tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post6786077155211170814..comments2024-01-08T22:40:19.118-08:00Comments on The Thrifty Chicks: Why are two major retailers torturing their own trash?Shopping Golightlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04086883816963590796noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-71166674300804687972010-02-03T22:22:56.319-08:002010-02-03T22:22:56.319-08:00Great blog post for this one.
I simply could not...Great blog post for this one. <br /><br />I simply could not understand companies like this one. What are they trying to prove? When there is no difference between trashing all the unsold or rejected goods with giving it away to people who definitely need it. Does charity need to have a limit? What I am trying to say is that, why can't we be more considerate (including the rules from taxes or returns), for the company it's a trash but for those people who need it, it's a gift. <br /><br />I am hoping to jump on for more post like this, comments and more information are needed to open the heart of some people who doesn't care about the needs of others.Debt Reductionhttp://drlawcenter.com/debt-settlement-programnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-42931693583390169642010-01-28T12:24:16.990-08:002010-01-28T12:24:16.990-08:00Great post, I had a friend who used to work at a m...Great post, I had a friend who used to work at a major department store tell me similar stories. <br /><br />On a happier note, I would be honored to let you know that I've awarded you a Happy 101 Award on my Frugal Luxuries blog! I'm just posting now, but thought I'd drop a note to let you know. Thanks so much for your informative blog! <br /><br />Warmly,<br />TraceyTracey McBride ~ Frugal Luxuries®https://www.blogger.com/profile/03043055986653442733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-69990428586653431082010-01-24T22:56:16.366-08:002010-01-24T22:56:16.366-08:00Just to clarify, it wasn't my family name on t...Just to clarify, it wasn't my family name on the t-shirt!<br /><br />But I found it interesting!<br /><br />I didn't know that about home-baked treats at schools; that's sad. We homeschool, so I miss out on a lot of rules like that. I also don't have to worry about putting much gas in my car to take the children to school, though! We are a one-car family, and my husband works from home most days, so we've gone all month on one tank of gas.<br /><br />We'll keep enjoying our homemade treats here!The Prudent Homemakerhttp://www.theprudenthomemaker.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-69976789357280921452010-01-21T12:32:26.365-08:002010-01-21T12:32:26.365-08:00Hi just jumped over here to read this article, gre...Hi just jumped over here to read this article, great blog by the way, and was sickend by what I read but was not totally suprised.<br />My husband use to work for a national drug store chain that threw stuff away at end of season that was left over, my husband would pay 10cents for the kites left over and take them and give them to the kids at our church outreach, these were just plain no frill kites. Then the chain passed down the edict that the could no longer do this and that the manager must dispose of all left overs in the dumpster and make them unsaleable. So he stood outside for an hour breaking kites so no one could fish them from the dumpster adn taking a carpet knife and riping things and then poured paint over everything. My husband watched dumfounded that they would rather do this than give things to people who would appreciate them. <br />Now as to the food taken to school, I love homeade treats for the kiddos, but totally understand where the school is coming from, not everyone is concentious about what they put into the food they bring or practice good higene while making the treats, if one of the children were to get sick the school would be blamed for it. I sadly lament that the days of homemade goodies taken to school are mostly a thing of the past but understand why.<br />Thanks for shareing <br />Jeanie YarbroughJeaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05015460607020778455noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-53732649005023401042010-01-18T16:32:52.811-08:002010-01-18T16:32:52.811-08:00Prudent Homemaker,
Just as I believe that convent...Prudent Homemaker,<br /><br />Just as I believe that conventional retail should be transparent regarding their product cycles, I believe the same of thrift.<br /><br />Neither is perfect, but I undoubtedly believe conventional retail has a lot to hide, whether it is in their product cycles or the tactics and research they do to get people to purchase things they don't really need or even want.<br /><br />I also believe charitable thrift stores need to up public education regarding the behind-the-scenes efforts. Auctioning huge lots to third world countries, or saving shoes for victims of land mines are just quick examples of how charitable thrift stores help the world. <br /><br />We talk of thrift stores in this blog as it pertains to building a much-needed robust reuse market in America. <br /><br />Just as cultural institutions charge gate fees to fund their missions, organizations like Goodwill, use thrift as a fundraising effort. I’ve been to many Goodwill events and the focus is never on the stores but on the people they help and their personal stories to a better life.<br /><br />Perhaps I should write of some personal stories that the profits from thrift gave a happy ending to.