Woman slams Vinnies for ‘picking and choosing’ through her donation

A Brisbane woman has exposed a “major problem” with modern day op shops after she attempted to donate some clothes to her local Vinnies.

A woman who attempted to donate a bag of clothes to her local Vinnies has exposed what she believes to be a major problem with modern day op shops.

Queenslander Jessy took to TikTok to explain how she had just completed a huge clean out of her wardrobe and rounded up some of her old clothes in order to donate them.

She said that all the threads were good quality, with many designer pieces and some in the collection even being brand new with price tags attached.

But when she went into her local Vinnies, Jessy claims she was confronted by a worker who told her they were not accepting donations – that was until she told him what was in her bag.

Jessy claims the worker at the Vinnies was ‘picking and choosing’ what clothes could be donated. Picture: TikTok / @jessyxsw

She says he then began “picking and choosing” what he wanted from her pile, with Jessy stating that it felt like the worker was “doing her a favour”.

“I’m sorry, but when did donating clothes get so exclusive?” she begins the clip, which has since racked up almost 100,000 views.

“I showed up to my closest second-hand store and the guy was like ‘oh, we’re not really taking donations right now, cause we have too many clothes’.

“Then he said ‘but what have you got though?’. And I said well actually, I’ve got a $200 dress in that pile, I’ve got all branded stuff and it’s practically new.”

Jessy claims that the worker then began “picking and choosing” which of her clothes he wanted, instead of accepting the entire bag.

The Brisbane woman was shocked at what happened at the store. Picture: TikTok / @jessyxsw

“He was like ‘oh we can take it in’ as if he was doing me a favour,” she said.

“Then another lady showed up as I’m putting stuff in the trolley and asked ‘oh is this where we donate?’

“I told her it was, but that the guy was picking and choosing what he wants to take in. Then the guy did not even let her donate her clothes.”

People in the comments were shocked at Jessy’s story, with many sharing similar experiences that they have had with their local op shops.

“I donated five bag of clothes, and when I went to my car I saw them throw it all in the bin 15 minutes later,” one said.

“Salvos did the same and told me to take it all to the tip,” another said. “So much for recycling!”

Many said that they have had similar experiences at op shops. Picture: iStock

“I feel like op shopping has become so elitist,” one added.

Others suggested she donate to other places besides op shops, as they might be “happier” to accept clothes.

“Donate to domestic violence women’s shelters,” one said. “They are always grateful for donations.”

“You should donate to your local church, they will always loves things like this,” another suggested.

“You should call your local mental health inpatient units, we have patient that come in with just the clothes in their back,” one user said. “Most will accept if they have room to store them.”

Many pointed out that op shops like Vinnies are ‘inundated’ with clothes at this time of year. Picture: iStock

Some in the comments blasted Jessy’s “entitled” opinion, saying that op shops are being “slammed” at this time of year and are often “treated like a tip”.

“I work in an op shop and your attitude is incredibly entitled,” one said.

“We get absolutely inundated with donations at this time of year, there is a ton of stuff to sift through and not always enough space for excess.”

“We can’t sell stuff that looks bad. You guys have no idea how much trash gets donated,” another added.

“Dirty undies, soiled sheets, towels, broken toys etc. People use us as a tip and it is disgusting.”

News.com.au has reached out to Vinnies for comment.