News: Charity shop sells £1,200 bike for £10

[CarZee]

www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/news/story.html?in_review_id=622910&in_review_text_id=592999

heard this on Radio4 first thing - nothing like a good chuckle to get the day started

quote:A woman who left her prized £1,200 bicycle by the counter in a charity shop while she tried on a outfit, emerged from the changing room to discover it had been sold for £10.

Emily Harris, 26, took her beloved customised Centurion bicycle into the shop because she feared it would be stolen if she left it outside.

After trying on clothes in a British Heart Foundation shop in Nicolson Street, Edinburgh, she was shocked to find the bike had been sold to another customer.

The shop's assistant manager Jean Prentice thought it had been left as a donation.

Miss Harris, from Alaska, said she was distraught over the loss of the cycle and is appealing for its return.

Mrs Prentice apologised and said Miss Harris was "understandably upset".

Hello? Police?

[mattjbatch]

Does anyone else get treated with contempt when they donate something to a charity shop? Or is it just me?

[ap_smith]

I do when I try to donate the missus.

[Richard92c2]

quote:
I do when I try to donate the missus.

They wont take yours either huh, Tried the Salvation Army?

[AJLintern]

I just can't believe anyone could be so stupid! Why did they sell it for £10?? could have got at least £50 for it!

>> Edited by AJLintern on Tuesday 25th June 09:57

[ap_smith]

I tried the Army, actually. I thought she could cure all of Kosovo's problems, but it seems they don't want her either.

[GregE240]

CarZ - Quality

There's a bit more to this as well - I only heard the quote in passing on 5 Live this morning - apparently the girl has been all over the world on it, and made a really funny comment:

"The bike's my entire way of life. If he doesn't give it back the karmic ramifications could be terrible. I don't deserve this, I haven't been bad."

[CarZee]

Ooohhhh the feng shui

I've been thinking of buying a bike actually - might go and nick one, take it into a charidee shop and offer them a tenner for it

[nigelbasson]

"Do you want it in a bag dear? Nice bag bag that dear...I should charge you extra for that bag dear. Ohh, no need to be rude dear!"

[Roadrunner]

I was just about to mention the League of Gentlemen!!

[nevpugh308]

?!?

Erm, last time I looked, wasn't it illegal to sell someone else's property ?!?

If not, I know a nice Cerbie which you can have for 500 quid .... just give me the money, and the car's sat outside my mate Trefor's house .... you can pick it up from there !

[trefor]

Slight flaw in your plan Nev. Mine's a Chimaera, not a Cerbera

I seem to recall you being involved in trying to sell one of my cars for 50p once ... remember the revolving LED sign in the window when we wuz students? Still, nobody bought it even at that price.

[philshort]

quote:karmic ramifications

oh yes she does!

[gnomesmith]

A nice change from Ha##@$ds selling a £10 bike for £1200.(allegedly)

[markqelise]

Yep - its only theft if you intend to deprive the owner of it permantly

[nevpugh308]

Chimaera, Cerbera .... what's the difference .... they're both made of reinforced cling film and come from Blackpool .....

[Neil Menzies]

Was on the radio again this morning. The charity shop didn't even give her the £10...

[JohnL]

quote:
Was on the radio again this morning. The charity shop didn't even give her the £10...

I think if it had been me and they'd tried to give nme the £10 I'd have ... responded with irritation, let's say.

Has she complained tot he police? Would seem a sensible course of action. On the other hand - did she actually say to the assistant that she was going to leave it there for a bit, was that OK?

If not - well, it doesn't make it OK but it's a little like leaving your fat wallet on the dashboard.

[JSG]

Well according to the orig BBC (Bicycle Bought Cheap) story the charity said they would replace it - what with I wonder?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/scotland/newsid_2063000/2063503.stm

[CarZee]

quote:Well according to the orig BBC (Bicycle Bought Cheap) story the charity said they would replace it - what with I wonder?

A cardigan with football buttons, a pair of brown zip up boots with the furry lining and a mills & boon paperback last seen in 1976..