<br /><br />When one pulls back and sucks in the big picture, one sees that charitable thrift organizations are quite elegant in their business design.<br /><br />How poignant is it that you met a South American in Switzerland with a t-shirt, probably from some charitable thrift organization, that named your family’s reunion? But also, how poignant it is that this gentleman wore the shirt and didn’t have the “Eww, it’s not new” attitude.<br /><br />I agree that sometimes one uncovers rules that are real head-scratchers. For example, if I wish to bring a treat for my daughter’s class on her birthday, I cannot bake organic pumpkin muffins with minimal and healthy ingredients. I must purchase baked goods from a store that have a mountain of ingredients I cannot even recite.Shopping Golightlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04086883816963590796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-72181944057754274442010-01-18T14:03:30.642-08:002010-01-18T14:03:30.642-08:00Sorry I don't have a printed reference to give...Sorry I don't have a printed reference to give you, because it is my sister-in-law, who works at a local school who told me--and their school used to get donations until this happened, when Walmart let them know why they no longer could do so. She actually coordinates a lot of relief efforts at the school; it is her job, in fact, to take the unclaimed winter coats before Christmas break (all students are notified that they need to pick up their coats) and donate them to a local thrift shop. She recently cooordinated a drive for a family whose father died unexpectedly, and the school let her have a big donation drive for this family.<br /><br />Several boys at our church are doing Eagle Scout projects right now, gathering socks and underwear for schools here. And, yep, they must all be new.<br /><br />On another note:<br /><br />When I lived in Geneva, Switzerland, I met a man from South America who was wearing a t-shirt that had English words on it. What were they? It was (Surname)Family Reunion! <br /><br />So, yes, some places do donate to other countries. I make it a point to donate to a thrift store that I KNOW ships out clothing bundles to third-world countries and emergency relief efforts.The Prudent Homemakerhttp://www.theprudenthomemaker.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-35225994122253943332010-01-18T13:01:57.679-08:002010-01-18T13:01:57.679-08:00Avrila,
As usual, excellent insights.
You are de...Avrila,<br /><br />As usual, excellent insights.<br /><br />You are dead on in noting that not all items donated to thrift stores are worthy of the racks. Who wants to buy a mustard-stained undershirt with brown-stained pits? <br /><br />Also, we are talking apples and oranges. Conventional retailers have choices and purchase new products they order by quantity and can send back if not up to snuff. Thrift stores accept donations of items for reuse and they do not have the option of sending items back to the donor if not up to snuff.<br /><br />Of course I am of the belief that Little Pie is a budding genius. However, at eight years old, she is a mountaineer of 14,000K Colorado summits. One must understand hypothermia to hike these mountains and live to tell about it.<br /><br />Good to hear from you!Shopping Golightlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04086883816963590796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-39879470281001934942010-01-18T12:15:53.168-08:002010-01-18T12:15:53.168-08:00What about someone setting up a charity to buy thi...What about someone setting up a charity to buy things that are going to be destroyed at a very low price (better for the stores than nothing), and redistribute the rescued trash to third world countries and other remote areas where those stores don't operate, so that there's also no competition issue?<br /><br />In the case of Goodwill...I don't doubt that they end up throwing out some stuff. The fact is, not every item that gets donated is going to be picked up by one of us. What we need for that, since the overwhelming majority of it is fabric-based, is a group of charitable crafty people to rework those items into things that someone will want. Waste scraps (and any items that are just ratty in the first) can be torn up for pillow and toy stuffing.<br /><br />Also...I didn't know eight year olds still knew the word "hypothermia." Does anyone else suspect that Little Pie is a mini-genius?Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14586647940752079444noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-43837368421783524632010-01-17T10:36:47.441-08:002010-01-17T10:36:47.441-08:00I read that article and became so steamed. It is a...I read that article and became so steamed. It is a true tragedy that retailers would behave this way. Thank you for sharing this.Deborah Schneiderhttp://mommy-nature.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-41258676221641017912010-01-15T13:46:12.423-08:002010-01-15T13:46:12.423-08:00Now I am starting to think about the waste that my...Now I am starting to think about the waste that my own family generates.<br /><br />We try so hard to recycle our paper, cardboard, glass, plastic, etc.<br />I also try to use cloth rather than disposable items (diapers, wipes, hankies, etc).<br /><br />However, are we bringing in more than we should to begin with? Are we throwing things out before they have lost their usefulness?<br /><br />Shopping, thanks for the wake up call and thanks for the info on what Goodwill here in Denver does with unsold goods!Rachelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00644782619283242771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-20016855891923438102010-01-15T08:23:23.340-08:002010-01-15T08:23:23.340-08:00Here are some url's for some facts on Walmart ...Here are some url's for some facts on Walmart -- our favorite villan:<br /><br />www.be.wvu.edu/divecon/econ/sobel/WalMart/Walmart.pdf<br /><br />http://cafehayek.com/2008/04/wal-mart-fact-1.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-16961687784032866822010-01-15T03:07:22.444-08:002010-01-15T03:07:22.444-08:00Elizabeth,
