It’s been a stressful week but constructive. Last weekend we had some video games stolen, on Monday a police offer entered the shop with a brown paper bag full of video games with our stickers and gift aid references on them. So we were able to immediately identify them!
We matched them up to our records and we had no record of this sale which became evidence the police could use to charge the offender.
People still find it so hard to believe people shoplift from a charity shop!
On a more light-hearted topic we have experienced a couple of really busy weeks in the shop, some nice donations brought in and people seem happy to spend!
Lots of new customers and younger people are coming in who I’m finding are buying more than they used to – probably because we are offering affordable fashion which can be mixed and matched with high streets purchases.
The shop attracts a diverse range of customers, students with a limited budget buying in bulk, small clothes businesses such as vintage shops stocking up with our selections and the more established customer with probably more disposable income who finds charity shop retailing quite a novel and addictive pursuit.
We welcome all into the shop and hope they continue to support the charity, not only with their donations but also their custom.
Showing posts with label 2013. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2013. Show all posts
Thursday, 4 July 2013
Monday, 24 June 2013
Love Donor
I promised you a love story and you shall have one. Not a mills and boon but more of an unexpected twist, a chance event....fate.
It is a sweet story in fact, a story that proves it’s never too late to find love.
A few years ago a gentleman of a mature age became a regular afternoon customer: a tall man, educated and a well of random information of stories and adventures. Anything you want to know he knows it, anything you want to do he's done it, anywhere you want to go he's going.
He would stand for a good hour or so while the shop evolved around him, he would start a conversation, you could walk away and come back and it would still be in progress which made for a very friendly and approachable man.
His time spent in the shop resulted in him taking a volunteer post. I figured he would be great for customer service and he has since proved invaluable.
The story goes on that in the meantime it also struck me he was a bit of ladies man and women seemed to enjoy this harmless banter. One lady in particular, another one of our volunteers, a very sophisticated and classy lady. He would pop his head through the door on a Friday afternoon when he knew she would be working and say hello, she would glance away, coy all the while enjoying the attention.Time went by until one late afternoon he stood in the doorway with a bunch of flowers, I think they were a mixed spray but still rather lovely and fragrant. He presented her with the flowers accompanied with this usual cheeky grin and asked her out for a drink, she took no time in deciding and said yes immediately. The following day she came into work very happy and like a school girl after her first date and said he had been a gentleman.
Now they work together as a team two days a week, front of house helping customers, signing people up to gift aid, keeping the shop tidy, greeting customers and doing displays.
They are a real pleasure to work with, they really do make a difference to the shop! One thing I like to see is when they leave work I sometimes go outside and catch them walking down the street hand in hand and I’m so happy the shop helped two people find each other. It proves no matter your age or where you might find it, love is only around the corner!
Or in a shop for that matter!
You never know what you might find in a charity shop...
It is a sweet story in fact, a story that proves it’s never too late to find love.
A few years ago a gentleman of a mature age became a regular afternoon customer: a tall man, educated and a well of random information of stories and adventures. Anything you want to know he knows it, anything you want to do he's done it, anywhere you want to go he's going.
He would stand for a good hour or so while the shop evolved around him, he would start a conversation, you could walk away and come back and it would still be in progress which made for a very friendly and approachable man.
His time spent in the shop resulted in him taking a volunteer post. I figured he would be great for customer service and he has since proved invaluable.
The story goes on that in the meantime it also struck me he was a bit of ladies man and women seemed to enjoy this harmless banter. One lady in particular, another one of our volunteers, a very sophisticated and classy lady. He would pop his head through the door on a Friday afternoon when he knew she would be working and say hello, she would glance away, coy all the while enjoying the attention.Time went by until one late afternoon he stood in the doorway with a bunch of flowers, I think they were a mixed spray but still rather lovely and fragrant. He presented her with the flowers accompanied with this usual cheeky grin and asked her out for a drink, she took no time in deciding and said yes immediately. The following day she came into work very happy and like a school girl after her first date and said he had been a gentleman.
