gold/ jewelry for cash

[Meg 50]

in a charity monthly newsletter I found an envelope for 'recyclingforgoodcauses'.

A friend who also received one from the same charity has steam coming out of her ears about it.


So often one reads about these organisations being one huge scam - giving poor valuations and only passing on a small percentage to the charity.

the other worry is that the envelopes supplied are very flimsy, so hardly secure.



Does anyone know anything about this one?

I have contacted the charity and they assure me its pukka ( but of course they would.........)

[david63]

Have you checked with Trading Standards?

[Boris+]

I think that I would take any unwanted jewellery (I should be so lucky!) to one of the valuation type places in the shopping centres and get cash and then donate that cash to a charity - I would feel more at ease with that.

Be careful Meg.

Em

[Meg 50]

I think that I would take any unwanted jewellery (I should be so lucky!) to one of the valuation type places in the shopping centres and get cash and then donate that cash to a charity - I would feel more at ease with that.

Be careful Meg.

Em

it's not me I'm worried about - I don't have anything to dispose of - it's little old ladies thinking that they're doing the charity a favour when there might be a better way.

I'm more inclined to go with your way too

[Meg 50]

Have you checked with Trading Standards?

how?

ta

[Silver_Shiney]

If you are happy with all the proceeds to go to charity, I would take it into a charity shop and let them sell it.

[Meg 50]

this particular charity doesn't run shops, but yes ,there must be safer ways.

They say they'll come back to me with figures of amounts raised in this manner

[david63]

Have you checked with Trading Standards?

how?

ta

Start here

[Gill W]

Also look on the Charity Commission website, all registered charities should have their details on that website.

Also, if it is a registered charity the envelope should include their Charity Commission registration number

[Meg 50]

Gill, it isn't a charity - it says it is collecting for charity and the envelope has a charity's name on it. If you need a supply of extra envelopes it says to name the charity

[Meg 50]

Have you checked with Trading Standards?

how?

ta

Start here

Thanks D63

[Silver_Shiney]

Gill, it isn't a charity - it says it is collecting for charity and the envelope has a charity's name on it. If you need a supply of extra envelopes it says to name the charity

I would want to know what their "cut" is. It's beginning to smell a funny colour to me......

[Meg 50]

precisely

[Silver_Shiney]

if your gut reaction is one of suspicion, stick with that

[Meg 50]

indeed, but what is worrying is that others are being 'duped' by it and the charity is missing out.

Hopefully we can get someone higher up to look more closely. Saying that a cheque for £100 is wonderful - isn't wonderful if the 'stuff' was worth £500 in the first place!

[johnds]

This seems no different to the vast number of envelopes we get through the door appearing to be for a named charity asking you to fill a bag for clothes. On closer examination this is usually a scam as these are commercial outfits who are offering to donate miniscule amounts to the charity. We always avoid but when you go down the street there are neighbours who fall for this every time. The charities themselves are not without blame if they enter into these arrangements which amount almost to deception. As for the gold idea, nice scam but leave well alone

[Kendhni]

There was an article on TV a few weeks back that was talking about hundreds of thousands of bogus/replica charity bags/inserts arriving in the UK ready for distribution.
O think you are right to be suspicious - simply check with the charity involved to see if they have sanctioned a collection by a third party.

[Gill W]

They have a nice looking website, but no Charity Commission website number in the small print at the bottom.

For me, that's the golden rule in deciding whether to donate anything. No Charity Commission number, then they are not a charity and they don't get my money/items.

I think a report to the Local Trading Standards office would be in order.

If there is anything untoward going on, maybe they can be stopped.

[Meg 50]

There was an article on TV a few weeks back that was talking about hundreds of thousands of bogus/replica charity bags/inserts arriving in the UK ready for distribution.
O think you are right to be suspicious - simply check with the charity involved to see if they have sanctioned a collection by a third party.

Yes, they have sanctioned it and I know money is getting through.

It seems to be reputable (or as far as this kind of thing can be) - they are registered with Companies house and up to date with filing stuff. I can find no complaints about them online

It's the morality that bugs me - that people are donating stuff with no idea of its value and therefore no idea if they are getting a good return.
And how much is the cut of the third party company?