I need to check with Goodwill. I'm...Elizabeth,<br /><br />I need to check with Goodwill. I'm quite familiar with their final processing site in Denver. Though I cannot speak for them I do know that the final merchandise, after many weeks of sitting on the racks and then going through their clearance center where *everything* is $0.99, they auction off huge lots which mostly go to third world countries. That's why you can go to Bolivia and see a kid wearing a Broncos t-shirt. They even save un-mated shoes for a man who comes in to send the shoes to countries revenged by land mines. Everything else is broken down into the most Bare, recyclable elements and sent to the proper place. <br /><br />Nearly a year ago the Denver Post did a feature on the product cycle at Goodwill. I've been searching their website and cannot find the piece. I'll keep searching. The article is in line with what I know.<br /><br />I understand that every business has waste, but there are several questions to be asked:<br />1) Is this honest waste or can it be reused?<br />2) Regarding this waste, what is the best way to process it that is best for the community? <br /><br />This post was written with a link to a reputable news source and I understand it strikes a cord in us all. <br /><br />Going forward I kindly ask people to cite resources if they are to make a claim. Best to avoid thinking we all have that infamous Neiman Marcus cookie recipe that's been hoodwinking people for over a decade on the Internet.<br /><br />Many thanks.Shopping Golightlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04086883816963590796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-67948791074858888442010-01-14T06:31:52.443-08:002010-01-14T06:31:52.443-08:00I'm going to let you in on a little secret...
...I'm going to let you in on a little secret...<br /><br />Goodwill does this too.<br /><br />It's a shameful shameful, dirty little secret of the retail industry. And thrift stores are just as guilty.<br /><br />A lot of it stems from people dumpster diving, getting hurt, and then suing the store who's dumpster they (voluntarily) dove into. I know someone who lost a sibling to a dumpster tipping on to him. Not a pretty story, but when you think about how people can sue for just about anything under the sun, it seems a silly point to destroy items that just might find their hands into those that could honestly use them.<br /><br />There is a lot that people should be aware of. Another topic to talk about, charitable thrift store preditors. They volunteer to "sort items" and then take the best for themselves.<br /><br />We are a wasteful, wasteful society. If it doesn't change, if we don't start living with morality and environmental consciousness, our children will inherit nothing.<br /><br />Thanks for bring this to attention.<br /><br />Perhaps a solution would be to organize pick up teams that would be willing to bring trucks to pick up whenever and wherever, kind of like how Second Harvest will pick up perishable restaurant supplies for food shelves.Elizabethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17922051288747124518noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-47068517441582152932010-01-13T18:04:12.013-08:002010-01-13T18:04:12.013-08:00Prudent Homemaker,
Can you cite a reference to wh...Prudent Homemaker,<br /><br />Can you cite a reference to what you write of?<br /><br />Thanks,<br />ShoppingShopping Golightlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04086883816963590796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-53924491734312376872010-01-13T17:41:07.502-08:002010-01-13T17:41:07.502-08:00I'm not sure which makes me cry more - the sto...I'm not sure which makes me cry more - the stores deliberately destroying and disposing of perfectly OK goods rather than donating to the needy or the ungrateful needy that the Prudent Homemaker talks of . <br /> Why do those in need believe they are entitled? I've never understood why, when giving, that it must always be new. Isn't functional more important?<br /> We are a middle income family just making ends meet who find no shame in purchasing the bulk of our clothing and some household goods from op shops and even if we did have more money, would continue to do so. There is too much going for it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-28452220530157429342010-01-12T09:07:54.478-08:002010-01-12T09:07:54.478-08:00Here is part of the problem:
