DAY 5 | SELLING FAKES IN CHARITY SHOPS - WHAT WOULD YOU DO? | THRIFTING IRELAND | RESELLERS UK

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LOCATION - IRELAND
DAY 135 OF 365
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[@ruudvanbrown]

The reality is that a lot of charity shops just don't have the knowledge to spot fakes. If I spot something which I know is fake, I will sometimes mention it to the manager, particularly if they've priced it high.

[@theluxurypickers]

Which I completely completely understand! And there will always be some that slip through. It’s nobodys fault. It’s was more the sheer number in these window displays, it was surprising. I have mentioned some in the past to employees etc but in most instances goes unheard. Which I also completely understand as we could be anyone just trying to be annoying. It’s a very interesting conversation!

[@Micfri300]

Oh they do trust me😂

[@Crest6680]

Majority of them intentionally sell fakes

[@DrMattiLabbratt]

I do the same thing. I point out the details showing why the item is fake, get my phone out if they’re receptive (all have been so far) and show them links to sites giving info on how to authenticate high end brands. The Charity shops I’ve spoken to have be lovely and appreciated the help, taken my number and rang and asked me to come in and help them when they’re not sure. I genuinely enjoy helping anyone for free as I have a “pay it forward” ethos If I came across a situation where they rejected my help, I would just smile, wish them well and walk away. I certainly wouldn’t “report it” as it’s none of my business X

[@emmasresellingadventures6255]

Great video guys. Re fakes if charity shops are pricing things up they should be authenticating items properly. It’s not fair. At the moment they seem to fall in a black hole. As there prices increase they should abide by the same rules as all retailers. Seen a big increase in no returns on shoes. If your paying a couple of quid fair play but not if they are expecting £20 plus for trainers that could be fake

[@theluxurypickers]

I agree i don’t think as time goes on the ‘it was donated’ or ‘our volunteers couldn’t tell’ works if the prices reflect resale retail or higher. From our perspective we’ve only a handful of times come up against a item priced up in a charity to the point of no resale return no matter the margin. However the increasing number of ‘priced up’ counterfeit items is shocking, that and seeing them on Instagram used as a marketing tool is uncomfortable. I think the ongoing conversation with fast fashion should also be applied to fakes for the same reasons. Side note. UK law if a item is deemed non authentic after sale legally all retail stores have to take a return, that includes broken or faulty goods too.

[@50angeleyes]

I have to agree with the poster. If the charity shop expects to get a premium price for something then they should do their best to authenticate the item. I know they’re a charity but you really can’t ask those high prices if it is possibly fake

[@jewelrescue]

That vintage shop looked great! I like the window display idea but I can’t stand the adrenaline and anxiety of being in a queue wanting something others do too so I’d most likely just not get involved 😂 that’s why I go to the boot sale late too 😂

[@theluxurypickers]

totally understand what you mean, interesting concept eitherway

[@ians4564]

I've gone to quite a few charity shops across parts of Greater Manchester and Yorkshire over the last month or so.. And I was really shocked and upset that staff are that thick and bone idle not being able to spot pirated dvds and cds that they put up for sale for gullible customers to purchase. Once case I came across about 20 dvds and 50 cds all turned out to be fakes and copies! The staff said "the staff don't have the time to check through all the stuff they get donated".. How pathetic.

[@DrMattiLabbratt]

I have come across many fakes in Charity Shops not marked as such. I always point out the item, ask to see it, inspect it thoroughly and tell the manager my suspicions and why. I point out the details showing why the item is fake, get my phone out if they’re receptive (all have been so far) and show them links to sites giving info on how to authenticate high end brands. The Charity shops I’ve spoken to have be lovely and appreciated the help, taken my number and rang and asked me to come in and help them when they’re not sure. I genuinely enjoy helping anyone for free as I have a “pay it forward” ethos If I came across a Charity Shop Manager who disagreed and rejected my suggestion, I wouldn’t take it personally. I would just smile, thank them and walk away. I certainly wouldn’t “report it” as it’s not my place to do so Xx

[@theluxurypickers]

Absolutely. And being able to do this great for the charities. And allows you to also find treasure. I obviously think it’s sometimes hard to hear that items are fake sometimes and that doesn’t stop at charities, it spills into any authentication we do. I wouldn’t either report counterfeit items. It’s not something which is policed in this country so it’s actually a pointless exercise. I don’t agree with selling non authentic items for market value of real items, but like you said would where I can gently let them know.

