A shopper was left in disbelief after a charity shop refused to cut the price on a £6 coat for a pensioner who wanted to buy it. According to the account, the observer, a resident of the Sutton Coldfield area, was present in the unspecified store when he witnessed an elderly gentleman, purportedly in his 80s and donning a light coat, requesting a discounted price.
The man, who posted on a Birmingham neighbourhood site, said the shop refused – claiming the item had “just come in”, reported Birmingham Live.
A young man who also witnessed the scene then stepped in and bought the coat for the old man. The Good Samaritan wished him “Merry Christmas” and then left the shop, it was said.
The man wrote: “What is going on with these charity shops? I visited one yesterday as I’m always looking for a useful bargain and aiding charity.
“But had my eyes opened when an elderly couple at least in their 80s asked if they could reduce the price of an overcoat from £6 to make it a little more affordable. Only to be told. We can’t reduce it as it’s only just come in.
“Surely it’s a gifted item and would have been a sale for the charity. The gent only had a light coat on.
“This young man bought the coat and gave it to the elderly man, wished him a merry Xmas and left. I don’t recall seeing him enter the shop.”
Many of the responses praised the Good Samaritan’s kind gesture. One said: “What a lovely gesture by the young man, I would have done the same.
“We are always shocked at some of the prices in charity shops as, as you say, all the items are gifted so any money is better than no money at all! Plus aren’t charity shop there to not only help the charity but also help those who are struggling so much these days?”
