Barnardo's

Edited for the content regarding understanding- I can fully understand the support charity shops give to those in need, we have many near us who are friendly and caring. This branch, Otley, clearly doesn't have the compassion that the charity stands for. There is a way to speak to people, and passive aggressive comments are not one way. You can understand, care and be friendly. The breakages signs are fine, but the amount is excessive. If I broke an item, as I'm sure anyone would, then I would automatically pay. I won't be returning to the store, and judging by the comments on Trust Pilot as well, others are also not impressed. Charity goods policies - fine! Rudeness and belittling - not fine! _--------------------------------------_----------------------------------- Unfortunately, I had a similar experience as the previous reviewer. We went into the shop to look for some little things for our girl's birthday. We saw an art set and wanted to double check all the pieces were there as sometimes they are not and, as it was for a birthday, it was more important that we checked. I peeled a it of cellophane from the box to check inside. The lady then took it back off the shelf and said to me "I'll have to put more cellophane on this" It was very passive aggressive - we were stunned. She hen continued to stand behind us as we were looking at other toys - very peculiar. We do not recommend this shop and will not be returning. P.s. Perhaps take a few 'pay for breakages' signs down. They are everywhere and sometimes accidents happen, particularly with little ones.

I’ve come across a couple of reviews and felt it important to offer some context, having spent considerable time in this shop and seen how it operates day to day. Items sealed in cellophane are either part of the shop’s official new goods stock—bought in specially for the store—or have been donated brand-new by members of the public. In both cases, they’re treated with care and sold as-is like in any retail store. Opening sealed packaging without staff assistance isn’t considered acceptable practice—whether in a charity shop or any retail setting. If an item is taped and appears pre-loved, staff are usually happy to help check its contents when asked. This happens regularly, and assistance is almost always provided. However, all items are sold as seen, and that policy is clearly communicated—just as it would be in any store, charity shop or not. Regarding the signage around breakages: these are in place due to repeated incidents of damage to stock. The signs are not intended to intimidate, but to encourage mindfulness and respect for the items—many of which are one-of-a-kind and difficult to replace. Unlike traditional retailers, charity shops don’t receive regular shipments of identical stock. Most items are donated as one-offs or bought in as single-time purchases, meaning once they’re gone—or damaged—they’re gone. That’s why extra care is encouraged, and why the team takes such pride in preserving what’s available. 🛍️ A Wider Reminder About Charity Shops and Retail Spaces Charity shops are not there to be taken advantage of. Just like any other retail environment, they deserve respect—from the way items are handled to how staff are treated. A considerable amount of hard work, attention, and love goes into keeping these spaces clean, organised, and welcoming—often with limited resources and unpredictable stock availability. Volunteers and staff give their time and energy to make these shops more than just places to buy things—they’re community hubs, lifelines for families, and vital sources of funding for charitable work. Some comments have suggested that staff don’t always appear friendly or approachable. From my experience, that’s simply not the case. The team works hard to create a respectful, welcoming space for everyone. They’re often juggling multiple tasks, and while they may not always be immediately available, they’re consistently kind, helpful, and committed to supporting customers whenever possible. This response isn’t intended to provoke debate, but to clarify the reasoning behind the shop’s approach. A little understanding goes a long way—and it’s worth remembering that every item sold helps fund vital services for children and families. Supporting charity shops means supporting that mission—and that’s something we can all get behind.

Really rude staff and bad quality clothes and all the toys missing from some of the partsand the staff saying horrible things like font open them I have never seen anything like this before my baby sister was upset because they screwed at her for touching a toy I have never seen anything this appalling Never go there again