use by getting them second-hand.
“I do love talking to a specific worker that has taken ownership of the media section, particularly the books. She owns it and is like a mini librarian for those four square feet of shelving space. She’s a breath of fresh air.”
