Not Very Charitable Expectations, Part 2
I work in a small charity shop selling clothes and other goods. We all work hard to make it look nice, but it’s pretty obvious everything is second-hand. A customer comes in and browses for a while, and then comes to the counter with a child’s ride-on toy with the usual marks from use.
Customer: “This is a bit dirty.”
Me: “Yes, we’ve cleaned it up but those marks wouldn’t come off.”
Customer: “The wheels are all marked up, too.”
Me: “Yes, it’s been used, so they will be.”
Customer: “Oh, this has been used? Can I get one from the back?”
Me: “Sorry, this is the only one; we don’t have stock or anything.”
Customer: “Well, when are you getting more in? I’m not buying a used one.”
Me: *Pause* “You do realise this is a charity shop?”
Customer: “Well, of course, I do. It says on the front.”
Me: “Everything here is donated; it’s all second-hand.”
Customer: “It’s… what? What do you mean?”
She looks around, confused.
Customer: “You’re selling for charity.”
Me: “People donate things to us. Sometimes we’re lucky and get things that are pretty new-looking, but everything here is used.”
Customer: “So… you don’t sell anything new?”
Me: “Er. No. Sorry.”
Customer: “Oh, right. Sorry, then. I don’t want this… I didn’t know how this all worked.”
She left the toy on the counter and walked out, still looking a bit confused. Seriously, even if you’ve never been in a charity shop before, it’s pretty obvious that nothing is brand new!
Related:
Not Very Charitable Expectations