[@DrMattiLabbratt]

@@theluxurypickers Have you found some Charity Shop staff are genuinely appreciative of the information (especially learning of sound websites with solid authentication information education) as that enables them to avoid future mistakes like this happening? My Local shop have soaked up the new information like sponges and felt empowered by it. Bianca at my local YMCA says she feels like a “Fashion Detective” and just wants to learn more & more 😂😂😂 Love your content btw! Xx

[@Iresellstuff]

Glad to see you back. Excited for the next one!!!

[@theluxurypickers]

Just watched your Instagram haul. Take us to your bootsale please?

[@ShellResells]

I missed you for 65 years 👀

[@theluxurypickers]

Same! 💕

[@rachelkooijenga5497]

Window shopping sounds like an awful idea to me and limits it to the locals rather than the casual shopper/passerby 😢

[@theluxurypickers]

I do agree if your not local you miss out. I suggest people plan special trips to try and make them?

[@mariekfishing]

Vincents is ubiquitous in Northern ireland too. My local one sells the window display after a week but there is a waiting list for the good stuff 😂 In regards to fakes, i'm sure there is some legality with trading standards in Ireland as it is in the Uk. An alternatve point of view is that people get a bargain (fake or not) and charity shops get money so everyone wins i suppose.

[@bwmason5391]

Another point of view is that there are losers in the fake designer items markets. Obviously for the brand itself. Ppl who make, sell or buy fakes knowingly are stealing other ppl’s artistic ideas. Bad karma.

[@balandadnadangg]

As you say in the video, they are charitable organisations, so you can't be too harsh, but I don't really think it is acceptable to sell counterfeit items at a premium price. If you pay, say, less than £5, I think you implicitly accept a risk that a product may be counterfeit, but if it is for sale closer to it's market value, I think they should be making an effort to verify the authenticity like any other business.

[@theluxurypickers]

100%! That’s where it becomes difficult, because they are doing a amazing job, making money for their charities and a lot of members are volunteers. But as retail stores there is a duty of upholding the law to a degree, and protecting the customer If unsure note that, price accordingly. If not authenticate, price even more accordingly and make loads of money for the charity!

[@frankprice7575]

It’s pretty common for charity shops in Ireland to sell their window displays on a particular day, this gives everyone a chance at getting a bargain, it also cuts out the pickers who are usually buying to sell on at huge profits.

[@theluxurypickers]

Yes it’s very interesting I love the concept, it’s fun like a sample sale almost. Do you have any experience going to them? Is it a fair first come, first serve system or a fight of the fittest. What we found most intriguing was the amount of ‘counterfeit’ product, about 90-95% was very obvious cheap reproductions. So obviously absolutely no resale value anyway. Mainly because it’s illegal to resell them in general, but eBay, vinted, Vestaire, depop have a no tolerance policy so it would be even useless to those who attempt it. However I understand the demand for people that want the ‘look’ for cut price. I think it’s something that could be really fun and work well in the uk in some of the more National shops

[@rossmcfarlane6687]

hubby bought a "Hermes" scarf for 50 quid...from " Da Cabinet".on charidee shop...He was more upset than me when we took it to get authenticated, girl was ...so its very pretty but its not a hermes... so yes it hae repercussions

[@bwmason5391]

That 'window sale' thing would never work here. Customers would be super annoyed being told 'come back next Thursday morning'. London shops are too busy and short staffed already to manage a weekly auction like that. Yep, against law here to sell fake designer goods. They know it, but risk selling for whatever they can get for them, to sell stock quickly and reach their daily sales target. They don't have anyone to employed to authenticate, so will say they they 'don't know' if it's genuine. FYI - officially there's 'no bargaining' on prices in shops, but if the individual Manager allows it - it goes on constantly. Don't accept 'no returns', especially if you pay a high price - keep the till receipt and have the name of the staff member who sold it to you. Some shops will only give you store credit for returns, unless the item is 'faulty' - check the policy before you buy. Also check the returns time limit, may be only 14 days or less. Not aware of charity shops sending items to landfill. Heard anything not suitable for the shop, they sell to Recycling Agencies.

