ITEMS WE CAN'T ACCEPT

Please note, unfortunately there are some items we can't accept as donations due to health and safety and legal reasons.  

We always try our best to sell items which have very kindly been donated to us, however we must also take into consideration any potential risks to staff and customers. This means that on some occasions there will be items we cannot accept.

Please check the list below or contact any of our shops to find out more.  

Furniture and Homeware

The most important thing to consider when selling furniture and homeware is if the item is flammable. Unfortunately we cannot sell anything that doesn't have a safety label or instructions. This includes: 

• Upholstered furniture without a fire label
• Furniture with unsafe missing parts 
• Furniture that is damaged, including damaged upholstery 
• Furniture with glass that does not have a kite mark or tempered glass
• Candles without instructions and safety notice
• Duvets and pillows (unless they are in their original packaging)
• Soiled/dirty mattresses
• Roller or venetian blinds (unless they are in their original packaging with safety instructions included)

Safety Equipment

These are items which are intended to keep people safe. We are unable to guarantee that second hand safety equipment is fully protective or has not been previously damaged, and therefore there is some equipment we may not be able accept. This includes: 

• Safety helmets or crash, cycle and riding hats
• Climbing equipment
• Buoyancy aids, life jackets and inflatable dinghies
• Any mobility items such as wheelchairs, walkers and bath aids

Sports Equipment

We are able to sell non-electrical sports equipment which is new and has instructions. We must consider that many items can cause damage if not in perfect working order or if not used correctly. We are also unable to test large electrical items of equipment for safety so cannot accept these as donations. This includes: 

• Exercise bikes
• Rowing machines
• Running machines 
• Cross trainers 

Electrical Items

We can PAT test and sell some electrical items, however for safety reasons we are unable to sell the items listed below: 

• Laptops, personal computers and tablets 
• Electric blankets 
• Sunbeds and tanning equipment 
• White goods and microwaves 
• Personal hygiene items such as shavers and foot spas (unless they are in their original packaging and have not been opened)
• Any power tools
• Mobile phones

Please note, we do not have the facilities to ensure that laptops, computers and tablets are wiped of personal data so these cannot be sold. 

Power tools cannot be sold either as we are not able to guarantee that all parts are working and safe for use. 

Media

It is our shop policy not to resell items that have age classification. However, we can accept DVDs to forward on for recycling to raise money. 

Children's Items

We are unable to sell items which may be unsafe for children, including: 

• Cot bumpers, cot mattresses and pram mattresses 
• Children’s pillows 
• Cribs, cradles and reclined cradles 
• Carrycots and stands 
• Table mounted chairs 
• Playpens, baby baths, baby door bouncers and baby walkers 
• All inflatable armbands and rings worn as floatation aids 
• Toys without a CE mark  
• Skateboards and roller skates 
• Shoes (pram shoes with a soft bottom and brand new unworn shoes can be sold) 
• Clothing with hood cords 
• Nightwear and fancy dress items not labelled as fire resistant 
• Car seats and booster seats 
• Child seats for cycles

Sharps and Weapons

We cannot sell dangerous items for legal and safety reasons. This includes:

• Sharp knives (excluding cutlery)
• Swords 
• Crossbows or catapults 
• Guns or realistic replica toy guns 
• Ammunition 
• Sharp gardening tools 
• Any other weapons 

Please note, you can dispose of sharps or weapons via your local police station.

Other

• Chemical items 
• Any medications 
• Smoking related items, including ashtrays 
• Hot water bottles 
• Any gas or petrol appliances 
• Unsealed cosmetics and toiletries 
• Food or perishables 
• Counterfeit items 
• Military uniforms with names or company branded uniforms 
• Motor vehicles or car parts 
• Grossly offensive and/or discriminatory material 

Ivory and Fur

We do not sell or take donations of ivory or real fur.

If you have any questions about what donations we can and cannot accept, please get in touch.