Locally, our Walmart...Here is part of the problem:<br /><br />Locally, our Walmarts could donate returned items (specifically opened packages of socks and underwear that were returned) to those in need. This is a real need here; we have at least one school in town where the children go without socks or underwear to school. Their needs used to be met by donations on returned, opened packages from local retailers (Walmart and Target).<br /><br />Unfortunately, those who received these items--for free--were not happy enough with them. Instead of gratitude, they sued, for various reasons. They sued those who gave them much needed clothing for free. The retailers had to stop giving out free clothing to those in need.<br /><br />So, though I think the clothing could be donated to thrift stores--and should be--we should also be aware of the sin of ingratitude from those who bit the hand that clothed them, making it impossible for stores to help others.The Prudent Homemakerhttp://www.theprudenthomemaker.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-91156641835704294032010-01-11T20:02:45.210-08:002010-01-11T20:02:45.210-08:00Don't this company realize that their name cou...Don't this company realize that their name could be destroy? But other than that, why would they think that people will going to buy something just because they are on sale? Yeah right, they are on sale just because no one wants it anymore. Donating it to less fortunate people? why not...Or should we remind them of the feeling when you are helping others.John at Cell Phone Recyclinghttp://www.pacebutler.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-16729588263375297592010-01-11T17:21:29.347-08:002010-01-11T17:21:29.347-08:00Retail redemption? Think boycott.Retail redemption? Think boycott.Daisyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11647906900944224234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-46004318787297420142010-01-11T12:51:54.359-08:002010-01-11T12:51:54.359-08:00I read the NY Times article. Horrible. We have c...I read the NY Times article. Horrible. We have charities in Michigan that are begging people to donate coats, mittens, boots, etc. because the demand for such things is enormous. Now, how does it make sense for me to buy a pair of gloves to donate to charity when big retailers, in my community, could easily do it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-22957514223073544972010-01-11T08:47:23.398-08:002010-01-11T08:47:23.398-08:00Unfortunately, this practice is all too common. :...Unfortunately, this practice is all too common. :(<br /><br />Places like Walgreens and Ulta have been destroying their unused and returned (yet never opened) merchandise for years. It's sickening that tons of toiletries like soap and shampoo are emptied and their bottles trashed every week. Those products could be doing so much good at a homeless shelter or the like.This Thrifted Lifehttp://thisthriftedlife.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-55360610320962980282010-01-10T21:09:20.664-08:002010-01-10T21:09:20.664-08:00This makes me want to cry. It's really upsetti...This makes me want to cry. It's really upsetting. I'm glad you drew our attention to this article - thank you.Saver Queenhttp://saverqueen.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-41152462593273422032010-01-10T09:38:11.936-08:002010-01-10T09:38:11.936-08:00Anonymous,
There in is a serious problem. WalMart...Anonymous,<br /><br />There in is a serious problem. WalMart ran out all the mom and pop stores that DID care about and know their customers and the economic health of their immediate community. These were the businesses that took action to ensure there was health and balance in their community because if there wasn't, well, no business.<br /><br />At some point, there needs to be concern for the customer else they lose the customer for a variety of reasons. <br /><br />I might sound like a Utopian, but I believe what I write.Shopping Golightlyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04086883816963590796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-15131281543693611552010-01-10T09:16:09.044-08:002010-01-10T09:16:09.044-08:00I don't know about other companies, but with W...I don't know about other companies, but with Wal-Mart it is simply about payroll. It is eaiser to destroy the clothes than mark out the name brand on the clothing. If it is destroyed there is not chance someone will try to bring it back. Destroying the merchandise saves them payroll for no less than four associates when someone tries to bring it back. I am not defending them, just telling you how they see it. And as I said profit is the bottom line. They are not in business to help people, but to make money. Sad, wrong, wasteful but the reality of retail.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-77916615213094198752010-01-09T18:56:22.312-08:002010-01-09T18:56:22.312-08:00i READ ABOUT HOW H&M DID THIS IN NEW YORK. IT...i READ ABOUT HOW H&M DID THIS IN NEW YORK. IT MAKES ME SICK TO KNOW THEY COULD CARELESS ABOUT THE NEEDY. ITS ALL ABOUT THEIR OWN POCKET.PaperCameraScissorhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08447861173570570926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9051113577658386956.post-88101991352709952292010-01-09T13:51:36.947-08:002010-01-09T13:51:36.947-08:00i used to work for wbss (warner bros) and all '...i used to work for wbss (warner bros) and all 'hard good' were tobe distroyed. shipping glass/metal/heavy things just werent worth it. but we did send all clothing to a central location for a 'warehouse' type store. i think we blacked out the tags or something so that no one could return them to real stores...although many dishonest people tried. <br />i also read this story and thought it was crazy that they would just dump them in view! like they wanted to be caught...i bet heads rolled when this story went out...the thrifty bahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00473894791667278305noreply@blogger.com