“I once opened a donation and found four sets of false teeth”
RETAIL DETAIL
A behind-the scenes look at the e-commerce team
By Mark Money, Driver and Warehouse Assistant
In 2021, the Ayrshire Hospice relaunched its eBay presence during the Covid-19 pandemic to allow for donated items to be sold whilst shops were closed in line with restrictions at that time. Since then, it has become a core part of the Retail team, selling some of the most unique donations given to the organisation by supporters. Stephen from the e-commerce team gives you an insight into just what goes on when donations are handed in to the Hospice shops. “My name is Stephen, and I am the e-commerce assistant manager. As part of the retail team, I’m responsible for selecting items to sell in our eBay shop. Unlike the shops, the items we sell can reach far and wide. The stock we sell is
from our donations and it is the challenge for the retail team and I to find those unusual, valuable and unique items. Discovering a piece of jewellery, or a rare ornament is exciting but that’s just the beginning of the journey. Once I find something that feels special or unusual, I begin to research and discover some background information or its history. Using that information, I then create the item with a full description to list it on eBay and hopefully catch a customer’s eye. Then it’s photographs, which are taken to show the piece at all angles, especially serial numbers, signatures, or any marks it may have for transparency. Sometimes an item may be less than perfect, but its overall worth may outweigh the imperfections.
The world of collectables is exciting and as with anything, fashions come and go. For example, we recently sold a 1990 Sega Master System for a considerable amount even though gaming technology is much more advanced now! In addition to the online selling, I also attend antique fairs each month to sell the more delicate items that we have and it’s a wonderful opportunity to meet the public as day-to-day I mostly speak with customers via emails. When asked “What do you sell in the eBay store?” I really have to say everything and anything - I’ve sold everything from tiny stud diamond earrings to a very large Kayak, thankfully
I have worked for the Ayrshire Hospice for five years now as a Driver and Warehouse Assistant. As part of my role, I arrange deliveries and collections of furniture and work in our Crown Street warehouse where I process donations handed in by local supporters. The best part of my job is meeting people. Sometimes they just want to talk to someone, maybe they have just lost a loved one, or they have lost their dog, whatever it is I am there to lend an ear. My day can be unpredictable. For example, I once opened a bag that was donated
and found four sets of false teeth and six tubes of strident tables all filled with pound coins, that was a great find! Another donator was clearing her late father’s house and said she would drop off donations every second day. On one occasion she handed in books, and when I was processing them, I came across a Bible that contained four love letters dated 1941 from her dad to her mum which I thought was something she should keep. She returned some days later with more donations and when I handed the letters over it transpired that she had never seen or read them before, and in doing so she started crying which started me crying as well! Once I was asked to collect a chair which was stored in a gentleman’s garage.
On arrival, I got talking to him and he asked if we would like some travel trunks which were in his loft, and I agreed to have a look at them. When we arrived in his attic, he directed me to the trunks but also started to show me all his hand-crafted model boats and planes from WW2. He told me he was in the merchant navy and had made the models when he had no duties. I asked why he had joined, and he told me when he was 14 years old he came out of the picture house in Glasgow and two women were talking about a ship that was lost in battle - he approached them to ask what ship and was told it was HMS Hood - a famous warship in WW2 – and within the year he had made the decision to join up. This should have been a 2-minute pick-up, but I was with him for two hours - just don’t tell the boss!
the customer collected it, or I may still be wrapping it in brown paper to this day!”
Changing of the season across the shops Autumn Apparel 2023 launches across all the Ayrshire Hospice 10 shops The Retail team is passionate about the environmental benefits of shopping pre-loved and delivering inspiration take comfort in our warm and friendly shops across Ayrshire.
key fashion pieces at incredible prices. As the leaves turn a golden orange and the temperature drops gently like the leaves from the trees, then look no further for style
from Monday 4th September, welcoming customers who are ready to shop that little bit more sustainably.
Visit one of our shops today and discover the re-discovered.
September 2023 | EDITION 34
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