[@theluxurypickers]

Agreed. Great points. I think one off sales could work with marketing and advertising for the bigger national chains, I know a couple do it currently. Adds that fun element to the treasure hunt. I think sometimes as humans we forget charity shops are retail shops that although so sell ‘preloved’ have to abide to uk law. I can’t haggle in charity shops I understand if your buying bulk, large large amounts and are a regular with a manager. It’s personally not for us. Yes exactly that ‘rag houses’ or recycling centres unfortunately not everything can be recycled. But rag houses are increasing themselves in popularity for hand picking and bulk buying for reselling which is great for the circular nature of the product!

[@JonSheppardsells]

I Found A fake Chicago Bulls Jersey so I told them on KZbin 😂😂

[@theluxurypickers]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@thetreasurepirate6841]

Fascinating the window shop sale... never seen it in se England. Mind you, the hospice in the weald chazza does hold a 'love your labels lock in' event every few months where you sign up for an evening event of supposedly good stuff. IMHO it's not that good tbh

[@theluxurypickers]

That also sounds like a great idea! I love it. These fun ideas must generate more for the charities though so it’s all very interesting

[@Games.stuff89]

I point out fakes when i see them in the shops most of the time they are grateful, but i have had some rude staff members that could do with a crash course in customer service .

[@theluxurypickers]

Good for you, it’s of benefit to both the customer and the seller.

[@Lomie32]

I would say I agree with you on charity shop fakes, I see so many! Not sure how you control it though as lots of volunteers wouldn’t know the difference but saying that they must have some idea as they price them as designer items if that make sense? It’s also illegal to sell them and they come with a dubious background but I’m not sure destroying them is the answer! I like vintage bootleg t shirts and back in the day I used to buy bootleg music tapes made of live performances but I suppose really bootleg is just fake isn’t it? So, to sum up, I don’t know! 🤣

[@theluxurypickers]

It’s very interesting. I know charity shops have forums and discuss authenticity and I think that’s great. I do think before a massive price tag is popped on to something - paying the authenticity fee on a website or submitting it to someone to authenticate would be advisable. I know you can’t do this with everything so maybe the big boy price tag £150+ There will always been fakes and counterfeits in charity shops because they will always be donated, and I guess if priced the same as a normal t shirt it’s up to the buyer. Bootlegs of a vintage nature is a WHOLE different market as many have large collectors market! Although not authentic, they aren’t pretending to be. Such a great conversation!

[@Lomie32]

@@theluxurypickers authentication is good idea, definitely. There was a charity shop near where I used to live in London that used to make you put your name down on a list for anything in the window but this was some years ago and it wasn’t high end, they just didn’t want to mess up their window displays.

[@pinknylon1121]

When I worked in a charity shop, volunteers weren't allowed to sort or price the donations for this exact reason. As an employee, we spent a lot of time researching anything that might be valuable. We did actually sell the fake items, but priced them very cheaply.

[@SharonMarks-t5e]

Dunnes in uk too

[@theluxurypickers]

Sorry beg my pardon they have Northern Ireland stores. They withdrew from England years ago. And as far as I know didn’t have wales or Scottish stores. And as a Southern Ireland established company I was referencing them as such.

[@philliplowe5476]

Off topic :) what is the knocking noise in the van?

[@theluxurypickers]

Not sure! Could have been boxes banging in the back.

