Barnado's Donation Centre

Amanda Wallace
2 Star
Went in the Walkden branch of the children's store today with my 3 yo, we made our purchase which cost 20 quid the lady at the til had the audacity to ask if we wanted to donate another 50p the cheek of it I've just donated 20 quid and you made a 20 quid profit on summat donated for free. Alot is massively overpriced especially the 2nd hand clothes, a h and m top priced at 8 quid? Out of touch with reality.
Saturday 4th May 2024

Jane A
5 Star
I've never had a problem with donating, even when it's been right at the end of the day, and the staff have always been polite. I also like receiving their occasional emails informing me of how much my donations have made for the charity.
Thursday 25th January 2024

Karen Storr
2 Star
I took 2 full bags of decent laundered clothes and 2 bags of ceramics and ornaments in on 14th Nov approx 3pm. I struggled to carry the bags in and then said I have some more. No one spoke. I put the remaining bags down and was completely ignored. I said, is no-one going to say thankyou? The woman came to the front and said, do you want to do gift aid? A customer looked up with a knowing nod. No thank you said I and walked out. A thankyou was all that was needed. I will take my donations elsewhere in future.
Tuesday 14th November 2023

Josephine Wilson
5 Star
Just want to say what an amazing job the staff have done in store, it’s gone from a dumping ground to an organised, clean and cheerful charity shop. Well done 👏
Saturday 23rd March 2024

Kay Mccloskey
1 Star
I made the following complaint on 21st January, and again on 29th March and have had no reply. I won't be shopping or donating here ever again. To whom it may concern. I would like to submit a complaint against a member of your team, called Maria, based at your Walkden store in Manchester, M28 3BT. Today, my 73 year old grandma had gone into the store to look for a tea pot. There were 2 teapots. One was in pristine condition and quite large. The other was smaller, less pristine with tea stains and brown water left inside, but still in good condition. Both were priced at £2.50. My grandma had gone over to the counter to see a lady (Maria) crouched behind the till and said excuse me to get her attention. Maria said "wait a minute" and continued with whatever it was she was doing, and then turned to another employee and started explaining which bags were ready for distribution. After she had finished she turned to my grandma and asked "yes?" To which my grandma replied "I have noticed you have 2 teapots, but one" and Maria instantly cut her off said quite abruptly "the prices are set" my grandma explained that she understood, however one was much smaller and not as clean and would be willing to pay 50p less if she could take it. Again, Maria replied "No, the prices are set" in an extremely rude tone. My grandma decided to shop elsewhere. As she was leaving the store, a man was bringing bags of donations into the store and without even asking anything Maria shouted across the shop "we don't accept toys!". The man replied that he had spent all morning organising the bags and did not appreciate being spoken to like that. Maria again just said "well we don't accept toys". The man was agitated (and rightly so, her attitude is appalling for the face of a charity) and asked for her name. She refused to give it but her colleague answered and told us it was Maria. I wonder if her colleague is as fed up as your customers with her attitude. Anyway, the man said he would take his donations elsewhere, and took his bags out of the shop. Usually I would not complain about something like this, but I have had previous encounters with her in the past and have not shopped in bernados for over 13 months because of her attitude. I had 6 bin bags of childrens and womens clothes, books etc. I had taken the bags in one by one, she watched me, and when I'd brought my last one in, she said they weren't accepting donations. I asked why, she said "we're just not, can you not read the sign". I had not seen any sign on my way in but did see it on the way out, but I had to look for it. I took my bags to an animal charity instead who were more than grateful for the donations. Manners cost nothing. She has absolutely no customer service skills at all. Today she lost 2 customers that I witnessed with my own eyes, and lost me as a customer 13 months ago. It's a massive shame as I used to shop there every month and your other colleagues have always been so lovely. I even told a lady once I didn't bring all my donations because I didn't want to overload them and she told me not to worry as its the distribution centre. I don't know what Maria's problem is but I won't be visiting or donating again while she is employed for your charity. Please can this be investigated.
Thursday 6th April 2023