Now they work together as a team two days a week, front of house helping customers, signing people up to gift aid, keeping the shop tidy, greeting customers and doing displays.
They are a real pleasure to work with, they really do make a difference to the shop! One thing I like to see is when they leave work I sometimes go outside and catch them walking down the street hand in hand and I’m so happy the shop helped two people find each other. It proves no matter your age or where you might find it, love is only around the corner!
Or in a shop for that matter!
You never know what you might find in a charity shop...
Wednesday, 19 June 2013
World Autism Awareness Day 2013 Reprise
One thing I noticed this year which I have never noticed before and probably something to do with the “world” part of things is everyone is getting in on the act, celebrities spreading the word on Twitter, high profile people that have family and children with Autism are increasing awareness.
When I first started working for Autism Plus the charity was known, but mainly to families directly connected to Autism and the difference now is that everyone has heard of Autism and wants to learn more, I suppose you could say it’s gone global!
I am happy to announce we now sell funky pin badges in the shops and on Ebay to promote Autism Plus, pin one on to your Barbour jacket - it really adds to it.
A-U-T-I-S-M. Memorise it, learn a jingle whatever just know it.
For our part in Autism Awareness Day we recruited two charming volunteer helpers who we thanked with a bag of sweets.
With the help of one of our volunteers we organised an outdoor Tombola stall outside the market which the council were very nice in allowing us to do this at short notice because you need to have permission for these type of things you know.
They were helped by other volunteers and raised £100! Which is fantastic considering how cold and windy it was and they were situated in a tunnel area which wasn’t ideal. I did find it funny that a lady bought some tickets and won a fluorescent/glow in the dark cat collar - I have no idea why this was a prize and it really made me laugh because she didn’t have a cat but she took it anyway and said she would find a use for it? The mind boggles!
We ended the week by holding a cake stall inside the shop where a volunteer’s daughter made the most delicious rice krispie cakes and easter biscuits with mini eggs on them. (Easter was at the same time)
We also had gluten free buns, we found out lots of children who came into the shop had to have gluten free food products and one mum was really happy because her little girl misses out on lots of things, so loads of effort from the team and lots of smiley faces :)
It has been a positive year for the shop and going forward I hope it gets even better and people continue to support us.
Ps we now offer Loyalty cards for people that donate so get donating your old clothes and reap the rewards! Oh I do love stamping the cards!
When I first started working for Autism Plus the charity was known, but mainly to families directly connected to Autism and the difference now is that everyone has heard of Autism and wants to learn more, I suppose you could say it’s gone global!
I am happy to announce we now sell funky pin badges in the shops and on Ebay to promote Autism Plus, pin one on to your Barbour jacket - it really adds to it.
A-U-T-I-S-M. Memorise it, learn a jingle whatever just know it.
For our part in Autism Awareness Day we recruited two charming volunteer helpers who we thanked with a bag of sweets.
With the help of one of our volunteers we organised an outdoor Tombola stall outside the market which the council were very nice in allowing us to do this at short notice because you need to have permission for these type of things you know.
They were helped by other volunteers and raised £100! Which is fantastic considering how cold and windy it was and they were situated in a tunnel area which wasn’t ideal. I did find it funny that a lady bought some tickets and won a fluorescent/glow in the dark cat collar - I have no idea why this was a prize and it really made me laugh because she didn’t have a cat but she took it anyway and said she would find a use for it? The mind boggles!
We ended the week by holding a cake stall inside the shop where a volunteer’s daughter made the most delicious rice krispie cakes and easter biscuits with mini eggs on them. (Easter was at the same time)
We also had gluten free buns, we found out lots of children who came into the shop had to have gluten free food products and one mum was really happy because her little girl misses out on lots of things, so loads of effort from the team and lots of smiley faces :)
It has been a positive year for the shop and going forward I hope it gets even better and people continue to support us.
Ps we now offer Loyalty cards for people that donate so get donating your old clothes and reap the rewards! Oh I do love stamping the cards!
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