[Hartley118]

I assist with valuation and pricing of technical items for a local charity shop. Most such items tend to be cameras and binoculars. In order to avoid subsequent customer complaints, I carry out a functional check for jammed shutters, damaged lenses etc. I'll then base a price on typical eBay sold prices, but recognising that a feasible price in a charity shop may be only, say, 60-70% of that achieved on eBay and perhaps 30-50% of that charged by a specialist dealer who will also generally offer a warranty. Otherwise, why would customers come to charity shops?

I'm reassured that my approach generally results in timely sales and no 'skipping'. I have of course got my own personal 'skip' for items that are worthless without a repair. Some call it the 'round tuit' shelf!

Part of the job of course is to look out for the odd valuable Leica or Rolleiflex which would then be sold separately through a specialist dealer or auction house. Interestingly, I don't think I've ever come across a valve radio: this Ekco would be a real rarity, perhaps originating in a house clearance. That would present me with a real problem because of the safety issues: maybe cutting off the mains lead and selling as 'for decoration only' would be a solution.

Like I'm sure many other forum members, I'm of course also a regular customer of charity shops myself and have noted curiously random pricing, mainly through ignorance. Or sometimes, particularly with vinyl records, it'll be clear that they've called in an 'expert-with-a-book' and set high prices that only a specialist dealer could be expected to achieve. That's frustrating because the volunteer at the counter rarely has price-negotiating authority. If it's something I really want, then I may sometimes pay the price whilst convincing myself that the excess is at least going to a worthy cause.

Martin