[@stefan8303]

Some fakes are so obvious. Dodgy inner tags, buttons with a factory name on them, poor quality, new tags that are misspelled, blank on one side etc etc. I do wonder if some shops turn a blind eye and try and get away with it. Some I think even purposefully trying to deceive. I get some fakes can be really good but it seems like there's not even basic training. You'd at least think the big charity companies would have it. I find some staff take offence and go in the defensive. I've stopped bothering now but feel bad when I see an expensive item and think an elderly person may buy as a gift etc. I've shown a staff member before how to check a football shirt properly, she then said do you want it a bit cheaper - reminded her it's illegal to sell. Also, a Prada bag in a window that they had written authentic next to the price - it was clearly fake. I told them and they said I was wrong because it came with the authentication card in the little envelope. I give up.

[@theluxurypickers]

Some great points you make and the sad thing is currently nothing is being done to change it.

[@stefan8303]

@@theluxurypickers what has opened my eyes from reselling for a few years is the sheer amount of fakes about. And now I walk down a highstreet and I'm like what they're wearing is fake, what they're wearing is fake, and them and them...

[@Micfri300]

Charity shops know they are selling fakes. However with vinted in the picture charity shops better adjust their pricing and business model or will simply go out of business. I buy most of my stock on vinted has i sell vintage football shirts jackets and coats as well as trainers and find way cheaper on vinted than i do my local charity shops. Has someone who volunteered in oxfam for 4 months working monday to friday 10am to 4pm the level of arrogant ignorance across the management structure in that company means i have absolutely no sympathy for them if they go out of business and close down all their stores. I would rather give 15 quid to donna a mother of 3 kids for a vintage adidas coat than i would £15 to a multinational fake we care about everyone company.

[@theluxurypickers]

Such a interesting point of view from someone who has seen it first hand. And how successful you can be from sourcing as a whole online. Vinted has bought a whole new dimension to not just reselling but selling. It has established itself well, not just for bargains but for undercover resellers getting good prices. Thank you for your comment!

[@Micfri300]

@theluxurypickers the great thing about vinted is that they are gathering a lot of momentum and in Italy for example where my cousin also sells you can sell to France Spain and Portugal(lucky guy). I still feel like vinted are dipping their toes in and if they were to make it legal for resellers even ebay are in a for tough time.

[@theluxurypickers]

@@Micfri300 I didn’t know that! That’s amazing! The ability to have that touch of international sales in amazing!!

[@swiftythrifter6387]

It's brave the way you point out all these fake sellers.

[@theluxurypickers]

@@swiftythrifter6387 we try and open conversations about fakes and the selling of them. Raising awareness to the issue of the resale of fakes and then issues this has on the reseller market as well as the general production issues.

[@karenslittleshop]

I think if it is a fake and they know it the price should reflect that. Not nice feeling that you have been duped!

[@theluxurypickers]

Yes yes, it’s those priced up fakes that hurt. It’s a interesting conversation!

[@stefan8303]

If they know it's a fake it should go in the bin. It's illegal to sell.

[@theluxurypickers]

@@stefan8303 100% however it’s the grey area of knowing if it is or isn’t

[@stefan8303]

@@theluxurypickers I do if in doubt, throw it out. But I can see why they wouldn't want to throw out something that may be valuable. They just need proper training. Surely the larger charities that sell online have specialists.

[@jayneras642]

They need to make buyer aware - possible unauthorised copy as duty of care to customers who have no idea of fakes

[@theluxurypickers]

Yes. If a recognised large luxury brand, unsure on authenticity will do.

[@moonbeam5330]

Saw a pair of fake Adidas Gazelles the other week, I let the manager know they were fake and her response was "yeah that's why their £10" 🙄🙄

[@theluxurypickers]

Ohhhhhh mannnnnn.

[@Shiretops]

Apparently you 2 are bullies and talk about other resellers behind their backs.. and think yiu are better than anyone else.. his words not mine. I like watching your videos and not really bothered..

[@theluxurypickers]

We choose not to engage with people that are negative or spread a false narrative. We only have space for positivity and hard work.