Most people who know me, are aware that Oxfam are my least favourite charity (at least in part because of their rampant destruction of the book trade). The local Oxfam Bookshop have almost managed to bankrupt us, but I am still hanging on in there. I had two conversations with the manager of the bookshop.
In the first, he was bemoaning his lot - having to deal with so many donations of useless books - "And they know they are useless - they shouldn't be donating them to us - we only want saleable books". Apparently I didn't understand how hard it was dealing with this each day. I pointed out, that most of the people donating to him, have already tried to get money from me for the same books, and are outraged when I can't pay for them - so yes, I understand, but think he is being ungrateful. As a seriously struggling bookshop, we would love to be able to take several hundred pounds of income each day from purely donated books - but sadly - we have to pay for every book we get.
The second phone call was because a woman had arrived with a pile of saleable books - but they didn't have room to take them in. I thought he was about to suggest we received them - but no, he wanted to know if i had the phone number for another book charity that operates on the towm - as he felt they were good enough for them to make a fair bit from them.
My face feels as if it has been well and trully rubbed in it !!!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
8 comments:
Hi from a Bookseller in Birmingham.We have seem to have the same type of punters here ! And Oxfam sometimes have the cheek to phone us & ask for a free valuation.
Also why do people refuse my modest offers for very average books,saying " i'll rather give em to Oxfam !
I think they believe the hype - and think that their books may do some good by going to Oxfam (If only they looked at Oxfam's accounts !) Bless them.
My local Oxfam has a polite notice saying
"Book donations should be in as new condition,please do not leave well read books outside as its costing us alot to dispose of them "
Small world. Mitchell Mutt, are we talking about the Oxfam bookshop in C* Street? If so, I'm sorry to say my brother-in-law works as an assistant there. I think he's truly sold out to the opposition...
The very Same street and shop. The manager there used to work for me -which is where I get my information about their business model. Pah.
Like I said, very small world. You might know him by sight: this is him. He just retired, but I've no idea what made him want to go into that particular line of volunteer work. Next time I see him I'll guilt-trip him about it.
Ah yes, I recognise him. He seems a nice enough chap - he probably knows me as the chap who comes in to see the manager and complain vast amounts about the Evil Empire. You must rib him for going over to the Dark Side.
I like a "well read" book myself. Like to think about all the people who have enjoyed reading the same words I am now reading. So long as the pages aren't all falling out.
And I love a good second hand bookshop. There are always treasures lurking there somewhere.
Post a Comment